On January 26, 2021, you allowed Bret Stephens to pen an entire piece pretending to care about dissidents while really just setting up an unethical smear against President Biden’s potential pick for U.S. envoy to Iran, Rob Malley. Stephens uses an out-of-context clipped interview with Malley to falsely claim that Malley justified the Iranian government’s violent response to the 2019 protests. Malley’s organization, the International Crisis Group published an 1,800 word statement on the 2019 protests. Here's what they said: “As Tehran sees it, the coincidence of tumult in Iran, Iraq and Lebanon suggests an orchestrated campaign aimed at curbing the Islamic Republic’s regional clout; they point to statements coming out of Washington as vindicating their view. The inconvenient truth, however, is that in each country the protests are primarily expressions of fury at failed domestic policies. The statement went on to argue: Iranian leaders may take solace in their apparent ability to corral the protests, but it would be the wrong conclusion. There are numerous examples of repression backfiring, hardening opposition and in some cases toppling governments that once seemed invulnerable. It would likewise be a mistake for Tehran to conflate its ability to stop unrest with success in addressing the grievances that prompted it. If, either persuaded that the demonstrations are of foreign provenance or convinced that engaging in reforms would signal weakness, the regime fails to curb corruption, enforce structural economic reforms and countenance more pluralism within political institutions, it will at best be buying time until the next standoff between state and society.” Little to none of this, or the statement as a whole, could reasonably be read as apologizing for Iran’s actions. Bret Stephens’ statement about Malley is unethical and disingenuous and should not have been published in The New York Times. Malley served as Special Assistant to President Clinton, helping organize the 2000 Camp David Summit. Under the Obama administration, Malley served as Special Assistant to the President; White House Coordinator for the Middle East, North Africa, and the Gulf region; and Senior Adviser for the Counter-ISIL Campaign. He was the lead White House negotiator in the 2015 talks that secured the JCPOA. During the Trump administration, he continued advocating for the JCPOA. Malley understands the devastating effect on Iranians of the Trump administration sanctions and the extreme failure of Trump’s maximum pressure campaign. While causing immense suffering and death in Iran, the sanctions resulted not in a new deal but in Iran expanding their nuclear program and number of ballistic missiles. Under Trump, the Middle East became even more fraught with conflict and awash in weapons. Malley understands that reentering the JCPOA must be undertaken swiftly. Iranian presidential elections are scheduled for June and predictions are that a new hardline candidate will win. It is crucial that the members of the Biden team addressing the challenge be experienced, have a deep and nuanced understanding of Middle East issues, and be committed to diplomacy. No person better fits that bill than Robert Malley. Please do not allow your paper to spread misinformation to scuttle negotiations with Iran. Please issue a correction to Stephens’ piece. Sincerely,

On January 26, 2021, you allowed Bret Stephens to pen an entire piece pretending to care about dissidents while really just setting up an unethical smear against President Biden’s potential pick for U.S. envoy to Iran, Rob Malley. Stephens uses an out-of-context clipped interview with Malley to falsely claim that Malley justified the Iranian government’s violent response to the 2019 protests. Malley’s organization, the International Crisis Group published an 1,800 word statement on the 2019 protests. Here's what they said: “As Tehran sees it, the coincidence of tumult in Iran, Iraq and Lebanon suggests an orchestrated campaign aimed at curbing the Islamic Republic’s regional clout; they point to statements coming out of Washington as vindicating their view. The inconvenient truth, however, is that in each country the protests are primarily expressions of fury at failed domestic policies. The statement went on to argue: Iranian leaders may take solace in their apparent ability to corral the protests, but it would be the wrong conclusion. There are numerous examples of repression backfiring, hardening opposition and in some cases toppling governments that once seemed invulnerable. It would likewise be a mistake for Tehran to conflate its ability to stop unrest with success in addressing the grievances that prompted it. If, either persuaded that the demonstrations are of foreign provenance or convinced that engaging in reforms would signal weakness, the regime fails to curb corruption, enforce structural economic reforms and countenance more pluralism within political institutions, it will at best be buying time until the next standoff between state and society.” Little to none of this, or the statement as a whole, could reasonably be read as apologizing for Iran’s actions. Bret Stephens’ statement about Malley is unethical and disingenuous and should not have been published in The New York Times. Malley served as Special Assistant to President Clinton, helping organize the 2000 Camp David Summit. Under the Obama administration, Malley served as Special Assistant to the President; White House Coordinator for the Middle East, North Africa, and the Gulf region; and Senior Adviser for the Counter-ISIL Campaign. He was the lead White House negotiator in the 2015 talks that secured the JCPOA. During the Trump administration, he continued advocating for the JCPOA. Malley understands the devastating effect on Iranians of the Trump administration sanctions and the extreme failure of Trump’s maximum pressure campaign. While causing immense suffering and death in Iran, the sanctions resulted not in a new deal but in Iran expanding their nuclear program and number of ballistic missiles. Under Trump, the Middle East became even more fraught with conflict and awash in weapons. Malley understands that reentering the JCPOA must be undertaken swiftly. Iranian presidential elections are scheduled for June and predictions are that a new hardline candidate will win. It is crucial that the members of the Biden team addressing the challenge be experienced, have a deep and nuanced understanding of Middle East issues, and be committed to diplomacy. No person better fits that bill than Robert Malley. Please do not allow your paper to spread misinformation to scuttle negotiations with Iran. Please issue a correction to Stephens’ piece. Sincerely,

