Misreading Iran's unrest
Los Angeles Times / Alastaire Crooke
12-Jul-2009 (3 comments)

The West should also understand that there are clerics in both Qom and Tehran, some of whom despise Ahmadinejad, who nonetheless share his view that some senior clerics have failed to actualize the spirit of the revolution in their lifestyles. The Revolutionary Guard too is probably much more radical in wanting genuine reform than is generally understood.
What we are dealing with is a complex struggle over the future course of the revolution. It is a struggle for the future vision of Iran that is overlaid by deep personality differences that in turn arouse deep passions.
For now, it is clear that a powerful determination has emerged in the wake of the election to exorcise the Rafsanjani-Khatami circles from the establishment, fueled by a growing popular anger as the evidence of their external links to the West is being carefully examined. Rafsanjani, who is well aware of the dangers of becoming isolated and excluded from the circles of power, is now walking a tightrope.

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Majid Zahrai

This guy thinks it's all about mullah's blanket

by Majid Zahrai on Sun Jul 12, 2009 01:55 AM PDT

While it may be true that this is a power struggle among the clergy and their cronies, what everybody has underestimated is the wave of unanswered demands among the Iranian youth.  A wave that even with any potential peace among the top clergy, will not be put to rest so easily anymore.


Balatarin
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hamsade ghadimi

hope versus expectation

by hamsade ghadimi on Sun Jul 12, 2009 09:03 AM PDT

forget about the westerners, even i hope that the regime will fall. however, the great majority of iranians, despite their hopes, are more realistic and know that it is a long battle to change this entrenched government.  this is a long-term struggle and the protesters have risked a tremendous amount to invest in this struggle.

the article seems one-sided and only talks about the internal struggle among the 'elite' (i cringe when referring to these murderers as elite). there is also the view that the protesters are not merely pawns in the clergy battle, and in fact have used this opportunity to show their true dissatisfaction of the system.


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Fred

Traction has been gained

by Fred on Sun Jul 12, 2009 04:15 AM PDT

Mr. Crooke being a former “British intelligence agent” a contradiction in terms, and an advisor to the dizzy-head Solana is partially right. Many wishful compatriots have put their trust into the unworthy and are reading too much into too little that they offer.

 But that does not mean there is not an opening for the sound-minded fixated on achieving the ultimate prize to explore and exploit--full-fledged democracy in Iran in our lifetime.

The exhilarating news is many loosely knit in Iran, which makes it next to impossible for the Islamist cutthroats regime to stamp out, are doing just the right thing. There is no going back, traction has been gained.


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