Iran's Resurgent Resistance: Bipartisan US Delegation Visits with MEK at Ashraf 3

In a book titled Iran's Resurgente Resistance, Professor Ivan Sascha Sheehan, an anti-terrorist scholar and leading authority on US policy towards Iran, talks about a journey made by a bipartisan delegation of senior US officials which consent in-depth knowledge of the Iranian Resistance community.

The trip took place in Ashraf 3, Albania, home to several thousand members of the main Iranian opposition group, People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI), also known as Mujahedin-e Khalq or MEK Iran.

 

In this book, Professor Sheehan points out that U.S. officials are not usually able to understand the nature, temperament, disposition and designs of the Iranian regime. Sheehan explains that Iran's main opposition to the clerical government has been falsely represented in Washington and claims that Iran's dissident community is best placed to bring about democratic change. The author disputes the false narratives passed by the regime's illiberal apologists, examines the opposition's request for a democratic future and supports the need for a more effective US policy towards Iran.

The book is praised by former senior leaders from the intelligence community, the Department of Internal Security, the Department of Defense and the United States Department of State.

This timely book presents a preface by Senator Joseph Lieberman (former Democratic candidate for vice president); an introduction by former Senator Robert G. Torricelli (D-New Jersey) and Ambassador Robert G. Joseph, Ph.D. (former Undersecretary of State for arms control and international security); and an afterword by Colonel Wesley Martin (former high counter-terrorism officer for all coalition forces in Iraq).

Reviews of American personalities

On the news portal of MEK Iran is staten that: Former senior leaders from the intelligence community, the Department of Internal Security, the Department of Defense and the State Department comment on Iran's Resurgent Resistance Louis Freeh, former director of the FBI:

“Congratulations to Professor Sheehan for his outstanding book, Iran's Resurgent Resistance. I was deeply honored to be included in this event. The inhabitants of Ashraf 3 showed me that their inspiration, their prayers and their commitment to freedom were enough to support them and carry them forward. Ashraf 3 serves as testimony to what can be achieved across Iran if a progressive government replaces the current fundamentalist regime.

Iran's Resurgent Resistance documents the Martyrs' Exhibition well. This is more than an exhibition. It is a rehearsal room with photographs and digital recordings. It's time to gather all the documentation like Simon Wiesenthal Center did after the Second World War. The Martyrs Exhibition is a catalyst for criminal liability, just as Ashraf 3 is the starting point for a democratic Iran.”

Governor Tom Ridge, former First Secretary of National Security:

“You can imprison a man or woman, but you can't kill an idea." Like Professor Sheehan, I met several people in Ashraf 3 who had been imprisoned and tortured. All of them and those who have not survived are human tributes to courage and sacrifice. The Iranians have a great culture and history, are rich in both tradition and contributions to the rest of the world, but are not well represented by the Tehran regime.”

General (res.) James T. Conway, 34th commander of the United States Marine Corps:

“Thanks to Professor Sheehan for writing what I personally witnessed Ashraf 3. The residents of Ashraf 3 were not the first to show me the ability to bear losses and yet go on through courage and determination; I have witnessed these characteristics several times within the United States Marine Corps. However, in the Mujahedin-e Khalq once again I saw the sense of unitary cohesion, loyalty and mutual dedication. Another thing that the inhabitants of Ashraf 3 have in common with the United States Marines is their ability to "improvise, adapt and overcome.”

Marc Ginsberg, former U.S. ambassador to Morocco and White House adviser to the Middle East:

“In the images of each of our aspirations, there is a field of dreams and hopes. There are successes and there are failures. There are results and setbacks. But, the only thing that guides us Americans is the belief that what we want to achieve for ourselves can be achieved by all the people who aspire to freedom, autonomy and dignity. This field of dreams is shared by all those who attended the Iranian opposition rally in Albania during the summer of 2019. The aspirations we have for the people of Ashraf 3 and for the Iranian people are that they gain support and dignity they deserve so rightly. [...] Thanks to Professor Sheehan for documenting for the world what we all witnessed during the visit of the US delegation with the Iranian opposition.”