June 12, 2010 - Quiet today on the first anniversary of the
fraudulent election, but this isn't over yet. The opposition
continues, despite repression. Mass protests aren't their only
option.
See
http://www.facebook.com/United4IranFB - or on Twitter
http://twitter.com/United4Iran
for information about planned protests in many cities outside of Iran on
June 12. There are also many other reports via Twitter,
including under the old #iranelection hashtag from last year as well as
other new ones. Be aware that Iranian authorities may be
monitoring and trying to disrupt protests, which may include spreading
misinformation rather than just trying to block communications.
Watch
Twitter for June 12 ( #22Khordad ) anniversary protests of the
fraudulent 2009 elections. Search for other hashtags such as #iranelection#NO2IR #iran #iranuprising Some of the
protesters may also use other platforms rather than Twitter if the
regime manages to disrupt it.
June 8, 2010 -
Iran opposition leaders slash plans for mass rally- There were
prior allegations that some of their publicly announced protest plans
were basically a trap set for demonstrators. Don't assume that
there won't be protests in some other way. The demonstrators have
already proven to be remarkably creative and resourceful while
minimizing bloody confrontations or arrests.
May 18, 2010 -
UN powers back new sanctions against Iran- Don't hold your
breath for this to be any sort of breakthrough with the regime. It
just punts the problem into the future again.
May 15, 2010 - Tehran Bureau (PBS) -
Media, Mahdi & Machiavelli - interesting commentary, including
observations on the weaknesses of BBC and VOA reporting and broadcasting
into Iran.
May 11, 2010 -
Reporter: Iran seeking to frighten protesters- First
anniversary of the fraudulent presidential election in Iran is June 12.
You can assume that protesters will remember the date.
March 19, 2010 -
Obama appeals to Iranian people in Internet video- Another
Nowruz message. There's always time for another Obama promotional
video, even if he hasn't given the protesters in Iran any respect at all
over the last year.
February 15, 2010 -
Clinton: Iran is becoming a military dictatorship - Comment:
Really? Hillary thinks this may be becoming a military dictatorship?
Did somebody finally notice that the election last summer was rigged by
the regime in power? Is the Obama administration finally noticing the
ruthless repression of any opposition to the regime? Have they paid any
attention at all to reality in Iran since Obama was in high school? Why
should this be news to anyone who hasn't been living in an ivory tower
with academic leftists for the last few decades, under the delusion that
it's all our fault somehow?
February 11, 2010 - AP Interview:
Shah's son: Help Iran's reformers - Comment: Since the
policy of reaching out to the Iranian regime has obviously been a
complete failure, why not at least try reaching out to the opposition
groups? We shouldn't expect them to do our bidding, either, but at
least we can make it clear that the American people sympathize with
their plight at the hands of ruthless tyrants. If we remain so
obviously indifferent to their repression, why should they ever trust us
to be their friends?
February 11, 2010 -
Iran marks revolution with crackdown on protests - Comment: This
report indicates that the opposition protests were smaller than
expected, while the government crackdown was clearly organized to
prevent any such gatherings, including arrests and attacks on opposition
leaders.
February 11, 2010 - As expected, major demonstrations and government
crackdowns on protests are taking place on the 31st anniversary of the
Islamic Revolution. For up to the minute reports (which cannot be
verified for accuracy), check Twitter for #22bahman or #iranelection
(22 Bahman is the name of this date on the Persian calendar). Note
that there are allegations that Iranian media are using footage of
pro-government rallies of last year to conceal the protests, and are
refusing to let foreign media cover anything other than Ahmedinejad's
speech, while many Iranian journalists are detained. Once again,
it's hard to know where the truth lies in such a volatile situation, but
the key point is that the Iranian people are clearly standing up to
tyranny. There were reports of chants of "God is greatest" from
the rooftops as in the protests last summer, and "Death to the
dictator!" among the crowds. There was also confusion about a
reported attack on Mehdi Karroubi's car, and whether he was injured or
not.
January 18, 2010 -
Iran vows revenge on Israel for professor's death - Comment:
Is this all a ruthless red herring to distract attention from the
opposition, and try to undermine their credibility? This professor
doesn't sound like a credible target for the Mossad or Iranian
opposition groups, and it is beyond question that Obama would never
approve an assassination, even if it was well deserved.
January 6, 2010 -
Iran ex-prosecutor blamed for prison deaths - Comment:
Where is the sense of outrage in the US and international media, and
among liberal elites, about the atrocities perpetrated by the Iranian
government? They were so quick to condemn Bush for the
unauthorized abuses at Abu Ghraib, and to allege that Guantanamo or CIA
interrogation methods were torture, but why are they silent about real,
documented, and state-sponsored torture of innocent civilians?
These aren't even "enemy combatants" trying to overthrow a foreign
government (i.e., ours). They are people who want their own
government to listen to them, and address their grievances - including
but not limited to the fraudulent elections perpetrated by the current
rulers last year to sustain their power.
Why are
these atrocities regarded as business as usual, rather than as an
outrage which requires a much stronger response than all the hasty
condemnations of Bush in recent years? Instead, we don't even get
significant rhetorical condemnation of such actions - much less a real
response. Do the leaders of Europe, America, and elsewhere no
longer care what happens to the Iranian people?
This exposes the hypocrisy of western liberal tyrants
who just want to push their own statist power agenda. The Iranian
regime has become accustomed to the ability to commit atrocities with
impunity for more than 30 years. The statists here may not yet
feel that they can safely adopt similar tactics, but the mindset is the
same. Once the end justifies any means, then our liberty is at an
end.
When tyranny is left unchecked to grow beyond all
reason, this is where it soon leads.
