IRAN’S “SOFT POWER” INCREASINGLY CHECKS U.S. POWER
Race For Iran / Flynt Leverett and Hillary Mann Leverett
13-Oct-2010 (6 comments)

Twenty years ago, Harvard’s Joseph Nye famously coined the term “soft power” to describe what he saw as an increasingly important factor in international politics—the capacity of “getting others to want what you want”, which he contrasted with the ability to coerce others through the exercise of “hard” military and/or economic power. The question of soft power, when it comes to Iran, is contentious. Most analysts seem prepared to acknowledge that the Islamic Republic’s soft power in the Middle East rose significantly in the first several years of this decade. But many Western analysts now argue that Tehran’s regional soft power has declined over the last couple of years, following the election of Barack Obama as President of the United States, the fallout from the Islamic Republic’s June 2009 presidential election, and the imposition of new sanctions against Iran over its nuclear activities.

Others—including the two of us—argue that Iranian soft power remains strategically significant and is perhaps even still growing. In this regard, we are struck by two developments today. First, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad traveled to Beirut—the first visit by an Iranian president to the Lebanese capital since President Mohammad Khatami went there in 2003. Although White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said the visit demonstrated that Ahmadinejad was continuing his “provocative ways” and that Hizballah “values its allegiance to Ira... >>>

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Fesenjoon

As usual...

by Fesenjoon on Thu Oct 14, 2010 02:18 PM PDT

As usual, more and more baad-e shekam statements. 

"IRAN’S SOFT POWER INCREASINGLY CHECKS U.S. POWER"?

Oh really? with what?

لابد با صدور روزافزون آفتابه 

The only reason this regime is still in power is because they have the audacity to rule the people at gunpoint, calling it divine authority.

 شاه هم حتی از این گه‌ها نخورد

 


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Veiled Prophet of Khorasan

As usual

by Veiled Prophet of Khorasan on Thu Oct 14, 2010 10:41 AM PDT

 

Leveretts get paid to make Iran hated by the West. In prepration for a Western attack. You should have no doubt what their goal is: destroy the sympathy for Iranian people.

After the fake "elections" AN the Iranian people rose up. This generated a lot of sympathy for Iranians in the minds of Western people. That posed a problem for some specially right wing Neo Cons who wanted to see Iran utterly destroyed. They as usual went to work under the cover. To this end they employed Leveretts. Their job: to make is appear that Iranian people are frothing at the mouth AN supporters. Once this is done the West will have "no choice" but to destroy Iran. Now do you get it?

Regarding SP: I am glad to have the voice of insanity in IC. To let all people see what an Islamic Iran hater view really is.

To Leveretts: We are not stupid and won't fall for you garbage. Nice try ; no cigar.


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Sargord Pirouz

As usual, the Leveretts make

by Sargord Pirouz on Thu Oct 14, 2010 09:53 AM PDT

As usual, the Leveretts make a good point. They're probably the best analysts and policy advocates on Iran, we have right now. They're certainly among the most reliable.

But, for folks that are anti-Iran, they're thoroughly resented- mostly for being right nearly all of the time.

Yeah, the rapprochement they preach is good for the US and good for Iran. For Iranian rxiles with chips on their shoulders, apparently not so much. 


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Anonymous Observer

So, you've got to be pretty busy these days IMF

by Anonymous Observer on Thu Oct 14, 2010 09:47 AM PDT

preparing for AN's visit to your hometown of Nabatiyeh.  But we know that you being...well you...the only thing that your hezbollah bosses are allowing you to do is to prepare the "aftabeh" for Ahmadi's toilet visit after his large Kefteh Kabob dinner with your boyfreind, Hassan Nasrollah.  It would have been nice if your IQ was a bit higher, so you could actually do something more important, but what are you gonna do.  Nature is really cruel... :-(


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Shifteh Ansari

Isn't it amazing how much resilience oil money and guns can get?

by Shifteh Ansari on Thu Oct 14, 2010 12:49 AM PDT

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is a fake and a fraud, supported by endless oil money and guns. He couldn't even win the election with any ordinary amount of cheating. They had to pull a coup in order to get this guy into power, killing, maiming, imprisoning, torturing, and raping beautiful young Iranians to hand this man his power.
It is unconscionable that some people would support and compliment this man. Though it is embarrassing to have a lying fraud like Mahmoud Ahmadinejad as president of Iran, it is more embarrassing to see educated people supporting him. This is simply inexcusable.


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Afshin Ehx

There Is a Problem with the Link

by Afshin Ehx on Wed Oct 13, 2010 11:12 PM PDT

Thanks for Posting this. There Is a Problem with the Link.

 Please fix it.


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