Removing subsidies is a really painful bandaid to remove, but it does need to happen. Never seen a successful government that burns billions a year on subsidies rather than re-invest into the economy. A proper government whose thinking long term would do this, but it needs to work quickly to alleviate the downside in the shortest possible time.
Indeed some parts of the US are insanely dangerous, and acts like a 3rd world country. Safer in Herat than in some places. Having travel to Paris, I have to saw how disgusted I was with the city and how French people have allowed their country to decent into decay. Frankly, turned me right-wing politically overnight.
I think a very important element that is overlooked is forward thinking and proactive approach to crises in the region. With Russia, over the last 20 years has allowed NATO to expand to its borders and now threaten its core vis a vi Ukraine. Iran on the other hand, in contrast as intervened practically everywhere it deems necessary in order to push the fight away from its borders, hence a conflict like Rus-Ukr would totally be avoided. This pro-active approach has allowed for regional success of course at the cost of the economy. Had this approach not been taken, we would have likely seen a direct US attack on Iran through Iraqi territory.
