Interview with Author Reza Kahlili
A few weeks ago I had the privilege of interviewing Reza Kahlili, author of “A Time to Betray.” His book impacted me on a number of levels, what with its succinct portrayal of a struggling Iran and America’s controversial role in the country’s development. This book afforded me a new perspective on diplomacy and war, and it reminded me not to take advantage of our personal freedoms. As such, I wanted to reach out to Reza and learn more about his journey, his book and how he feels about the current state of Iran.
NAT: Tell me a little about “A Time to Betray.” What inspired you to put your thoughts in print? Why now?
RK: The same reason that had me do what I did in the first place got me into this again. You see, the desire for a free Iran never left me. After I ended my collaboration with the agency—out of frustration over US policies toward Iran—I started to live a normal life. However, I was never happy seeing Iranian people continue to suffer under such a brutal regime. After 9/11 and the rise to power of Ahmadinejad, I became more convinced that I needed to get my message out with the hope of effecting change in US policies regarding Iran. I have been working on the book since late 2006, and I started putting out articles from July 2008.
NAT: What do you want readers to get out of this book? Is there one thing in particular you’d like them to take away?
RK: I want them to come away with the fact that Iranians have been wanting the same things that we Americans taken for granted; namely, freedom and democracy. I want them to see Iran as a nation of people suffering under a brutal regime, as opposed to seeing them as a nation of fanatics. I also wanted to show readers that America, even though they’re the defender of democracy and freedom, doesn’t always do the right thing, and they often sidestep principles for greed. As a result, many innocent lives are lost.
NAT: Throughout your book, you touch on the differences between the US and Iran, namely that of lifestyle, religious and ideological freedoms. In your opinion, how far has the US come in regard to better understanding the Iranian culture, its people and colorful history? Are we in a “better place” today than we were 30 years ago?
RK: That’s a very good question, and that is exactly why I wrote this book. I felt that Americans still don’t have a good understanding of the people of Iran. Unfortunately, people had to die in front of cameras for people to see that not all Iranians raise their fists and shout “Death to America!” I hope my book helps paint a clearer picture of our culture, desires and aspirations.
NAT: So much has happened in the past few decades. In your opinion, what steps can the US take to further improve its relationship with Iran?
RK: The first thing that has to happen is for US politicians to realize that the only way forward in the betterment of relations is to support the aspirations of the Iranian people. They have to realize that no amount of negotiations with the radical-ruling Iran will get anywhere. We have to help the people in order to change the government. Iranians have always been more westernized than others in the region, and they want nothing else but to re-establish that and get rid of this radical minority who have taken them, and the world, hostage.
NAT: You’ve experienced so much loss and hardship, all due to people’s inability to resolve conflicts peacefully. In your opinion, why is war so accessible, and how could it be avoided?
RK: War has always been an easy tool humans use to resolve their issues. Power, greed and a desire to rule has been with us since our creation. However, it can be avoided. I have mentioned this in many of my articles. The West needs to cut all diplomatic ties, expel all Iranian officials, corner the country and vocally support the people of Iran. Once they see that we are serious, the people will be emboldened and the regime loyalists will jump ship. Only then will there be a big crack in the establishment. People will be empowered and the regime will fall. Instead, we are more interested in war, more diversion and destruction, which would create more demand and inflow of new oil money to rebuild the same country that we destroyed!
NAT: What has your harrowing experiences taught you about the human condition? About personal freedoms? About yourself?
RK: Freedom is priceless— being able to speak freely, to communicate, to debate and to share ideas are the essence of progress. All humans should benefit from that, and as we can see, those without these freedoms live in tyranny. The founding fathers of America were brilliant in what they left for all humanity to see and practice. We must defend those rights, even if it is by merely talking about it openly and calling out evil. The evil empire of the Soviet Union and communism was not defeated by war; it was the belief by our courageous leaders calling it out, giving hope to millions of people and finally bringing freedom to them, that made the world a better place to live in. This is the same concept that defeated slavery, segregation, apartheid, ethnic cleansing and more. We have to protect human dignity in every corner of the world for the progress of humanity and its future.
NAT: If you could, would you do it all over again? If so, why?
RK: I have thought about this a lot, and even though I have had a lot of mixed emotions, I would do the same thing if I had to do it all over again. Fighting injustice, fighting for the rights of innocent human beings, and fighting for freedom is what we need to do in any way that we can.
NAT: What’s next for you?
RK: Well, I hope to return home one day soon, if only just to see a free Iran. I’d love to visit Naser properly, sit by his grave and tell him that his effort, his passion and compassion for his country, finally, have been answered, and that Iran is free from cruelty and injustice. Until then, I am eagerly trying to make my voice heard.
To buy Reza’s book, “A Time to Betray,” click here.
