New US focus on Iran could signal another Cold War/More from Trita Parsi

"WASHINGTON: Provocative words by US President George W Bush and a fresh American military build-up in the Persian Gulf seem to mark a US new focus on Iran that could signal another Cold War or even a deadly confrontation.

As the USS Stennis aircraft carrier began its journey to the Gulf on Tuesday, top administration officials travelling in the region defended the increased US presence there as the only way to impress on Iran that the four-year war in Iraq has not made America vulnerable. Sending a second carrier to the Gulf for the first time since 2003 and positioning a Patriot missile battalion in the region mark a broader US stand in the Middle East at a time when diplomatic efforts with countries such as Iran and Syria have stalled. It also puts US policy at odds with the bipartisan Iraq Study Group’s recommendation that the administration should reach out to Iran and Syria to bring more regional support to Iraq.

Trita Parsi, an Iranian-born author and Middle East scholar, said the strategy will lead to an endless balance-of-power game that will drain American resources and undermine the US position in the region.

“If we think that we, in the long term, can keep a country like Iran constrained and contained, then we’re asking for a fight,” said Parsi, who is president of the National Iranian American Council. “Iran is a major power in that region. You cannot contain it without having a confrontation.”

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The tragedy, it seems, is not only that the country on the brink of implosion, and complete cultural and economic collapse, was the mecca and paradigm of Eastern-Western relations as well as a beacon of light and hope for prosperity and progressiveness in the Middle East. But also that that same country today, has become the mecca and paradigm of Anti-Western sentiment and a beacon of darkness and fear in the hearts of millions of innocent and oppressed peoples.

It seems everytime I read the news, America's war on terror inches closer and closer to the borders of Iran while the Mullah's war of terror seems to spread further and further into the heart of the Middle East and the international community. One may be naturally inclined to feel war is in enevitable and that they can only stand by and watch, wondering what will happen next, and where this shouldn't be true, it is.

The National Iranian American Council (NIAC), who's motto is to "promote Iranian-American participation in all areas of American civil life," has claimed to be the voice of the Iranian-American nation. But apparently, America hasn't heard anything, because all the NIAC has said, is to leave Iran alone. The NIAC has done good things for Iranian-American community locally, within the US, but is a poor force in establishing a "dialogue of nations" or for that matter, a table of solutions. As our only representative force for Iranians as a body in American government/congress, we expect much more, but dont have the luxury of the turning our backs either. Even if the represenative force for Iranians, is the represenative force for the Islamic Republic as well...

We are in a very tricky predicament, and at a very sensitive time in our history. Unfortunately, it seems that we have trapped ourselves into a corner, and keep coming back to the same conclusion. We protest voting in Iran, but don't want Ahmadinejad or any mullah. We push for no diplomacy from America, but we oppose US aggression on Iran. It's not working, none of it is working, because what were really saying, is we want it ALL gone. We want revolution. We want America to retreat and we want the IRI destroyed, and neither are happening. Things are getting worse and as America sinks into a deficit, Iran continues to sink into the Dark Ages. We are losing from both sides and I just can't comprehend why or how things are continuing down a path with no answers, and no immediate solutions.

Subconsciously, I keep imagining that this is all a dream, a temporary surreality that need only to be shaken to emerge from it's slumber and return to the majesty of it's true palpability. The irony, however, is that this is not far from the truth. The soul of Iran is in a slumber, hibernating somewhere beneath the footsteps of the nation. And it does need to be shaken, to awaken and reclaim it's children once more to repel these foreign invaders from our land.

Where's our Rostam now, our Ferdowsi?

Sadaam to Hang; Butcher of Bagdad Sent to Gallows

"Iraq's highest appeals court on Tuesday upheld Saddam Hussein's death sentence and said he must be hanged within 30 days for the killing of 148 Shiites in the central city of Dujail. The sentence "must be implemented within 30 days," chief judge Aref Shahin said. "From tomorrow, any day could be the day of implementation." On Nov. 5, an Iraqi court sentenced Saddam to the gallows for ordering the 1982 killings following an attempt on his life."

Coined by the west as the "Butcher of Baghdad" and recognized universally as the "Vampire of the Middle East," Sadaam was no doubt an evil and malevolent dictator set on regional domination through brute force and mercilessness. No one could tell you about the evilness and monstrosity of Sadaam Husseins better than the Iranians. Sadaam Hussein is one of the MOST significant reasons why the Islamic Republic is still in power and one of the most significant contributors to its solidification and establishment in the early years of the revolution. Had Iraq not attacked Iran after the revolution (though it attacked Iran specifically because of the revolution), the Iranian people would have sooner seen the treachery and fraudulence of the Regime, and because of it's raw and still-developing nature, would have had the power to do away with the Mullahs right there and then.

