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From Carnegie Endownment Study: ARABS RISE, IRAN TREMBLES

Excerpt: Until now, Iran’s interests have been served by the Arab status quo: frustrated populations ruled over by emasculated regimes incapable of checking Israel, and easily dismissed as American co-dependents. A conversation I once had with a senior Iranian diplomat is instructive.

Source: //www.carnegieendowment.org/

From The Guardian (Britain): Iran's supreme leader accused of abducting key opponents

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei 'directly involved' in disappearance of Green movement's Mehdi Karroubi and Mir Hossein Mousavi

//www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/mar/06/iran-supreme-leader-accused-abducting

COMMENT: Having taken bad advice--as he as done prior to and since the elections, Khamenei once again finds himself holding a tiger by the tail. Whether he hangs on or let go, the outcome is undesirable. The arrests and subsequent lies about their whereabouts have delegitimized the regime and Khamenei especially, driven more people into opposition, provided new martyrs, and “liberated” the Greens to develop new leadership and new tactics. To undo that, Khamenei can hardly reverse himself now without undermining his faded credibility further. The first thing the public would ask the two ex-prisoners is, “Where were you?” Ouch!

From Iran Tracker: QUDS FORCE OPERATION IN AFRICA

My summary: Khamenei’s regime is just as talented at making enemies abroad as at home. You probably read about Nigeria’s recent seizure of an IRCG arms shipment and a similar incident in Lebanon. Most readers know that Khamenei’s regime supported Al Sadr’s Al-Mahdi militia in Iraq just as it supports Hezbollah in Lebanon. But does it do so for the interest of the locals or not. This article comes up with some interesting answers.

//www.irantracker.org/

SPECIFIC DETAILS REGARDING KHAMENEI’S PERSONAL CORRUPTION

Having consenting to a rigged election and then openly approving so many horrors since, Khamenei doesn’t need the opposition to discredit himself as someone worthy of emulation or obedience. The man his moral scum. His personal corruption runs as deep as his political corruption. The details aren’t new and have been available online for some time. For those who missed it or would like to pass it along, here’s a link to a three-part expose. Check out the “featured articles” at:

//homylafayette.blogspot.com/

You can also search out video accounts on You Tube. 

The next four items are from Scott Lucas‘ site:

//www.enduringamerica.com/

“FIRST-HAND FROM IRAN: THE GOVERNMENT IS FINISHED” (Excerpt from Article)

Excerpt: I hear the same thing being repeated: the regime are terrified, divided and thus making very bad decisions. (Bad for them, and their survival!) People are agreed that the arrests of [Mehdi] Karroubi, [Mir Hossein] Mousavi and their wives will only create more enemies for the regime. People who have consistently supported them are now beginning to turn against the regime, saying ‘enough’. Even my contacts [within the regime] are aware that, with every passing day, more and more hardliners are turning against them. One friend told me, “There are too many bosses, but no one is really in control”.

RAFSANJANI GETS ONE THING RIGHT

Excerpt: On the eve of his battle against pro-Ahmadinejad forces to retain his leadership of the Assembly of Experts, former President Hashemi Rafsanjani has put out a pointed challenge, "In today's world, it is no longer possible to govern through intimidation", given the "awakening consciousness" of people who now have access to the Internet and technology.

MY COMMENT: Khamenei lives in Fantasyland--too stubborn, too deluded, too reactionary and too isolated by reactionary advisors to see what all Iranians can see.

He really believes he is still popular with most Iranians after all he has done.

IRAN SPECIAL: PROFILES OF 97 WOMEN ARRESTED BY KHAMENEI

My summary. Summary: Ah, political prisoners! It’s nice to put a face on Khamenei’s victims and this article does. See their faces, learn their backgrounds and see what Khamenei has done to each.

THE UPCOMING BATTLE IN ASSEMBLY OF EXPERTS AND MY 3 PREDICTIONS (source same as above)

Summary: The Assembly of Experts is gathering, either today or tomorrow, to begin the formal process which will either lead to Hashemi Rafsanjani's re-election as head of the body or to his eclipse in the Iranian political system.

Comment: Should Rafsanjani be ousted by the combined forces of Ahmadinejad and Khamenei, I offer three predictions in my subpost.