December 28, 2009 -
US calling friends, allies on Iran sanctions
- Comment: Obama is still trying to keep his distance from the
Iran problem because he has no real solution for it. Asking for
others to approve sanctions, as repeatedly rejected for years, is just
another stalling tactic. It creates the illusion of doing
something while having no real impact or credibility in Iran.
December 28, 2009 -
Iran holds bodies of slain protesters
- Comment: Holding the bodies hostage to prevent
demonstrations at their funerals? Meanwhile, Obama picks up on the
theme of the day by saying that he will "bear witness" to what is
happening in Iran - basically saying that he still thinks it is very
unfortunate that the Iranian government has chosen to rule in such a
brutal way after he naively thought that he could just extend his hand
of friendship to their brutal clenched fist.
December 28, 2009 -
Family: Mousavi nephew's body taken from hospital
- Comment: A little more rhetorical condemnation from some
officials in the UK and Germany - but very measured and timid remarks as
a whole. "The international community will watch and not look
away." Meanwhile, there's no end in sight for the Iranians, and no
real indication of support - just watching.
December 27, 2009 -
US condemns violence in Iran - Comment: Not Obama, mind
you. He's on holiday. Mike Hammer got sent out to remind the
press that this action by Iran goes against the spirit of Obama's Nobel
Prize acceptance speech about ruling through intimidation. The
vague statement is in the passive voice, as though this violence just
happened, without anyone to blame.
December 19, 2009 -
Iran acknowledges prisoners were beaten to death - Comment:
Further evidence that this regime is ruthless, if any were needed.
Hopefully, when the regime finally gets pushed out of power by Iranians
taking their country back, Obama won't do another stupid move like
Honduras.
One gets the feeling that Obama would
really just like the Iran situation to go away so that he could focus on
pushing his own radical domestic agenda. Thus, if the regime falls and
the successor no longer seems to pose a direct threat, will he make the
same mistake as we did in Afghanistan after the Soviets withdrew?
It will not be in our interest to declare "mission accomplished" and
ignore the problems which will inevitably follow, because a bad
situation can get worse.
December 15, 2009 - Check out #Iranelection or @time on
Twitter. Many supporters of the Iranian protesters are pretty
ticked off at Time magazine for not picking them as the "man of the
year".
December 8, 2009 -
Students, militia clash in second day of Iran protests - Iran
warns of tougher action against protesters as opposition chief harassed
by hard-liners - Comment: Is the Iranian government already
starting to worry about Moharram rallies in December, and the February
anniversary of the 1979 Islamic Revolution? Meanwhile, still not a
word out of Obama about it.
December 7, 2009 - Nationwide student protests bring thousands to
streets in Iran, clashing with police - Comment: As
anticipated, the protesters were back today by the thousands, and the
Iranian government was cracking down again on foreign media, Internet
access, and mobile phone networks. It's not yet clear how many
protesters were hurt or arrested today, but it's clearly not over.
December 2, 2009 -
Iran whistleblower died from drug-laced saladand another
version of the
same story with many comments. Death by poisoned salad?
Was some irony intended by the killers? After all, green is the
chosen color of the opposition movement.
November 29, 2009 -
Iran Lawmakers Earmark $20M for Militants - CBS News - Comment:
Why can't Congress appropriate a few billion in response to help
opposition groups against this regime? If they can give away $300
million just to bribe Mary Landrieu to vote for the health care bill,
and billions to pay off the Congressional Black Caucus, surely we can
outspend and outsmart Iran at this deadly game.
November 29, 2009 -
Iran plans enrichment sites in defiance of UN - Comment:
It may just be a bluff for negotiation purposes, but who will have the
nerve to call their bluff? Certainly not Obama. They already
perceive him to be weaker than Carter. Why shouldn't they be
defiant? It worked before.
Watch for more
public demonstrations in Iran on December 7. This regime is
on the defensive. It remains ruthless and dangerous, and will
probably continue the crackdown on dissent. Tyrants can be most
dangerous as their power collapses, because they will stop at nothing to
keep their power.
November 26, 2009 -
IAEA chief: Iran investigation at 'dead end' - Comment: That's
awkward timing for Obama's Nobel prize-winning efforts to reach out to
these dangerous liars. The outgoing IAEA chief may be trying to
save face by admitting the obvious after ignoring Iran's lies for so
long.
November 18, 2009 -
Obama says talks under way on Iran sanctions - Comment:
Still suggesting that he plans to actually decide to do something
someday. Meanwhile, he is offering yet another "grand bargain"
bribe to North Korea through bilateral talks next month (like the
Clinton era promises?), and says that he expects to take a decision on
Afghanistan - "certainly before year's end". Carter was as
credible.
November 18, 2009 -
Iran rejects UN-proposed nuclear deal - Comment: Is Obama still
hoping for change? How do you say "sucker" in Farsi? Meanwhile,
Carter is under the delusion that his presidency would have been
remembered as successful and that he
would have defeated Reagan in 1980 if the Iran hostage situation
hadn't developed. It must be hard for Iranians to decide who is
more clueless, but Americans are figuring it out much faster - even
before the 300 day mark rather than after several years.
November 14, 2009 -
Opposition: Iran rulers more brutal than shah - Comment:
Meanwhile, our president is even worse than Carter at dealing with
tyranny, rather than emboldening tyrants. Deja vu?
November 14, 2009 -
Iran policing Internet in new attack on opposition - Comment:
Net neutrality, Iran style. Send secret police after anybody who
posts anything offensive to the regime on the Internet. Of
course, Obama will not comment or criticize this. He and his advisors
are probably just envious.