On January 26, 2021, you allowed Bret Stephens to pen an entire piece pretending to care about dissidents while really just setting up an unethical smear against President Biden’s potential pick for U.S. envoy to Iran, Rob Malley. Stephens uses an out-of-context clipped interview with Malley to falsely claim that Malley justified the Iranian government’s violent response to the 2019 protests. Malley’s organization, the International Crisis Group published an 1,800 word statement on the 2019 protests. Here's what they said: “As Tehran sees it, the coincidence of tumult in Iran, Iraq and Lebanon suggests an orchestrated campaign aimed at curbing the Islamic Republic’s regional clout; they point to statements coming out of Washington as vindicating their view. The inconvenient truth, however, is that in each country the protests are primarily expressions of fury at failed domestic policies. The statement went on to argue: Iranian leaders may take solace in their apparent ability to corral the protests, but it would be the wrong conclusion. There are numerous examples of repression backfiring, hardening opposition and in some cases toppling governments that once seemed invulnerable. It would likewise be a mistake for Tehran to conflate its ability to stop unrest with success in addressing the grievances that prompted it. If, either persuaded that the demonstrations are of foreign provenance or convinced that engaging in reforms would signal weakness, the regime fails to curb corruption, enforce structural economic reforms and countenance more pluralism within political institutions, it will at best be buying time until the next standoff between state and society.” Little to none of this, or the statement as a whole, could reasonably be read as apologizing for Iran’s actions. Bret Stephens’ statement about Malley is unethical and disingenuous and should not have been published in The New York Times. Malley served as Special Assistant to President Clinton, helping organize the 2000 Camp David Summit. Under the Obama administration, Malley served as Special Assistant to the President; White House Coordinator for the Middle East, North Africa, and the Gulf region; and Senior Adviser for the Counter-ISIL Campaign. He was the lead White House negotiator in the 2015 talks that secured the JCPOA. During the Trump administration, he continued advocating for the JCPOA. Malley understands the devastating effect on Iranians of the Trump administration sanctions and the extreme failure of Trump’s maximum pressure campaign. While causing immense suffering and death in Iran, the sanctions resulted not in a new deal but in Iran expanding their nuclear program and number of ballistic missiles. Under Trump, the Middle East became even more fraught with conflict and awash in weapons. Malley understands that reentering the JCPOA must be undertaken swiftly. Iranian presidential elections are scheduled for June and predictions are that a new hardline candidate will win. It is crucial that the members of the Biden team addressing the challenge be experienced, have a deep and nuanced understanding of Middle East issues, and be committed to diplomacy. No person better fits that bill than Robert Malley. Please do not allow your paper to spread misinformation to scuttle negotiations with Iran. Please issue a correction to Stephens’ piece. Sincerely,

On January 26, 2021, you allowed Bret Stephens to pen an entire piece pretending to care about dissidents while really just setting up an unethical smear against President Biden’s potential pick for U.S. envoy to Iran, Rob Malley. Stephens uses an out-of-context clipped interview with Malley to falsely claim that Malley justified the Iranian government’s violent response to the 2019 protests. Malley’s organization, the International Crisis Group published an 1,800 word statement on the 2019 protests. Here's what they said: “As Tehran sees it, the coincidence of tumult in Iran, Iraq and Lebanon suggests an orchestrated campaign aimed at curbing the Islamic Republic’s regional clout; they point to statements coming out of Washington as vindicating their view. The inconvenient truth, however, is that in each country the protests are primarily expressions of fury at failed domestic policies. The statement went on to argue: Iranian leaders may take solace in their apparent ability to corral the protests, but it would be the wrong conclusion. There are numerous examples of repression backfiring, hardening opposition and in some cases toppling governments that once seemed invulnerable. It would likewise be a mistake for Tehran to conflate its ability to stop unrest with success in addressing the grievances that prompted it. If, either persuaded that the demonstrations are of foreign provenance or convinced that engaging in reforms would signal weakness, the regime fails to curb corruption, enforce structural economic reforms and countenance more pluralism within political institutions, it will at best be buying time until the next standoff between state and society.” Little to none of this, or the statement as a whole, could reasonably be read as apologizing for Iran’s actions. Bret Stephens’ statement about Malley is unethical and disingenuous and should not have been published in The New York Times. Malley served as Special Assistant to President Clinton, helping organize the 2000 Camp David Summit. Under the Obama administration, Malley served as Special Assistant to the President; White House Coordinator for the Middle East, North Africa, and the Gulf region; and Senior Adviser for the Counter-ISIL Campaign. He was the lead White House negotiator in the 2015 talks that secured the JCPOA. During the Trump administration, he continued advocating for the JCPOA. Malley understands the devastating effect on Iranians of the Trump administration sanctions and the extreme failure of Trump’s maximum pressure campaign. While causing immense suffering and death in Iran, the sanctions resulted not in a new deal but in Iran expanding their nuclear program and number of ballistic missiles. Under Trump, the Middle East became even more fraught with conflict and awash in weapons. Malley understands that reentering the JCPOA must be undertaken swiftly. Iranian presidential elections are scheduled for June and predictions are that a new hardline candidate will win. It is crucial that the members of the Biden team addressing the challenge be experienced, have a deep and nuanced understanding of Middle East issues, and be committed to diplomacy. No person better fits that bill than Robert Malley. Please do not allow your paper to spread misinformation to scuttle negotiations with Iran. Please issue a correction to Stephens’ piece. Sincerely,