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Reza Joon, man up or get out!
21-Mar-2011
On March 6th at 12am, a BBC reporter slipped into the city of Zawiya under heavy fighting between the Libyan government forces and the rebels. As he wondered the streets, the BBC reporter came across a rebel fighter who was walking about, smoking a cigarette. The reporter stopped the rebel and asked him who and where his leader was. The rebel pointed at the sky and said, “God. He is up there somewhere.”
Just like the Libyan uprising, the Iranian democracy movement is pretty much in the hands of fate. With no cohesive strategy, mixed signals, characters with questionable pasts, infightings and conflicting reports of whereabouts of green movement leaders, the people’s demands for that illusive democracy is again grinding to a halt.
As the green movement’s leadership goes MIA and its organizational structure falters under the weight of IRI pressure and self-inflicted wounds, Reza Pahlavi finds an opening to fill the vacuum. Pahlavi in recent weeks has stepped up his efforts to repaint a new image of himself among Iranians. Pahlavi, who understands the value of good PR, has been making the rounds in Iranian satellite TV circus, answering questions that have been haunting him for the past thirty years. This sudden shift of strategy is helping his image and keeping him in the loop as a possible contender.
RP is taking a page from the US political playbook. His strategy is simple. Wait for the right opportunity to throw jabs. He comes in to political forefront every time the green movement suffers a setback. And during the green movement’s occasional moments of glory, he fades into shadows and waits for the next opportunity. This strategy keeps him around as a relevant player without exposing him to too much risk. RP is betting on the possibility that the green movement will eventually evolve into a secular movement with nationalistic connotation, and if that happens, he will be the VIP guest at the party and most likely at the top of the leadership food chain.
But Reza is committing a serious miscalculation. He does not quite understand the mentality of the very same people his father and especially grandfather ruled for many years. Reza Pahlavi is betting his money on a few westernized, educated Iranians who embrace and understand the structural hierarchy of a sound political system. That strategy is a big failure. Iran is a heavily traditional society. A society that heroism and valor is embedded in its DNA.
The very fiber of Iranian society is made from what Fereydoun Hoveyda called “Rostam Syndrome.” Iran is a country that its core population embraces leaders who display selfless acts of bravery... leaders who are willing to sacrifice everything they have to fight against what they believe are direct attacks on the good of the society. Now, that has not always paid off for our people. We often end up with leaders who hurt us more than they help us. Nevertheless, we are who we are.
Reza Pahlavi’s grandfather is a good example of Iranians’ infatuation with bravery in leadership. Reza Khan was a commander that led from the front. He repeatedly displayed courage under fire as he stored his dominion. He began an all-out assault against tribal bandits who terrorized the Fars province. He personally battled the tribal leaders, killed the bandits and stored order in a region that had never heard of the word: law. He then went to war against mullahs and did something unheard of before him. He intimidated, harassed and hung mullahs from ropes. That was challenging the status quo with courage not words... something that Iranians had not experienced much during the reign of the Qajar Dynasty.
Unlike Reza Khan, his son was not exactly what you call the icon of bravery. He repeatedly fled the country during the times of crisis and hardly ever showed any acts of selfless courage. Khomeini on the other hand, driven by paranoia that crusaders were still at war with Islam, and Israel and the US were on the path of destroying the very fabric of the Islamic values, showed courage by standing against shah and the imaginary forces behind him. Khomeini did not carry much credibility with Iranians at the beginning of the revolution but his status was elevated to Rostam when he intimidated shah to pack and leave.
Reza Pahlavi so far has shown no such courage. He has repeatedly missed opportunities to capture his people’s imagination. He seems to be relying too much on good old lip service (I volunteered to go back to Iran as a pilot to fight against Iraq’s invasion) instead of showing true courage through actions.
Pahlavi strikes me as a person who genuinely believes and respects personal freedoms. He displays a high degree of intelligence and great love for his country. He also seems to be an opportunistic politician who gets his moments in the spotlight as they come. He is not a risk-taker and does not seem to have the killer instinct that his grandfather had. And ultimately, he does not strike me as someone who can satisfy Iranians’ “Rostam Syndrome.” Maybe someday he will prove me wrong... but it’s highly unlikely.