However, Sadaam Hussein's attack on Iran, forced Iranians to rally together (despite animosity and division toward the regime), to repel foreign invaders from their homeland. After many agonizing and bloody years, Iranians did prove successful in this feat, but the damage had already been done. The Islamic Republic had managed to plant its roots firmly in the soil of Iran, just as Muhammad's Army of God had done only 1400 years earlier.

And not only did Sadaam Hussein stabilize and establish the Islamic Republic, but it also led to the creation of the Basij, the Iranian-Islamic Para-military force of martyrs used similiarly to the Gestapo in ensuring that the word of Khomeninized Quran rule victorious throughout the land. A force that equipped the innocent and promising Iranian children of 10 years and younger with a Quran in one hand and a golden key (that would directly take them to heaven) in the other and sent them running through minefields to clear way for soldiers and tanks. So Sadaam Hussein's attack was not just a casualty tally for Iranians but rather an implentation and inaugeration of a regime that would for the next 27 years, continue to terrorize, opress, torture, and murder all those who defied its will, and it's mission.

So would it not be natural for an Iranian like myself to be pleased, even over-joyed and ecstatic with such a verdict, that such an evil and vile man, responsible for the current grim reality of my country, be executed and pay for the crimes he has commmitted against my people and the people of the Middle East?

The answer is NO. No it is not natural, because if we claim to be against tyranny and unconstitutionality and claim to be men and women of justice, and followers of the ancient rite of Ahura Mazda, to conduct ourselves in accordance with the principles of good thoughts, good words, and good deeds, then it must then be apparent, and equally obvious, that though this man is evil and criminal, he deserves to be brought to justice through justice. What George Bush and his Administration of patsys and warmongers have done, is ensure that the law of the land will NOT prevail but rather the law of Bush. This administration has used a MEANS to justify an END, and never should such a strategy be confused with JUSTICE.

Sadaam deserves to hang, I agree, but not THIS way. By ignoring and disregarding procedure, (illegally invading a foreign country), using lies and manipulation to sway public support (claiming Sadaam had weapons of mass destruction and a threat to U.S. security), and using criminal and irresponsible abuse of power to achieve personal and financial satisfaction (defying and opposing the U.S. constitution by suspending habeas corpus and promoting legal torture and indefinite imprisonment without trial) this President and this Administration have singlehandedly used the same tactics dictators and occupational regimes (including the Islamic Republic of Iran) have used for centuries to illegally and immorally achieve political gain by superceding the law and the public consent. I can't stress this enough, the means CANNOT justify the end. You cannot disregard every national and international law, the will of the people of both nations, and basic rights of humanity (first laid down 2,500 years ago by Cyrus the Great) and then say, "Hey, we got the bastard!" I'm sorry, as a man of principle and justice, I would be a liar, a fraud, and a hypocrit if I supported one iota of this verdict. This is not true justice, this is not true freedom. This is legal terrorism, this is treachery.

Becuase of the United States, Iran's most prominent buffer, Sadaam Hussein and his regime, are now non-existent, and Iraq has become literally become a devil's playground for the IRI to manipulate, influence, and control the Middle East and Western influences in region even more greatly than it could have ever imagined 5 years ago. Bush and his admininstration have set up the perfect recipe for disaster in the region; Iraq no longer exists, Anti-American sentiment is as high as ever, regional civil war will ensue for the next 100 years, and the Islamic Republic has become the most powerful Middle Eastern power next to Israel. The incompetantcy of this regime is not only shameful, but criminal. I saw an interesting bumber sticker a while ago that read, "At least when Clinton lied, nobody died." Couldn't be more true. What we really need to see is a scenario where the real saboteurs of our great political system our held accountable, not the little fish who decided to do the naughty naughty in the oval office.

It is for the reasons above that I personally am COMPLETELY against this illegal and sham verdict disguised in the name of justice, and masked in the persuit of freedom. I urge all of you to oppose this verdict on the basis of true justice and integrity. No one hates Sadaam more than us Iranians, so obviously it's hard not to say just let the bastard hang, but remember, it was the same treachery and deciet that led Eisenhower to convince the United States that Mossadegh was a communist and use the same tactics of manipulation to infiltrate Iran and remove the man from power. In this case, Sadaam was a bad guy, but he could have equally and just as easily been a good man like Mossadegh. This is what I called "blind justice," a tactic in which a superpower like that of the U.S. acts in their own best interest (being good or evil; preference not significant) under the false notion of positive and nessessary ideals like security, peace, freedom, and democracy to accomplish the goals nessessary to THEM.

