Heya Ilia. :2wave: That is a good very good question, and yes I would have to say it is true. Although the Anti War movement for the 60s and 70s never really changed.
As to the Foreign Policy.....it has been more of a mess ever since we started the Nation building of other countries. As well as when we started listening to Sunni Arabs as if they were Allies. Which they are in name.....Only.
they weren't Sunni Arabs the you started to listening to them as you Allies. they were and are Arab Dictators that are your Allies and has nothing to do Sunni Muslims, Shia Muslim or even Arabs. just crazy dictators.
I have a question for you as well. What would Iran do if they found out that the Religion of Islam was a false Religion and that it had lied to the Entire World. What Would Iran then do?
what's your mean by Iran? Iranian people or Iranian government.
anyway i share my opinion.
in fact it has been fourteenth century Islam is practicing all around the world by billions of people. there is nothing wrong with it. how do i know? because there is nothing wrong with Christianity also, there is nothing wrong with Judaism also. the principles of all religions are so much alike. focus on justice, equality, brotherhood and other prominences aspect of human-being are the stable principles of all religions. so why it should be wrong?! i hate the differentiation existed between people who believed in one god, whatever they call it, Allah, God or ... .
one more thing i guess can help you and other non-Muslim to correct their perceptions about Islam is the highest priorities of All governments in the world (i repeat, ALL government no exception) no matter what they are claiming, are government's interest (not nation interest but GOVERNMENT interest). and government interest almost has nothing to do with its ideology. so when you think about Iranian government, don't think about it as a complete Representative as Shia religion. do you think Saudi Arabia is a complete Representative of Sunni Islam Ideology governance?! for god sake it is not, the Sunni Islam didn't influence their governance at all, yes surely Islam has some influences but Islam has nothing to do with these governments.
about Iran, same situation, don't think about Iran as a Representative of Shia Islam, our governments looking for its interest also. i guess, same situation existed in united states, IS USA as Representative of democracy?! or US government interest goes far away from democracy to Support Syrian rebels who cat human head and eat their heart?! see? government interests is the only explain for a government behavior and has nothing to do with the religion or ideology it claim established based on.
judging about a religion, based on a government's behaviors, is the
worst kind of judgment you can make.
(sorry for my poor English, i hope i could make my points clear)