Now, some say that Reza has chosen the path of nonviolence. So did Gandhi and Martin Luther King. But what separates them from Reza and people like him is the simple fact that Gandhi and MLK never hesitated to put their lives, families, fortunes and comfort in jeopardy for their people. Courageous leadership like that inspires people.
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man up is right
by Joe L. on Tue Mar 22, 2011 01:13 PM PDTThis is crazy stuff. Some guy sits somewhere, lives quietly, doesn't take any leadership role, doesn't believe in what would be a good option, and waits for the opportunity for "people" to put him in a mansion and feed his family because he is son of shah?
here is what's the problem. you must stand up and declare to all why constitutional monarchy is the best for iran. you have to take charge, leadership role and put forth your resume. you need to have something that people can judge you by. some one here says he is a good guy...well how do we know that? from what he says? talk is cheap and everyone can talk nice stuff. means absolutely nothing. what have you done? what leadership role have you played? what kind of inspiration have you been? have you ran a company? a city? a good business of some sort? have you build something? have you invested all the money to something bigger? a powerful political organization perhaps? anything? nothing?
nothing.
it's like i stand in a corner street, a safe neighborhood and say that i can manage the largest corporations on this planet once people discover me! me, the son of someone who once owned a large company...
if anyone buys this is too simple minded. you can't just like what someone says? i mean come on.
man up or get out. good article.
Deev: so you prefer
by alimostofi on Tue Mar 22, 2011 12:52 PM PDTDeev: so you prefer Communists. So Iranian culture has little meaning to you. Wow. The late Shahanshah spoke of the alliance of red and black. So not sure there. How do you want to safeguard our culture?
Ali Mostofi
//www.alimostofi.com
Moslem mentality
by alimostofi on Tue Mar 22, 2011 12:44 PM PDTAnd anyway the Moslems all believe in martyrdom, so if the King does say "I want to go home" then maybe they will pick on him. But they would know that he would then be making history and they would not want to be part of it.
Ali Mostofi
//www.alimostofi.com
Communist regime better than islamic regime
by deev on Tue Mar 22, 2011 12:40 PM PDTMr. Mostofi, as for using "the King felt necessary to take drastic measures" as an excuse, there are always dime a dozen excuses available to all dictators, I'm sure Hitler felt urgency for all his actions too...
And as for "What would you do? Side with the Russians in the name of democracy?" I can assure you a Communist Iran would had been more prosperous than the current Islamic one, at the very least people would had more personal freedoms as far as what they could wear and eat and drink, Shah not only turned a blind eye towards the islamists but also encouraged them in his attempt to fight the communism, and surely picked the losing side of the gamble!
Dear Mr. Baniameri
by Sohrab_Ferdows on Tue Mar 22, 2011 12:42 PM PDTThere are some valid points that you brought up in your article but other than making a vague suggestion about "manning up" there is no real argument in how to accomplish that so you and some others be happy and satisfied with result. There is no question that current situation in Iran calls for courage to be shown not only by those in the lead but also by those who have become too comfortable to do anything other than talking and criticising others. Rostam syndrome that late Fereydun Hoveyda spoke about is in fact pointing to suppression of new generation by older in Iranian culture (in comparison with western culture in story of the Greek hero Odiepus who killed his father Laius) and has nothing to do with worshiping heroes.
Undoubtedly, heroes have played a role at different times in the history of Iran to get people out of a deadlock or a grave situation but, this is not specific to Iranians and especially in this day and age, leaving everything up to hero, is not very wise thing to do. It is true that anyone who wants to put him/herself in front of a movement should be prepared to take some risks but that does not mean to do anything without a proper plan just to take risk. Any risk should have a potential for rewards because without rewards, taking risk is stupid. No leader can accomplish anything with a crowd who call upon the leaders to show courage and take risk without presenting any real and serious solution and while themselves do not have the courage to come out from behind their masks and aliases.