November 5, 2009 - Time -
Iran disputes foreign media coverage of latest protests - Comment:
The protesters are proving to be more determined and creative than those
who keep attacking them. One of the latest tactics by the militia
has been to use paintball guns to mark protesters for arrest later -
thus trying to disperse the crowds by intimidation rather than by
shooting them or just using tear gas.
November 5, 2009 - CNN World -
Neda's mother: She was like an angel - Comment: Read this.
If you weren't paying attention to the shooting of Neda in June,
see below. This is where tyranny leads.
November 4, 2009 -
Iran opposition protesters return to streets - Comment:
Since Obama still can't even decide what to do about troops in
Afghanistan after all these months, and his alleged deadline for firm
action such as sanctions on Iran passed quietly in September without
incident, clearly it is up to the people of Iran to deal with the
tyrants in power on their own. Obama is no friend of the Iranian
people. He's even worse than Carter - which is no small
accomplishment in so few months.
A
VOA version leaves out protesters calling "Obama, Obama, you are
either with them, or with us", as in this
update of the story on November 5 and amateur videos circulating on
the Internet
November 4, 2009 -
White House monitoring crackdown in Iran - Comment: The
White House expresses deep concern, as usual, and hopes the violence
will not spread. Great - then why not actually do something for a
change to put some real pressure on those tyrants who are cracking
heads?
Follow #IranElection on Twitter for news
directly out of Tehran and protests in other cities in Iran.
November 4, 2009 -
Iran police, protesters clash at US Embassy rally - Comment:
Perfect timing - the 30th anniversary of the attack on the US Embassy is
now celebrated with "death to the dictator" chants, and "death to
Russia" by some reports.
Meanwhile, Obama
declined to show up at the 20th anniversary ceremony commemorating the
destruction of the Berlin Wall despite a personal invitation from Angela
Merkel. He probably didn't want to remember that Reagan and Bush
contributed to that success over authoritarian statist tyranny,
socialism, and communism. Maybe he will go celebrate Carter's
failure in Iran by meeting with Ahmedinejad soon.
October 13, 2009 -
Khamenei Said to be in Coma - Comment: Just rumors at this
point, but this shows what happens when Iranians don't trust their
government to tell them the truth. Even if he is really OK,
Khamenei is not going to be around for a long time, so the question is
what happens after he goes.
September 30, 2009 -
West goes to Iran talks - and readies sanctions - Comment: This
AP writer says "The fact that the meeting is taking place at all offers
some hope ..." Stop repeating the White House talking points!
It would offer some hope if the Iranians actually wanted to talk about
ending their nuclear weapons ambitions as well as their support for
international terrorism because they feared that it would soon lead to
their own destruction rather than expansion of their own power or the
return of the twelfth imam after triggering a global holocaust.
This meeting is a terrible diplomatic blunder by Obama, who is rapidly
proving his potential to be a far worse president than Carter (no small
accomplishment).
September 28, 2009 -
Iran tests its longest-range missiles - Comment: Given
their recent expressions of friendship and military cooperation, try
doing a 1200 mile radius from Venezuela. That's just enough to
reach Miami - but their range is increasing with North Korean and
Russian technology.
Pay dirt: Digging, clues revealed Iranian site- Exposed after
many years of persistent lies. How can we possibly trust any
agreement with this duplicitous Iranian regime of fanatics to be
verifiable?
September 25, 2009 -
AP Analysis: New Iran charge boosts sanctions move - Comment:
Read the ludicrous bit at the end from a source in Kuwait who seriously
suggests that unilateral disarmament moves by established nuclear powers
might somehow persuade Iran to give up their nuclear program.
New Iranian enrichment plant sparks western fury - Comment: Fury?
So what are they going to do about Iran? Wag their tongues at
Ahmedinejad in the UN about this "serious violation" which "strengthens
our suspicions"? Netanyahu warned about what we eventually did to
flatten German cities in World War II. The problem is that a
twelver like Ahmedinejad may actually want to provoke such an
Armageddon.
We should go back to a new version of a mutual assured
destruction policy. If Iran tests one nuclear weapon, then every nuclear
power in the world has the right to conduct nuclear tests of their own
in Iran.
Make it clear that they will gain no advantage by
having such a weapon. On the contrary, they will assure their own
annihilation. They may be able to do harm to us, but we can
certainly do far more harm to them. Few countries will be keen to
obtain nuclear weapons once they see how well our modern ones work. They
won't be joining an exclusive club of military powers. They will be
assuring their own destruction.
August 27, 2009 -
Iran ayatollah: Opposition not stooges for West - Comment:
Another strange twist. While their Stalinist show trials continue,
Khamenei finally admits that the protests weren't driven by the West.
Is the criticism of prisoner abuse actually causing some softening of
the hard line against the protesters? The renewed criticism by
Montazeri remains interesting. Is Khamenei ready to give up on the
show trials in order to try to save face, now that the election fraud
and repression of protests seems to have worked as intended?
Please welcome Iranian
immigrants to Tea Party protests and other celebrations of our
independence as we reassert our individual commitment to liberty and
freedom from tyranny.
Display some green to
symbolize American sympathy for the aspirations of Iranian protesters
for liberty from 30 years of tyranny - green ribbons, balloons, wrist
bands, hats, shirts, etc.
Do you remember the "yellow ribbons" which people
across America tied to their trees, fence posts, telephone poles, cars,
or clothes during the US embassy hostage crisis in Iran to symbolize
solidarity with the hostages? Let's adopt green ribbons as a
symbol now. It implies no support for Mousavi. It
symbolizes individual American support for freedom in Iran.
Regardless of the timid
response by Obama and other politicians who may not wish to be perceived
as "meddling" in the internal affairs of Iran, Americans as individuals
should demonstrate where our sympathies lie - with the oppressed people
of Iran, rather than with their ruthless rulers. They have not
hesitated to repress any opposition by force ever since their revolution
30 years ago.
