How to debate Ahmadinejad
Foriegn Policy / Babak Rahimi
12-Aug-2010 (7 comments)


Last week, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad publicly challenged U.S. President Barack Obama to a face-to-face televised debate on solving the world's problems. For understandable reasons, the White House quickly dismissed the invitation, just as President George W. Bush did with a similar offer in 2006. But Ahmadinejad's gambit is a tantalizing opportunity to imagine how Obama's rhetorical abilities might stand up in a direct competition with his Iranian counterpart.

Despite the popular perception in the United States that the Iranian president is an irrational and unstable character, the reality is that Ahmadinejad is a shrewd politician with a skillful command of debating tactics. His preferred method of debate is to masterfully spin out rhetorical questions, combative statements, ad hominem arguments, and sarcastic remarks in order to muddle the discussion to an extent that the original topic of conversation becomes indistinct to both his rivals and audience.

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Bavafa

I opened Q's link

by Bavafa on Thu Aug 12, 2010 01:32 PM PDT

However, some parts of their web page is not working. They are asking for donation but options are limited. I want to offer them my middle finger. Mehrdad


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Q

Anonymouse,

by Q on Thu Aug 12, 2010 01:10 PM PDT

The reason for this is that many Western "journalists" are posturing to satisfy their bosses and their network's funders. Scott Pelly of 60Minues and Chalie Rose of PBS are great examples. They are good journalists when interviewing 100s of other people, but with Ahmadi, they felt like they had to be "American" first. Ahmadi picks up on this and exposes it.

For example rarely did they acknowledge that US has done any wrong which would have disarmed and confused Ahmadi.

That's why they lost, and looked like cheap posers to the delight of the right-wing who wasn't interested in any "debate". Ahmadi made them look like agents of Imperialism that fits perfectly into his narrative.

It is easy to corner Ahmadi, but it takes courage and these journalists just don't want to deal with the fanatic mob that can attack them after.


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Onlyiran

He should definitely be debated in the international arena

by Onlyiran on Thu Aug 12, 2010 03:14 PM PDT

and not shut out.  Shutting him up will make a martyr out of him.  Just like what that idiot Columbia chair did several years ago, where he made AN a victim.  He should have instead allowed him to speak and then ripped him apart (without ridiculing him or being disrespectful) on questioning.  That would have made AN look like a total jerk that he is.

The reason why he makes people fumble is because he has an ability to change the subject and "safsateh".  Those two things are the key.  If he can be stopped from doing those two things by a strong and experienced debater, he will fall apart quickly.  


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Anonymouse

Many have fumbled the interview or debate so it's not that easy.

by Anonymouse on Thu Aug 12, 2010 12:58 PM PDT

Everything is sacred


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Q

OR...

by Q on Thu Aug 12, 2010 12:53 PM PDT

instead of beating him at a debate, which is fairly easy, and would expose him if done correctly, you could just make sure he doesn't have a Hotel room.

This is what our pro Israel and Nocon "friends" are doing.

//www.unitedagainstnucleariran.com/


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Anonymouse

Interesting article and good tips. Ahmadi can also be slapped!

by Anonymouse on Thu Aug 12, 2010 12:37 PM PDT

Everything is sacred


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Shifteh Ansari

Thanks!

by Shifteh Ansari on Thu Aug 12, 2010 12:33 PM PDT

Here's a Deutsche Welle translation of the article in Persian:

 

//www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,5906496,00.ht...


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