Like leadership, speaking up your mind also takes some courage and puts one's personality at risk of being judged and even target of harsh insults by some faceless and nameless people. That's why I salute you for doing so although I do not agree with everything you said. As seen here on IC, there are a lot of talks about "gheyrat" and "balls" but same people who preach these things seem to be unaware that the problem starts with themselves.
I also do believe that RP (because of his special status among Iranians) needs to take some actions and that's why, in an open letter, a couple of years earlier, I suggested him to take initiative to form a leadership/directorship group by sending invitation letters to all Iranian opposition (including MEK, JM, monarchists, commies..etc.. even people like Akbar Ganji and Shirin Ebadi side by side with others like Dr. Manouchehr Gangi) to guide opposition activites. I still think this is something that needs to be done by someone and since RP is a figure outside Islamic regime system that is connected to Iranian recent history and more Iranians may know and trust him compared to many others, then he might have a better chance of success in this regard. Moreover, no one from any other groups seem to have any interest in considering a coalition with others or taking action towards that for the sake of nation and appart from their own ideologies and political views.
Only God can do something to help Iran because most Iranians seem to have no clue what to do while yelling and complaining a lot instead of thinking of some practical resolution for this mayhem.
Regards
Sohrab Ferdows
Prince Chubby "symbol" of free loading!
by Esfand Aashena on Tue Mar 22, 2011 12:43 PM PDTSo as this thing is spinned into first Monarchy, then a united platform, then a role, then a leading role and finally a "symbol"!
So basically he wants people to get together under a platform to do the dirty work while he relaxes in palaces tending to soothing spa treatments, while state matters would be his "hobby"!
Everything is sacred
There is no fear. I am who I
by alimostofi on Tue Mar 22, 2011 12:28 PM PDTThere is no fear. I am who I am. The Ayatollahs are fighting each other.
Ali Mostofi
//www.alimostofi.com
"Where is Siamack? How come he is not..."
by Everybody Loves Somebody ... on Tue Mar 22, 2011 12:26 PM PDTAs mischievous kids back in the late 60’s, a bunch of us used to trap little mice and walk to the public Hamoom Zannoeh in far neighborhoods in Karaj and release the poor frightened Moosee there hoping and wishing that we would wreak havoc and in the process we would see something… I take it the Author of this article has a similar objective in mind…!?
Oh BTW, we would never go back to that neighborhood again since they would probably skin us alive or worse
Those who forgot about Iran
by afshinazad on Tue Mar 22, 2011 12:15 PM PDTKeep in mind our goal is Iran and first step is working together and building alliance which could be strong force against evil regime. In any shape or form or the colour you could contribute to the country and the nation.
Choice is not yours who or which system should for Iran. it is all up to the Iranian people on ballet box, either I like to have a monarchy or not, it is not my say, we all should learn how to tolerate each other and listen and share the wisdom, politic is not for everyone and not everyone would understand politic, that is why all politician are bunch of rich people who really don't give a shit what you and I think and they follow the system.
Regarding CROWN PRINCE REZA PAHLAVI:He is one the us and he is Prince and our country had a kingdom over 2500 year and think about it today we have so called republic in most countries and how many of these republic countries providing democracy for their people. Most of us still don't listen and don't want to listen and remember the history, Republic sounds like American system or the French, but how many of other republics are acting like American or the French.CRWON PRINCE REZA PAHLAVI offers hope and restoring our dignity and he is not asking to have the power (one man show), he would be symbol of the country and dignity that we need it more than freedom today, why those who they come in here want to assassin his Image and they bring his grandfathers and his father’s problem upon him, are you responsible for your grandfather or your fathers past, don't you think you are better person than you parents? For those who trying to mislead the public about RP are not only digging for another round of political chaos among the public for benefit of IRI but also trying to bring another dictatorship after IRI.CROWN PRINCE REZA PAHLAVI shouldn't be your problem in fact you should welcome such a person to lead the nation for better future, because of so many blames has been created on his father, he would not try to risk anything to destroy his own image, as a matter of fact he could be most honest person who we could wish for, because for him restoring his family name is worth more than what you and I think and such a person will do better job than any one we know, let's not destroy the person who could be great bridge among the so many political factions and he could be solution rather than problem, if only we Iranian stop hating each other and start supporting each other, I must remind you all our people in Iran are more united that we are in western countries, they are more wiser than we are, today young man and women in Iran are much more educated and informed compare to 32 year ago and they have one goal and that is remove the cancer.Those who think RP is not brave enough? I think they should take a look at his life which he is consent under threat of IRI terrorist group and I think those who think he is not brave enough, please I would suggest put your real name and email address on this site and you will notice that how many threat you will receive every day.Good luck to all you who trying to mislead the public that REZA PAHLAVI is not a good choice to lead Iranian.I think you are too late and truth is out.