Obama recently encouraged our Ambassadors to invite
Iranian diplomats to the July 4 celebrations at US Embassies around the
world for the first time since 1979. The Iranian Foreign Minister
was also invited to a G8 summit about Afghanistan, although Mottaki
reportedly has chosen not to attend now. At the very least, surely
Obama can
withdraw his July 4 party invitations now.
June 21, 2009 - Michelle Malkin's blog quickly
shared this
tragic murder of "Neda". Will she become the symbol which
mobilizes Iranians to finally reign in the Basij and end this tyranny?
This is a very graphic video of Neda's death - not
suitable for children. This is what tyranny looks like - as in
some other recent videos of women being beaten ruthlessly by the Basij
militia.
The regime clearly fears that Neda is becoming a
powerful symbol as a martyr for the cause of the protesters.
Attempts to hold a peaceful vigil to honor her were reportedly broken up
on Monday in Tehran. Watch for smaller protests in the streets,
but more shouts of solidarity in the dark from the
rooftops of Tehran and other cities at night, and perhaps a general
strike. The symbolic power of martyrs in
Iranian culture should not be underestimated.
The
Basij can attack with impunity, but some protesters have already proven
that they can actually surround the Basij and intimidate these thugs
rather than just run away from them as expected.
As in counterinsurgency tactics, Iranians can actually take their
country back this way, but it will not be an easy struggle. A
general strike, however, would be hard for the government to stop.
The Basij can't force people to go to work, even though it can attack
those who don't. As Gandhi proved in India, people can bring the
country to a stop as an act of non-violent defiance - but that won't end
the struggle. It is the nature of tyrants to rarely give up their
power without a fight.
The question is whether the Pasdaran and Basij will,
at some point, back Rafsanjani and Mousavi over Khamenei and his barking
mad dog out front, Ahmedinejad. If not, this regime may face a
revolution or civil war, whether now or later as this repression
continues to fester like an untreated wound. In any case,
America's national interests lie with the Iranian people and their
aspirations to create their own future for Iran. If this regime
continues to show that it has no qualms about crushing public dissent
with ruthless disregard for basic human rights or even common decency as
human beings, then we should have no qualms about dealing very harshly
with that regime. It is abhorrent for any US President to ignore
such abuses and be timid in our response to tyranny.
The
disputed recent Iranian elections have triggered massive popular
demonstrations as well as a government crackdown to repress them, as in
the past. This latent unrest may be forced into the shadows again
by the regime in power, but the idea of liberty is a powerful force
against even the most ruthless tyranny. The struggle by the
Iranian people to define their own future certainly may not be an easy
one, as their long history has shown. The current regime is just
the latest one to inflict a few decades of misery on the people of Iran
while claiming to have their interests at heart. Nobody can
predict how this drama will play out, but at least the people are trying
to be heard.
These are not just state sponsors of terrorism against
us, and against others in the world. The people of Iran deserve a
much better future than the one which these zealots have been destroying
to grow and perpetuate their own power. Unfortunately, tyrants
don't go away quietly or peacefully.
Poem for the
Rooftops of Iran
You
may not see much in the following video at night, but listen carefully
to both the speaker's emotions (and the subtitles as repeated below) and
the sounds in the background as protesters cleverly call out the
traditional "God is great" (Allah-o Akbar) to show their respect for
Islam even as they are challenging the ruthless government leaders who
clearly are not respected as great.
Text of the poem in the video, as translated by the
English subtitles:
"Tomorrow is Saturday. Tomorrow is a day of destiny.
Tonight, the cries of Allah-o Akbar are heard louder and louder than the
nights before.
Where is this place? Where is this place where every door is closed?
Where is this place where people are simply calling God? Where is this
place where the sound of Allah-o Akbar gets louder and louder?
I wait every night to see if the sounds will get louder and whether the
number increases. It shakes me. I wonder if God is shaken.
Where is this place that where so many innocent people are entrapped?
Where is this place where no one comes to our aid? Where is this place
that only with our silence we are sending our voices to the world? Where
is this place that the young shed blood and then people go and pray —
standing on that same blood and pray. Where is this place where the
citizens are called vagrants?
Where is this place? You want me to tell you? This place is Iran. The
homeland of you and me.
This place is Iran."
Personal
thoughts on the June presidential election protests and demonstrations
in Iran
Iran
is a country with an extraordinary history and cultural legacy that
precedes the rise and spread of Islam. Like neighboring Iraq, it
has seen many empires come and go, and has endured many tyrants for
centuries, as well as some great leaders at times. It does not
have a tradition of democracy or peaceful transitions of power which
respect the aspirations of the Iranian people.
Instead, it remains one of the many countries in the world where rulers
have defended their grip on power to the bitter end, regardless of the
bitter consequences for the people of Iran. The smooth transitions
of power between elected presidents since the revolution in 1979 have
basically reflected the fact that the transitions were managed to crush
any opposition and assure no real change in power.
The faces out front might change, but the Guardian Council and others
have kept a firm grip on their power, with the Revolutionary Guards and
militant groups ready to defend them against any opposition.
Various crackdowns over the years have proven their ruthless nature.
This is not a regime which will readily admit failure and change, step
aside, or even engage with critics. The illusion of divine and
infallible authority requires intransigence in the face of any
criticism.
This is tragic, because there are many wonderful and
talented Iranians who deserve a better fate in life than to simply cope
with tyranny as though it were inevitable. There is so much
potential to be a great country, but not with tyrants in charge who put
their own interests ahead of the interests of millions of individual
Iranians. Rather than a government guided by "we the people", the
rulers do as they please and use the guise of their religious authority
to legitimize their authoritarian control. Regardless of any good
intentions by their rulers, ordinary Iranians can see how their economy
and their own freedom and potential to achieve a better life for their
families has deteriorated over time.
