Comments on: Arab World: Let the Iranians do Whatever they Want http://globalvoicesonline.org/2009/06/17/arab-world-let-the-iranians-do-whatever-they-want/ The world is talking. Are you listening? Thu, 03 Dec 2009 16:37:12 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Mahan http://globalvoicesonline.org/2009/06/17/arab-world-let-the-iranians-do-whatever-they-want/comment-page-1/#comment-1570520 Mahan Thu, 18 Jun 2009 04:35:15 +0000 http://globalvoicesonline.org/?p=80429#comment-1570520 This is a tough call for Obama. A tough call period. I am an Iranian American and have been to Iran 3 times in the past 7 years. On each trip I traveled across the country and talked to all sorts of people so I have some insight into what is going on. I have also spoken to my family and friends who live across the country before and after the vote. This is a historical event in Iran's post-revolution period however it turns out. There is something bubbling up but is it a game changer?? From all accounts there was a hidden rumor of sorts before the election that Musavi is going to make peace with the US fast as Obama is ready to deal. The word on the street as they say was that Ahmadinejad is a problem as he is poison to the Americans and needs to go. This was the same type of rumor that propelled Khatami to a surprise win over Noteq Nouri. At that time, the rumor was that the US wanted to deal and Khatami was the ticket as he was a gentle faced Ayatollah and not a traditional Akhond Ayatollah (Noteq Nouri). It did not work with Khatami so I am really surprised that the people came back to the polls this time in the tune of 85% for Musavi a guy who has been out of sight for over 20 years! These demonstrations are happening not only in Tehran but in Shiraz, Isfahan, Mashhad, Ahvaz and Urumieyh. Basically, in every major city! There is a profound sense that the election was stolen. There was an 85% percent turnout so this was huge to them. This can be a regime killer if it is not handled well by the Islamic Republic. This time its pitting one powerful Ayatollah (Khamenei) against another (Rafsanjani). They are old rivals. It should also be said that Musavi and Khamanei are also old rivals as Musavi was the PM during Khamenei's presidency. Back then the president was somewhat below the PM. Basically, its a jumble personal political mess as well. Obama should stay out of this fight and let the two Ayatollah's duke it out. In the meantime, the people of Iran will either fight and bleed and maybe win or go back home and NEVER vote again. As for the Arab worlds views, that is really a joke without humor. No Arab state has anything remotely close to a democratic state. They cannot even provide a semblance of Democracy. I mean can you ever compare the democratic credentials of Egypt or Saudi Arabia the two central Arab states? Eygpt is a Mubarak Pheronic Dynasty while the Saudis will not even let women drive! Also, the last thing they want is to have peace between the US which could lead to renewal of Iran Israel ties. Just think of it from an Arab perspective. If Iran and Israel ever come to terms they would be in real trouble no matter how much oil they have. This is a tough call for Obama. A tough call period. I am an Iranian American and have been to Iran 3 times in the past 7 years. On each trip I traveled across the country and talked to all sorts of people so I have some insight into what is going on. I have also spoken to my family and friends who live across the country before and after the vote. This is a historical event in Iran’s post-revolution period however it turns out. There is something bubbling up but is it a game changer??

From all accounts there was a hidden rumor of sorts before the election that Musavi is going to make peace with the US fast as Obama is ready to deal. The word on the street as they say was that Ahmadinejad is a problem as he is poison to the Americans and needs to go. This was the same type of rumor that propelled Khatami to a surprise win over Noteq Nouri. At that time, the rumor was that the US wanted to deal and Khatami was the ticket as he was a gentle faced Ayatollah and not a traditional Akhond Ayatollah (Noteq Nouri). It did not work with Khatami so I am really surprised that the people came back to the polls this time in the tune of 85% for Musavi a guy who has been out of sight for over 20 years!

These demonstrations are happening not only in Tehran but in Shiraz, Isfahan, Mashhad, Ahvaz and Urumieyh. Basically, in every major city! There is a profound sense that the election was stolen. There was an 85% percent turnout so this was huge to them. This can be a regime killer if it is not handled well by the Islamic Republic. This time its pitting one powerful Ayatollah (Khamenei) against another (Rafsanjani). They are old rivals. It should also be said that Musavi and Khamanei are also old rivals as Musavi was the PM during Khamenei’s presidency. Back then the president was somewhat below the PM. Basically, its a jumble personal political mess as well.

Obama should stay out of this fight and let the two Ayatollah’s duke it out. In the meantime, the people of Iran will either fight and bleed and maybe win or go back home and NEVER vote again.

As for the Arab worlds views, that is really a joke without humor. No Arab state has anything remotely close to a democratic state. They cannot even provide a semblance of Democracy. I mean can you ever compare the democratic credentials of Egypt or Saudi Arabia the two central Arab states? Eygpt is a Mubarak Pheronic Dynasty while the Saudis will not even let women drive! Also, the last thing they want is to have peace between the US which could lead to renewal of Iran Israel ties. Just think of it from an Arab perspective. If Iran and Israel ever come to terms they would be in real trouble no matter how much oil they have.

]]> By: Can the West not intrude? | Antony Loewenstein http://globalvoicesonline.org/2009/06/17/arab-world-let-the-iranians-do-whatever-they-want/comment-page-1/#comment-1570509 Can the West not intrude? | Antony Loewenstein Thu, 18 Jun 2009 01:01:32 +0000 http://globalvoicesonline.org/?p=80429#comment-1570509 [...] Jordanian blogger Hareega on the situation in Iran: [...] [...] Jordanian blogger Hareega on the situation in Iran: [...]

]]> By: Regolo http://globalvoicesonline.org/2009/06/17/arab-world-let-the-iranians-do-whatever-they-want/comment-page-1/#comment-1570460 Regolo Wed, 17 Jun 2009 07:54:03 +0000 http://globalvoicesonline.org/?p=80429#comment-1570460 I perfectly agree on letting the iranians go where they prefer. But I believe that if the regime tryies to block any opposition voice, cut the press and the communications it's just great that the world is using the web to help the iranians choose their own future. I perfectly agree on letting the iranians go where they prefer. But I believe that if the regime tryies to block any opposition voice, cut the press and the communications it’s just great that the world is using the web to help the iranians choose their own future.

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