Word is that thousands are demonstrating in Teheran, only to be met with force by the government. We missed the boat on supporting the anti-theocracy uprising after Ahmadinejad's rigged re-election. If we supported the demonstrators in Cairo, we can do the same in Teheran. It's time to bring real democracy to Iran; it's what they wanted when they pushed the Shah out in 1979, only to have it pushed aside by the mullahs.
This is what I said years ago about one of the things about the Iraq war. The westernization and liberation of Iraq from their dictator would encourage other nations to follow.
I don't really feel that had much to do with it. It had more to do with 30%+ unemployment and living under the thumb of a ruler who ran the country like if the Mafia ran it. Nobody had any rights. In fact, some of the demonstrations going on by citizens unhappy with their government, Iraq is one of them. Amazingly enough they are demonstrating about the huge unemployment rate and the lack of services being provided by the government.
I think they overcompensated to make sure that it doesn't happen to them (show of force). However, as time goes by and other former dictatorships in the middle east fall and old traditions and ways of thinking are changed, so does places like Iran. The people will eventually revolt when they see places like Iraq and Egypt being liberated.
I generally agree with your logic, that realizing things can change will encourage other citizenry to revolt. But I think that a lot of rulers in the middle east used Iraq as an example of why they must stay strong. That the "evil" western world is trying to do bad things, thus you must keep strong dictat... er... holy leader in place! I must admit a lot of my knowledge is hearsay that Iranians were excited about change before we invaded Iraq, and less so after.
First it's foolish to say that Iraq is actually "liberated", it's a mess & who knows when they'll have a stable functioning government w/o US intervention. Frankly the place could fall into a heated civil war the moment the USA leaves. I am doubting that citizens of the middle east view the Iraq invasion, which cost 100,000 civilian lives, as an inspiring story of liberation & democracy. Keep in mind that Egypt is overthrowing a US puppet. I don't think the Egyptian people have warm fuzzy feelings for the USA or feel the US policy in Iraq has anything to do with their uprising. For all we know, waiting 7 - 8 years for Facebook & Twitter to take over the middle east might have achieved greater results than the Iraq war at much less cost.
Mullahs and the Iranian gov't are arresting protesters. Is it time for our President to stand up for the Iranian people, just like he stood up for the Egyptian people at the expense of a quasi-ally? The existing regime is placing the blame on violent protesters, of course, it's their own state-run media making these claims. http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/02/14/us-iran-opposition-idUSTRE71D1RT20110214
Is it really any of our business? For the most part we let things play out in Egypt and I think it came to a good conclusion- the people made the choice. Same with Iran, if enough people get fed up, there will be changes. That said, I have no problem with Obama taking sides, per se, but to actively support revolution is not wise for a government to do.
The Shah was run off because he was viewed as a puppet of America, which he was to some extent. Democracy was not wanted back then, nor is it now. If anything, Ahmadinejad is viewed as too "Western" to Iranians.