The
people of Iran are not trusted to make their own choices, even through
the illusion of elections - whether overtly corrupt or manipulated
directly or not. All the candidates are carefully chosen by the
leaders to assure their continued rule without meaningful opposition.
Real opposition is driven into the shadows, out of the country, or
crushed into submission by intimidation or force. There is little
real competition or choice. One is given a Hobson's choice,
limited to a few bad options.
Such tyranny is
evil, regardless of the pretense of being democratic or legitimized by
religious authority. It is an affront to the basic human rights
and the sovereign right of all Iranians to be free to choose their own
destiny. The revolution which replaced the Shah in 1979
substituted one form of tyranny for another. The Shah did some
good and bad things during his tenure, as have the rulers who replaced
him. The rulers of Iran aren't necessarily evil. The system
of government which they are imposing on the people of Iran, regardless
of good intentions, leads to evil consequences. There are
inadequate checks on the power of rulers. They need not respect
the will of the people, rather than their own will to perpetuate their
own reign and keep expanding their own unchecked powers to do whatever
they may think is a good idea at the time.
Power
corrupts, and absolute power corrupts even those who think that they are
guided by divine principles and values. They are not evil leaders.
They are just humans, subject to the same temptations and mistakes as
anyone if given unchecked power to impose their ideas on others.
They could reform the system which they have created, but they are more
likely to defend it until a crisis forces change. Is this that
crisis? Perhaps, but perhaps not yet. Will changes be made,
or will a larger civil conflict or even a revolution emerge? For
now, it's still an open question for the people of Iran and their
leaders to decide.
Eldercato's Blog
quickly compiled a
list of embassies in Iran which might shelter the injured in theory,
but there is no confirmation that they are actually taking the risks
involved to do so. Others have posted Google maps of Tehran
showing where many of them are are located.
Ambassadors are justifiably reluctant to intervene in
such a crisis, regardless of their own personal or official sympathy for
the cause of the protesters. They are expected to focus on the
relations between their government and the host government, plus the
protection of their own citizens there. A few may selectively
provide temporary refuge as a humanitarian action, but they probably
won't and shouldn't openly acknowledge it, since that might put all such
victims in greater danger. It is fairly rare to actually offer
political asylum or other protection in such crises. Don't
expect it.
The Canadian Embassy in Tehran bravely took a great risk
during the 1979 Iranian Revolution by secretly sheltering 6 American
diplomats for months until their escape from Iran was arranged.
These American diplomats had been out of the Embassy at the time of the
assault on it, and were entitled to expect the protection of the Iranian
government (like
Bruce Laingen, who was at the Foreign Ministry at the
time and was given shelter there until US news media exposed this).
Their presence at the Canadian Embassy had to remain a secret until
their escape. Even diplomats are at risk in Tehran, and embassies
are clearly not safe havens from this tyrannical regime. There is
no reason to expect that the Basij will respect diplomatic missions more
now than in 1979.
Ambassadors are unlikely to put their missions at risk to
help Iranian protesters, regardless of strong sympathy for their cause
and abhorrence of the violence being perpetrated by the leaders of Iran
against their own people. They may use their positions to strongly
condemn what the Basij and their ruthless leaders are doing to Iranians,
but their influence is limited, and it would be a mistake for Iranian
protesters to assume that they would be safe at diplomatic missions.
On the contrary, such missions are protected by the Iranian government
forces, so any attempts to enter them might expose the protesters to
capture. It would be far more helpful to develop a network of
medical clinics, hospitals, or individual doctors who can be trusted to
protect the victims.
Diplomats can't protect Iranians from their own
government. They can't even protect themselves. At best,
consular officers can just provide visas to those who qualify and want
to flee from Iran temporarily, even if not with the intention to become
refugees or immigrants to other countries.
Trust me on this. I
was a US Foreign Service Officer and served as a vice consul in
Pakistan at a time when many Iranian refugees fled there after the
revolution 30 years ago, and as many Afghan refugees fled the Soviet
invasion of their country. Embassies are not a safe haven for
protesters. On the contrary, going to one may put protesters at
risk, and provide a false image of legitimacy to the Iranian government
lies about foreign "meddling" or intervention in these domestic
protests.
American visitors to Iran, including dual
nationals, should strongly consider leaving Iran until this present
crisis is resolved. As shown by past incidents, including the
arrests and expulsion of American and other foreign journalists, this
regime may use them as pawns in the fight to retain power, and make
false allegations against them for political purposes, or take them as
hostages. The same is true of the British, French, or any others
who this regime may accuse of supporting the protesters. Do not
wait for this to happen. Get out of Iran now. Governments
will not want to urge their citizens to do so, lest this be perceived as
provocative, but use your common sense.
June 22,
2009 - The British Embassy is reportedly already evacuating diplomats
and citizens.
Selected recent news headlines, report
links, and comments related to events in Iran
Berman Post blog has been running an interesting series of day by day
links to news reports, blogs, and videos or photos about the Iranian election results and
protest demonstrations.
August 15, 2009 -
Iranian Revolution - Over - Berman Post gives up on daily coverage
after 62 days. By now, most American bloggers (other than some
Iranian Americans) have stopped covering the repression, since it
seems to have driven the protesters off the streets for now.
That doesn't mean it is "over" in Iran. It lost the attention of
the American news media long ago when it became obvious that Obama
didn't want to talk about it. In any case, this final post has
links to all of his former ones, such as the earlier ones below.
