Editor’s Note: The following article was written by a leader in the Green movement in Iran who wishes to remain anonymous.
TEHRAN — The unfolding drama in the Arab world that has already brought down despots in Tunisia and Egypt has been watched closely here in Iran—and with a degree of amazement and envy on our part. We Green activists, along with the daily growing number of ‘regular’ people disgusted with the religious despotism of Ayatollah Khamenei and with the daily deteriorating economic situation, are asking: ‘How do I differ from these Arabs? Why has our own Green Movement, which back in 2009 shook the authoritarian and corrupt pillars of Khamenei’s Islamic government, failed to achieve the popular goals of democracy and seemingly fizzled out?’
For the many Iranians who tend to have, justifiably or not, a sense of cultural and intellectual superiority in relation to the Arabs, the reality that Arabs have and are achieving these goals through political action from below has hurt national pride and confidence. It is asked, ‘Are they more brave than we are? Better organized? More thirsty for democratization?’ Failing to answer these questions we ask, ‘What is next for our struggle for freedom and therefore our ancient country? Is our Green Movement still viable and willing and able to challenge the clerical despotism of Khamenei and those groups and figures complicit in blocking our in… >>>
