Iranian Prof: U.S. Support For MEK Would Anger Ordinary Iranians
TPM / Eric Lach
08-Feb-2011 (5 comments)

Support for the Iranian exile group Mujahedin-e Khalq, or MEK, among some former U.S. government officials is a product of their "own illusions," an Iranian studies expert tells TPM.

"I think part of it is wishful thinking, and [the MEK's] very active PR campaign to represent themselves," Ahmad Sadri, a professor of Islamic World Studies and Sociology at Lake Forest College in Illinois, said in a phone interview. "They are saying to the world 'we are whatever you want us to be.'"

As TPM has reported, the MEK has a history of support in Washington, and a number of prominent U.S. national security experts and former government officials have recently taken up the MEK cause, which includes getting the MEK removed from the State Department's list of terrorist organizations. The MEK was put on the terror list in 1997, in a move that has been described as a nod to Iran's then reformist president.

At a panel in Washington D.C. two weeks ago, former New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson and ex-Sen. Robert Torricelli (D-NJ) joined former Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge and former Attorney General Michael Mukasey in painting the MEK not only as unfairly shackled by the terrorist label, but also as a critical part of the Iranian opposition movement.

"The Mujahedin have absolutely no backing in Iran," Sadri told TPM. He said he'd fir... >>>

MM

MKO is peddling American Influence, again

by MM on Tue Feb 08, 2011 10:33 AM PST

When asked what relationship he saw between the MEK and the Green Movement in Iran Sadri responded: "Zero. Nothing. No support I can detect."

Sadri described the MEK's supporters, meanwhile, as "very, very active." "They wheel and deal and they're willing to sell themselves to the highest bidder," he said.  "They are saying to the world 'we are whatever you want us to be.'"

"The Mujahedin have absolutely no backing in Iran," Sadri told TPM.



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G. Rahmanian

Then Expose Them

by G. Rahmanian on Tue Feb 08, 2011 09:45 PM PST

to the Neocons and Iranians alike with real hard evidence and not a half-baked article by a foreigner with quotes from Ahmad Sadri, of all the people in the world. I'd be glad to read everything there is. Not very interested in the Rajavis' sex life, either. That's a personal matter.


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MM

worry because they are peddling influence on the Capitol

by MM on Tue Feb 08, 2011 09:25 PM PST

Because of the support of the neocons and now prominent democrats, combined with the sound of war-drums on the Capitol, MKO may be the next Iranian Chalabi and the Iranian-American community need to be united in voicing our opinion about who this faction really is " a wolf in sheep's clothing".


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G. Rahmanian

Why Worry?

by G. Rahmanian on Tue Feb 08, 2011 09:14 PM PST

"The Mujahedin have absolutely no backing in Iran," Sadri told TPM. Then why worry about such a group? Why the obsession?


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THIS IS NOT A NEWS,,

by sam jade on Tue Feb 08, 2011 11:47 AM PST

THESE ARE just some personal opinions , and sort of Radio interview ,,why someone put this on news section, Nothing has happened,,


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