Day 35 (July 17, 2009)
Iranian Revolution - huge protests again after Rafsanjani speech
October 10, 2009 -
New Iran sanctions could strengthen Rev. Guard -
Comment: Similar excuses were used in the past to justify not
standing up to the Soviet Union. The return of Carter foreign
policy?
October 7, 2009 -
Iran FM accuses US in nuke scientist disappearance - Comment:
Interesting. Did an Iranian scientist defect in Saudi Arabia, and
disclose some of the Iranian plans in recent months? That might
explain why the Iranians recently revealed a hidden facility after
realizing that it had been exposed.
September 30, 2009 -
West goes to Iran talks - and readies sanctions - Comment: This
AP writer says "The fact that the meeting is taking place at all offers
some hope ..." Stop repeating the White House talking points!
It would offer some hope if the Iranians actually wanted to talk about
ending their nuclear weapons ambitions as well as their support for
international terrorism because they feared that it would soon lead to
their own destruction rather than expansion of their own power or the
return of the twelfth imam after triggering a global holocaust.
This meeting is a terrible diplomatic blunder by Obama, who is rapidly
proving his potential to be a far worse president than Carter (no small
accomplishment).
September 28, 2009 -
Iran tests its longest-range missiles - Comment: Given
their recent expressions of friendship and military cooperation, try
doing a 1200 mile radius from Venezuela. That's just enough to
reach Miami - but their range is increasing with North Korean and
Russian technology.
Pay dirt: Digging, clues revealed Iranian site- Exposed after
many years of persistent lies. How can we possibly trust any
agreement with this duplicitous Iranian regime of fanatics to be
verifiable?
August 31, 2009 -
Report: Doctor confirms Iran prisoner abuse death - Comment:
The tyranny goes on. Will Obama even bother to express his typical "deep
concern" about this bit of news? More likely, it will be ignored, like
all the other atrocities which don't seem to bother him very much.
August 20, 2009 -
Outgoing IAEA chief has tough choice on Iran - Comment:
Watch for this report to be punted beyond November, as it has been since
last September. How about a Nobel for appeasement?
August 11, 2009 -
Iranian opposition puts election unrest toll at 69 - Comment:
The fact that the government doesn't really care how many Iranians it
killed to disrupt the protests is the one detail which seems to be
beyond dispute. The end always justifies the means for such
tyrants.
August 9, 2009 -
Clinton: No illusions Iran will return to talks - Comment:
Gradually retreating from the Obama charm offensive / US apology tour in
the face of continued tyranny. Remember the promise to do
something if there is no response by September.
July 18, 2009 -
Powerful Iranian cleric says country in crisis - Comment:
Massive protests again. It's still not clear whether Rafsanjani
and Mousavi can turn these protests to their own advantage.
July 16, 2009 -
Iranian nuclear chief resigns - Comment: Quietly, 20 days
ago. Related to his support of Mousavi and Rafsanjani?
Another indication of leadership bickering behind the scenes.
July 11, 2009 -
Iranian-Americans rally in front of White House - Comment:
Unfortunately, a White House which scorns hundreds of thousands at Tea
Parties will also ignore 200 Iranian-Americans.
July 8, 2009 -
Clerical discontent challenges Iran leader - Comment:
Interesting speculation about growing dissent among the marjas, and
their recent silence about the election outcome.
July 7, 2009 -
Iran opposition chiefs call for detainees release - Comment:
Why not call them political prisoners? "Detainees" makes it sound
as though they have just been inconvenienced. Meanwhile, the
dithering EU nations can't even decide to recall their ambassadors.
Typical.
July 3, 2009 -
Iranian cleric: British Embassy staff to be tried - Comment:
Not just any cleric.
Ayatollah Ahmad Jannati chairs the Guardian Council, and has long
opposed the reformists. Keep in mind that the local staff of an
embassy enjoy no diplomatic immunity, so they are easy targets.
The British and EU can provide moral support and maybe apply some
pressure, but probably not much.
July 2, 2009 -
Iran reports more protest arrests - Comment: The
leadership is still trying to sell the idea that these protests were
instigated by foreigners, which is too absurd for many to believe.
What little public credibility they have left is being lost by trying to
spread such transparent lies while people in Iran recognize the obvious
crackdown on the media, Internet and other communications.
July 2, 2009 -
Iran's reformists call Islamic regime illegitimate - Comment:
Not exactly. It is one thing to challenge the election of
Ahmedinejad, and quite another matter to declare that the Islamic
revolutionary leadership regime of the past 30 years is no longer
legitimate and should go. There may be an implied challenge to
their absolute authority, but this movement isn't a coup attempt.
July 1, 2009 -
Iran reformists show fresh defiance against regime - Comment:
They are now comparing the election to a coup by Ahmedinejad.
Maybe they have noticed the Honduras news, where world leaders were
quick to condemn a coup even while not worrying about legitimacy in
Iran.
July 1, 2009 -
Iran militia wants probe of opposition leader - Comment:
Since legitimacy doesn't matter to Obama or others, such a probe should
be as trustworthy as the election results.
June 29, 2009 - Commentary by Fawaz Gerges of Sarah Lawrence College
on CNN.com :
Iran's sons and daughters will win- optimistic title, but with
no clear way forward for the protesters
June 29, 2009 -
Iran says partial recount shows election valid -
Comment: Minnesotans take note. They claim to have recounted
10% of 40 million votes in just one day. It's amazing how quickly
these disputed election results can be resolved when the outcome is
fixed in advance.
June 29, 2009 -
Iran recount seen as bid to placate opposition - Comment:
Won't a recount of fraudulently stuffed ballot boxes yield similar
results? The protesters want the vote done over.