Where is Siamack?
by Anahid Hojjati on Tue Mar 22, 2011 12:08 PM PDTHow come he is not responding to the comments? I don't like it when some writers on IC think that they are so important that they don't have to respond to the comments.
Aghaye Siamack Baniameri khan:
by Bavafa on Tue Mar 22, 2011 12:05 PM PDTآخه نوکرتم، شما چرا متوجه نیستید، علیاحضرت شاهنشاه که man up نمیکنه. شاهنشاه باید بشین و امر و نهی کنه. بگه برین آماده کنین که من بیام شاهی کنم. اربابی گفتند، رعیتی گفتن!
Mehrdad
Hirre: what where you doing
by alimostofi on Tue Mar 22, 2011 11:58 AM PDTHirre: what where you doing on Sunday at 23:21 GMT? Do you know what Haftseen stands for? That is all Astrology. Please correct me.
Ali Mostofi
//www.alimostofi.com
Deev: When I say King I mean
by alimostofi on Tue Mar 22, 2011 11:51 AM PDTDeev: When I say King I mean the personification of our culture. The Tudeh party did such a fine job of insulting our culture, and scaring Iran's national security that the King felt necessary to take drastic measures. What would you do? Side with the Russians in the name of democracy? Please correct me.
Ali Mostofi
//www.alimostofi.com
Sigh...
by hirre on Tue Mar 22, 2011 11:41 AM PDTAli M. stop indirectly accusing me of supporting IRI, if there is something mysterious it is you and your work with connecting zodiac signs with the stock market, that has to be the biggest joke :)
LOL @ Prince Chubby
by deev on Tue Mar 22, 2011 11:37 AM PDTThat's an endearing term, good title for a children's book!
Mr. Mostofi consider referring to Reza as "My King" instead of "Our King" since you aren't "our" spokesperson and it's that lack of regards for other people's opinions that put an abrupt end to your king's dynasty, reality check!
Hirre: here read this.
by alimostofi on Tue Mar 22, 2011 08:39 AM PDTHirre: here read this. Maybe you think this is the mysterious force.
//www.groundreport.com/Politics/God-Decides-E...
Ali Mostofi
//www.alimostofi.com
Hirre: Your mysterious
by alimostofi on Tue Mar 22, 2011 08:10 AM PDTHirre: Your mysterious system has put Islam in Iran and the people cannot remove it.
Ali Mostofi
//www.alimostofi.com
The world works in mysterious ways
by hirre on Tue Mar 22, 2011 08:01 AM PDTSome things can never be taken away, a lake can be dried up, a monument can be destroyed, a mountain can be renamed, but some things will never go away... If a culture is strong enough it will last, if it isn't strong enough it will be forgotten, no matter how many museums or other institutions you create (there are example of this in the world). At the end, it is the majority of people that decide which culture to maintain and no ruler can take it away...
Hirre: what would your
by alimostofi on Tue Mar 22, 2011 07:50 AM PDTHirre: what would your system do if the Ayatollahs decided to call Mt Demavand Mt Khomeini? Or to change the name of Persian Gulf to Gulf of Ayatollahs? You see your laissez faire attitude has already resulted in our country's name, flag and anthem to be changed. They tried banning Noruz.
Ali Mostofi
//www.alimostofi.com
hirre Jaan Congrats You are making Progress ;0))
by Darius Kadivar on Tue Mar 22, 2011 07:42 AM PDThirre says "he is not claiming leadership" ... ;0)
"Also, he is not claiming leadership, his goal is to built a democratic platform, you all should read and see his interviews (both you royalists and non-royalists)!"
