Sharp guy.
[2026-04-10] @magnxsium: On opinions and armchair analysis… Imam Khomeini’s advice to the masses during Saddam’s 8-year imposed war against the Islamic Republic
[Eng sub]
[2] on the channel: https://t.me/magnxsium_archive/77
This is something a lot of people commenting on current conflicts need to hear (especially some Russian commentators on various Telegram channels). Stop assuming that you know better than the people actually conducting the war. You probably don’t.
The “advance and retreat” part is really important. Don’t assume that a retreat means defeat. Don’t assume that an advance means a conflict is over. Evaluate it in its entirety, not only based on the current step.
Even when we are not talking about explicit hot war, expect action and reaction. Think about and observe what actions cause what reactions in a certain context and why. Liberation forces must be prepared to suffer setbacks and work through the problems that arise. Likewise, they must be prepared to seize on strategic gains and build upon them, without overextending or growing arrogant in their current position. The answers to where the lines are will come from experience, study, and adjustment in context because the landscape is often shifting and contextual; there is not a universal, static answer key.
Lenin also explained how “advance and retreat” even applies more broadly to a revolutionary party:
The revolutionary parties had to complete their education. They were learning how to attack. Now they had to realise that such knowledge must be supplemented with the knowledge of how to retreat in good order. They had to realise—and it is from bitter experience that the revolutionary class learns to realise this—that victory is impossible unless one has learned how to attack and retreat properly.
Of all the defeated opposition and revolutionary parties, the Bolsheviks effected the most orderly retreat, with the least loss to their “army”, with its core best preserved, with the least significant splits (in point of depth and incurability), with the least demoralisation, and in the best condition to resume work on the broadest scale and in the most correct and energetic manner.
The Bolsheviks achieved this only because they ruthlessly exposed and expelled the revolutionary phrase-mongers, those who did not wish to understand that one had to retreat, that one had to know how to retreat, and that one had absolutely to learn how to work legally in the most reactionary of parliaments, in the most reactionary of trade unions, co-operative and insurance societies and similar organisations.
The Principal Stages in the History of Bolshevism
In war as in politics, retreats are not always a sign of defeat, they can be necessary tactical maneuvers on the road to victory.
Great article on it! Lenin with the insight as often.
Khomeini =/= Imam
Khomeini = AyatollahImam can also be used as a term for leader generally, though Ayatollah is descriptor of “rank” for Ulema (scholars).
Though, honestly just “Sayyed” is usually enough.