June 28, 2009 -
Iran's crackdown quiets streets but not anger - Comment: 3000
protesters in north Tehran being attacked again by riot police.
The rooftops of Tehran still echo the frustration.
June 28, 2009 -
Obama officials say talks with Iran still possible - Comment:
Note this quote by the AP report of what the US ambassador to the
UN, Susan Rice, said: "The legitimacy of the government, while
questioned by the people of Iran, is not the critical issue for the U.S.
goal of preventing Iran from developing a nuclear capability".
Wow. Tyrants of the world, rejoice.
The
White House word of the day, both for David Axelrod on ABC and Susan
Rice on NBC, was to characterize Ahmedinejad's accusations as
"bloviating". Is this latest stunt trying to suggest that Bill
O'Reilly of Fox News is the moral equivalent of that tyrant? That
seems similar to other red herrings, like their attacks on Rush
Limbaugh. The obvious point is that it is the Obama administration
which is doing the bloviating these days - through empty rhetoric as
they try to distract from their failed policy initiatives and growing
evidence of weakness and naivete.
Watch for the "final"
decision by the Guardian Council about the election on Monday, June 29.
June 28 - Fareed Zakaria of Newsweek - "No
velvet revolution for Iran" - Comment: The column isn't
too impressive, but some reader comments are insightful (plus the usual
lunatics). It does raise an interesting question about whether
Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani might speak up on this.
June 26, 2009 -
Obama scoffs at Ahmedinejad apology demand - Comment: Still
all talk and no actions - even symbolic ones. At least Carter
froze Iranian assets in the hostage crisis as an unexpected symbolic
gesture. Obama has rescinded July 4 party invitations.
Impressed yet?
June 26, 2009 - Iran: new audience for US scholar's protest guide -
Comment: This regime is very different than the ones which
collapsed under pressure in other countries. A better analogy
might be Tiananmen Square - where the regime is still firmly in power 20
years later after making economic progress while persistently cracking
down on dissent. Similarly, the ruthless regime in North Korea has
managed to survive a long time as a failed state, as have others such as
Mugabe's Zimbabwe. Ultimately, the economic failures of the regime
in Iran will probably bring about their collapse as unrest grows, but
that will take time. 30 years of tyranny and counting.
June 25, 2009 - WSJ Opinion - Iran 2.0 -
The world of wired dissidents will grow - Comment: Still failing
to see the connection / similarities to the Tea Party movement here.
Why is the writer suggesting that the Defense Dept take the lead instead
of State on net outreach?
June 25, 2009 -
Iran reform leader says he won't end his challenge - Comment:
The street protests may have diminished in the face of ruthless
repression, but the opposition is still there - and it is no longer just
about the usual election fraud. Mousavi's defiance would seem to
suggest that Rafsanjani is making a power play, but this may not work
out as any of them had intended. The visibility of
Grand Ayatollah Montazeri is an interesting new twist - as a rival
to Khamenei?
June 24, 2009 -
Unimaginable horror in Tehran today - Comment: Gruesome
images, including the ax murder of a young man by the Basij militia.
More stories on
ThreatsWatch.org How can the Obama administration waffle about
the response to such barbarous atrocities?
June 24, 2009 -
Mousavi wife compares Iran state to martial law - Comment:
No. I lived under General Zia's martial law in Pakistan for a
couple of years after the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. This
tyranny is clearly even worse - almost as bad and as out of touch with
basic human decency (not just basic human rights) as the Stalinist
regime in North Korea. Khamenei is proving himself to be as
ruthless a tyrant as some of the worst ones in the history of the world.
This is no longer about yet another rigged Iranian election. His
20 year reign of terror as the successor to Ayatollah Khomeini must end,
but Rafsanjani / Mousavi aren't a big improvement. As in Iraq,
this regime has crushed all opposition for so long that there are few
good alternatives.
June 23, 2009 -
Iran's top electoral body rules out vote annulment - Comment: So
what if the votes exceeded the number of voters? So what if
Ahmedinejad won in places where there were indications that he lost by a
landslide? The Guardian Council is defending the result it wanted.
June 22, 2009 -
Riot police use tear gas to halt protest in Iran - Comment:
So, Obama says he was "moved" by the protests? Why hasn't he even
ordered the State Department to rescind his July 4 invitations for
Iranian diplomats to attend US Embassy receptions worldwide?
Hypocrite. He has even invited the Iranian Foreign Minister to the
upcoming G8 Summit. If he were actually a leader, he would be
working with all decent leaders of other countries to put serious
pressure on the Iranian government immediately, even if the UN won't
agree to do anything. Meanwhile, note that the British are already
evacuating their diplomats and other citizens.
June 21, 2009 -
Arrests of Rafsanjani kin show Iran clerics split - Comment: It
is very difficult to get reliable news out of Iran today, but clearly
Khamenei and Rafsanjani seem to be engaged in a power struggle for which
the election and the protests are just part of the picture. This
isn't just about whether Ahmedinejad actually defeated Mousavi as
Khamenei asserted so quickly. It is now a direct threat to the
unchallenged authority of Khamenei, and he has the power and will to
fight.
June 21, 2009 -
In Tehran, an eery calm as death toll jumps to 19 - Comment:
Officially. The actual casualties remain impossible to
verify since the government has blocked all media. There are many
rumors as the protesters try to get their story out despite the Iranian
government.
June 20, 2009 - CNN -
Chaos prevails as protesters, police clash in Iranian capital -
Comment: Unconfirmed reports that Mir Hossein Moussavi is
calling for a general strike as the Basiji militia crack down on
protesters and terrorize neighborhoods to intimidate the opposition.
June 20, 2009 -
Top cleric may be playing role in Iran unrest - Comment:
AP speculation about the possibly conflicting ambitions of Rafsanjani
and Khamenei in the present political crisis.
