The Cost of Outsourcing Security

TEHRAN (Defapress) - Various components influence a country's security or insecurity; countries that lack popular support and necessary legitimacy link their security to foreign powers.

Outsourcing security is one of the factors contributing to insecurity and instability in countries. This act of outsourcing security to others allows foreign countries and powers to interfere in that country's internal affairs and politics, plunging its political and security environment into overt and covert crises.

A crucial point that has been overlooked by many leaders and officials of countries that have outsourced their security and tied it to a foreign country or power is that the security of a country or a region can only be guaranteed by the countries of that same region. No foreign power can, nor will, bring security to a country or region.

The first example of the adverse and disastrous effects of outsourcing security to other countries can be seen in Libya. There, the escalation of violence and the massacre of Gaddafi's supporters in various cities provoked global public opinion and led to intervention in the country. Ultimately, NATO decided on March 27, 2011, to carry out military operations against Libya under UN Security Council Resolutions 1970 and 1973, aiming to protect civilians and civilian areas under attack by Gaddafi's forces.

However, the result was that Libya faced NATO's military attacks and invasions. A significant portion of its military equipment was destroyed in NATO's attacks, and many of the country's vital facilities suffered extensive and severe damage. The primary reason for this was the absence of internal factors and components necessary for ensuring security within Libya.

A notable example of a country that suffered extensive and irreparable damage from outsourcing its security to a foreign country or power is Afghanistan. After the U.S. invaded Afghanistan and ousted the Taliban, the government of Ashraf Ghani took control but maintained close ties with the U.S. government from the outset. However, once the U.S. secured all its interests in the country, it suddenly withdrew, resulting in the Taliban regaining control.

The most striking example, without a doubt, is Ukraine. With the support of the West and the U.S., and the promise of joining NATO, Ukraine became embroiled in a destructive war with Russia. In addition to the heavy casualties and immense losses incurred, with the rise of Donald Trump, Ukraine lost the full support of the U.S. and found itself in a situation with no way forward or backward. To save the country from further damage and destruction, it is now compelled to accept all of Russia's conditions and agree to a ceasefire.

In contrast, since the Islamic Revolution, the Islamic Republic of Iran has not only refrained from expanding relations with the U.S. but has also severed existing ties. By engaging with other countries in the region, particularly its neighbors, and increasing its legitimacy and popular support, Iran has ensured its internal security with the help of its people.

In this context, Imam Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution, emphasized: "The first lesson from the Ukraine issue is that the support of Western powers for countries and governments that are their puppets is a mirage and illusory. All governments should know this. Those governments that rely on the U.S. and Europe should look at the situation of Ukraine today and Afghanistan yesterday."