Isn't that what one usually calls "Reign but Not Rule" ?
ROYAL FORUM: Explaining the Concept of a Constitutional Monarchy to a Staunch Republican
pictory: Prince Charles and Prince Reza (1974)
;0)
Recommended Blogs:
HISTORY FORUM: How Truly Democratic is The British Monarchy ?
David Starkey's "Last Word" With Maryam Namazie about Iran and the Monarchy (More4 TV April 19th, 2006)
ROYAL RHINOPLASTY: Stephen Fry On The Imperfections of the Monarchy and Why It Should Be Preserved
:)
by hirre on Tue Mar 22, 2011 07:40 AM PDTWe do not need any institution, although we should create one in a democratical system (just for representation)...
The iranian people at the moment is enough, each one of us is representing and defending iranian culture, as we have done during the centuries... Rulers have tried to get rid of our culture, but the people never lost the cultural battle.
Hirre: who defends the
by alimostofi on Tue Mar 22, 2011 07:29 AM PDTHirre: who defends the culture of Iran in Iran at the moment? We know that all the people slammed the ban on Noruz. But there is no official cultural institute under the Ayatollahs. There are plenty of institutes guarding Islam.
Ali Mostofi
t
//www.alimostofi.com
Sigh...
by hirre on Tue Mar 22, 2011 07:20 AM PDTThe king by himself is not iranian culture! Pahlavis have tried to connect themselves with the achemedian persian culture, that is only a part of Iran's total current culture!!!!
Talk is cheap. MKO has been talking "platform"S for ever.
by Esfand Aashena on Tue Mar 22, 2011 07:16 AM PDTEverything is sacred
Hehe
by hirre on Tue Mar 22, 2011 07:14 AM PDTAli M., there is no "Royal Institution" in or outside Iran... There is only a man and his followers, he has no obligation to listen to anybody. Also, he is not claiming leadership, his goal is to built a democratic platform, you all should read and see his interviews (both you royalists and non-royalists)!
The King needs to make the
by alimostofi on Tue Mar 22, 2011 07:02 AM PDTThe King needs to make the news. He is the news. The only act that any King does is to state his mandate. His mandate is not to be fearful. His plan has to be in the name of the poor humble Iranian who wants his dignity back. He is the personification of the culture of Iran.
Ali Mostofi
//www.alimostofi.com
The last Qajar King landed
by alimostofi on Tue Mar 22, 2011 06:53 AM PDTThe last Qajar King landed in Bandar Abbas and realized that he was not cut out for the job and resigned. He knew what it meant to run the Royal Institution. My grandad taught his dad as they lived in our old home in what is now Saadabad Palace. Iran has survived for so long because there is a system. It is simple, be honest to your duties.
Ali Mostofi
//www.alimostofi.com
The King must act
by alimostofi on Tue Mar 22, 2011 06:36 AM PDTOnly one person has the birth right to act for the culture of Iran. The Royal Institution is the only institution that has saved Iranian culture. The people who are part of that institute have duties that are not normally needed. But in emergencies there are clear guidelines. Save the name of Iran. Save the flag. Save the national anthem. So he needs to take that risk he is brought up to do. He was sent to the best schools and has seen all the ethnic groups. He needs to go to Iran with our flag. If he dies, so be it. Others will follow.
Ali Mostofi
//www.alimostofi.com
Esfand jan
by Soosan Khanoom on Tue Mar 22, 2011 06:29 AM PDTHow do even you dare calling " Our King " the " Prince Chubby " ? ; )
VPK ....... VIVA LFTIST PEACE GROUP ........ and I told you I celebrate NowRooz ..... I jump over fire ....... I take the bullet for you ...easy come ...easy go ..lala lala la
He is the King and he has
by alimostofi on Tue Mar 22, 2011 06:22 AM PDTHe is the King and he has duties to perform for the Royal Institution. It's like the CEO of any company. The charter states when the King has to act. It also states when politics gets involved. When the country has been invaded there is no time for politics. But His Imperial Majesty thinks he needs to be a politician.
Ali Mostofi
//www.alimostofi.com