June 16, 2009 - Asia Times -
Rafsanjani Gambit Backfires- Commentary by a former Indian
Ambassador and career diplomat with extensive experience in the region,
but not in Iran. He seems to think that Rafsanjani made a mistake
by backing Mousavi, whose supporters he writes off as irrelevant elites,
and feels that the election results (which he doesn't seem to question
at all) reinforce the power of Khamenei. He also asserts that
"tens of millions" of Basiji militia were mobilized as a repeat of the
2005 election to support Ahmadinejad with a "thumping" victory.
June 2, 2009 - US inviting Iranian diplomats to July 4 parties -
Comment: Let's do better than the White House and State
Department on this outreach initiative. Let's invite all the
Iranian refugees in this country who have fled the tyranny in Iran to
live in freedom here to join us at Tea Party protests across America on
July 4, and show their opposition to appeasement toward the Iranian
zealots.
May 24, 2009 - Iran cuts access to Facebook as election looms -
Comment: Before the "Tea Party" movement here took advantage
of Facebook and other social networking channels to rally opposition to
what our political leaders have been doing to us, young Iranians and
people in other countries who face even worse tyranny have already found
their voice and potential for collaboration through online channels.
It's now being blocked by the leadership as a potential threat to their
power. Meanwhile, the Obama White House staff is
producing their own online propaganda videos and direct online
communications, much to the chagrin of some members of the White
House press corps.
May 20, 2009 - Iran says it tests missile, Israel within range -
Comment: Just in time for the election in Iran, and the Netanyahu
visit to Obama. Is it true? Past claims were not always
reliable, but it is an indication of intent to be able to credibly
threaten Israel or others as soon as possible.
April 9, 2009 - US dealings with Iran remain on a slippery path -
Comment: Dangerously naive and weak
would be more accurate, not slippery. Why engage them at all
before their elections? Let them make the first move if they have
any serious interest in negotiations which address our concerns.
March 21, 2009 - Iran's response to US shows mind-set of leadership
- Comment: At least AP reporters in the region seem to
understand how naive and harmful Obama's approach may prove to be.
Like Bill Clinton in Iraq, he may have just thrown any real opposition
movement in Iran under the bus. Ahmedinejad and Khamenei can claim
victory over George Bush's obvious support of regime change.
March 21, 2009 - Iran's supreme leader dismisses Obama overtures -
Comment: Nothing lost in translation this time, unlike the
"reset" overture to Medvedev recently. They don't want to be
friends, especially during their election cycle. Happy Nowruz,
Obama. Welcome to the real world, like Carter. Still waiting
for "moderates" to be elected to power in Iran, 30 years later?
Hello? Is anybody there?
Potentially
useful background information about Iran
February 23, 2004 - Michael Ledeen, in National Review Online -
The Great Iranian Election Fiasco - Comment: Background
for those who may not realize that opposition to the regime in Iran has
been quietly growing for many years - not because of our policy toward
Iran, but because ordinary Iranians have been frustrated but silenced
into largely symbolic protests of this tyranny, such as by abstaining en
masse from participation in sham elections despite exhortations to vote.
Country Studies: Iran - US Library of Congress, Federal Research
Division - extensive background study about Iran from ancient to
modern times, published in 1987 but still relevant for historical and
cultural perspective.
Pars Tourist Agency -
map of
Iran provinces, with very basic background information. This
simple overview may be of interest to illustrate the size and diversity
of the country beyond Tehran. The company apparently specializes
in handling inbound tours to explore the historical legacy of Iran.
Iran
(Persia) is a beautiful country with a great legacy. This video
offers a glimpse of it. We should not let the political
perspective of recent decades obscure the many past centuries of
greatness.
Published
background information about Iranian leaders
This
is not intended to be a detailed introduction or overview of Iranian
politics. It simply provides a few potentially useful links for
reference, without any endorsement of their content. Note that
Wikipedia content is not always unbiased, complete, or factually
reliable, but may be useful background as a convenient starting point
for research through other available sources.
Wikipedia references to various Iranian government or opposition leaders
Senator John McCain delivers the July 4th GOP address and speaks about
opposition to tyranny and showing solidarity with the protesters in Iran
who want to be heard and have their votes counted.
Miscellaneous blogs related to the
Iranian election protests
Please keep in mind that some are refugees from the
1979 revolution, or are simply immigrants and visitors who have chosen
to come here since that time, while some Iranians in America may
actually be supportive of the current regime in Iran. In this
country, they enjoy such freedom to express dissenting views. We
should defend their right to do so, even if we disagree vehemently.
More often, however, we may find that we have a lot in
common with people from Iran, as we do with immigrants from other
countries. Here, we manage to live and work together in peace to
achieve progress. Sometimes we hardly even notice their presence
in our communities, but we should respect that they have chosen to live
here because of basic values which we share.
The government of Iran may still regard America as the
"Great Satan", and we may still regard that government as a dangerous
leader of the "Axis of Evil", but Iranians in America should enjoy the
chance to see that we the people are not their enemy unless they provoke
such a relationship. Our tradition is "e pluribus unum" - out of
many, one. They are welcome here as individuals with their own
American dream, despite whatever differences we may have with the
government of Iran.
For those who may not yet be familiar with The Christian
Science Monitor, it is an excellent objective source of independent
national and global reporting. We have no affiliation with it, but
respect it highly as a news source which focuses on more in-depth
research and analysis than just the latest bad news event of the day.
Business Development
Referrals and research tools - Where to grow a business.
The
inclusion of any website links on this site does not reflect any endorsement
of their content, or vice versa. This information is just shared
openly for the convenient reference of our visitors.