When a terrorist kills a terrorist, has justice really been served?

Deny this execution. Protest this verdict. Support true democracy and true justice.

Payande bad azadi vagheyi!

Iranian Activist Seeks U.S. Support

A leading Iranian student activist is calling for the Bush administration to directly fund opposition groups seeking to topple the theocratic regime in Tehran.

Manucher Mohammadi escaped from Iran last month after his brother and fellow democratic activist, Akbar Mohammadi, died in Tehran’s Evin prison. Manucher Mohammadi says his brother was severely tortured during seven years in prison and ultimately died from his injuries.

Mohammadi arrived in the U.S. earlier this month and has taken a fellowship at Washington’s National Endowment for Democracy. He says he’s using his time in Washington to meet senior Congressional and administration officials, such as Elliot Abrams, the National Security Council’s point man on the Middle East.

“I’d like the U.S. government to lend spiritual support to the Iranian opposition…and to support it financially,” Mohammadi said at a news conference held at Freedom House today. “We need to develop a plan of action and put it to work.”

The U.S. Congress has allocated $75 million this year to promote democracy in Iran, much of which will go to radio stations beaming programming into Iran. It’s unclear if Mohammadi’s organization, which he’s calling the Anti-Dictatorial Front, could be eligible for U.S. government funding, which is distributed through the State Department.

The Mohammadi brothers achieved prominence in 1999 for helping to lead major student protests against the Iranian regime. They men were subsequently sentenced to 15 years in prison.

-END ARTICLE-

I think we're beyond the point of pleading the help of foreign superpowers who's primary agenda is NEVER that of our own. This is our battle and it is apparent that the only people who truly care about democracy in Iran are Iranians themselves. There CANNOT be any other reason to support freedom and referendum other than simply wanting to see Iran free. Have we still not learned our lesson? America and Britain's historical presence in Iran, has done nothing but crush the democracy we once had, and pour salt on the wound left thereafter by CREATING the Islamic Republic! Enough is enough. Why are we still pulling at the pantlegs of countries who's deeds and actions are not even worthy of being classified as destructive, but in reality, saboteur?

We are in this mess because of foreign powers. Thanks to the CIA and MI6 in the 50's...our first chance at democracy was crushed when propaganda and false flag operations were launched against democratic and secular Mossedegh (falsely idenifying him as an anti-muslim, communist), to protect what of course, oil interests. Then again, when our next ruler, Shah Pahlavi, proved too progressive for American liking, once again they shot out the legs from beneath us and plundered us into the Islamic Dark Ages with their new found toy, Islam. And now AGAIN, they say they support regime change in Iran. We have gone through three different governments (Democratic Republic, Monarchy, and Islamic Rule) and still, they are not satisfied. And in each one they have played a pivotal role. Does all this foreign meddling not make you sick?

Iran is ours, and no one else's. Iran is our fight, not the West's. If they truly want to aid the cause of democracy in Iran, they can do so by preventing known terrorists like Khatami from getting a visa and safe passage into the United States to preach at Marriots about how he supports the west and disapproves of Islamic terrorism. The man who himself was responsible for the 1999 attacks of pro-democracy student activists in Iran! They can help us by not giving the IRI chances to succeed and get stronger by leaving buffers like Sadaam Hussein alone. They can help us, by making our plight known to the world and protecting Iranian interests and heritage here and in Europe.

The sooner we realize that this is our fight, and that this is our country, the sooner we can redirect our energies and resources toward a cause that we bled and cried for. Don't let the West have a hand in our revolution, they only want to the see their interests protected. They could care less about ensuring that the sun continues to set on the remains of great Perspolis or that our women can walk freely in public, displaying their world-renowned Persian beauty to the entire world. If their hearts are not with us, we don't want their support. Because even if they help us, and we do win our democracy, don't think that there part is over, they are going to stick around and protect their investment; exactly like how they did 27 years ago.

Be wise. This is a landmark moment in Iranian history. These are some of the darkest years we have been through as a nation, and though we have survived and maintained our heritage throughout the conquests of Alexander, Ghengis Khan, and even Islam, if we do not continue to throw wood on this fire, the flame of revolution will wither and die. We are known for our resilience to opposition, and it's time to live up to that title once again.

The only crime is apathy. A crime which keeps the good scared and the evil rich. Evil prevails when good men do nothing.

God Bless Iran!

PAYANDEH BAD KHAKE IRAN MA!
ZENDE BAD AZAD!