A close cousin of the 'tankie', an ‘ayatolli' refers to an apologist of the Islamic Republic of Iran and their beneficiaries, like Hizbollah in Lebanon, Bashar al-Assad in Syria, and the Houthis in Yemen amongst many others. Named after the Ayatollahs who rule the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Typically, Western ayatollis are left-wingers who will selectively highlight ‘positive’ aspects of the Islamic Republic of Iran to gloss over the horrors that the Islamic Republic of Iran unleashes on its population and the region overall. They use talking points such as Iran's anti-American and anti-Zionist rhetoric, its healthcare policies, its misguided pro-trans policy, and its aid to Palestine, whilst using whatabouttisms of American war crimes and human rights violations.
Some Muslims (usually but not always Shi'as) may become ayatollis for theological and political reasons, thinking that the Ayatollas in Iran are a good spiritual and political authority for Muslims. They will typically consume and get brainwashed by media such as Press TV, Al Manar, and Al Alam.
Finally, others may become an ayatolli because they are nationalists for a country that is allied with the Ayatollah's of Iran for political reasons (such as Russia or China). Although being a tankie and ayatolli are not mutually exclusive, these ayatolli's are almost always tankies as well.
Typically, Western ayatollis are left-wingers who will selectively highlight ‘positive’ aspects of the Islamic Republic of Iran to gloss over the horrors that the Islamic Republic of Iran unleashes on its population and the region overall. They use talking points such as Iran's anti-American and anti-Zionist rhetoric, its healthcare policies, its misguided pro-trans policy, and its aid to Palestine, whilst using whatabouttisms of American war crimes and human rights violations.
Some Muslims (usually but not always Shi'as) may become ayatollis for theological and political reasons, thinking that the Ayatollas in Iran are a good spiritual and political authority for Muslims. They will typically consume and get brainwashed by media such as Press TV, Al Manar, and Al Alam.
Finally, others may become an ayatolli because they are nationalists for a country that is allied with the Ayatollah's of Iran for political reasons (such as Russia or China). Although being a tankie and ayatolli are not mutually exclusive, these ayatolli's are almost always tankies as well.
"I wanted to go to the pro-Palestine rally, but sadly there were so many ayatollis speaking"
"He's taken his anti-American rhetoric to such a misguided level, he's become an ayatolli"
"He's taken his anti-American rhetoric to such a misguided level, he's become an ayatolli"
by Djannchyd January 04, 2024