News

With his background

He should not have travelled to Iran at this time of worsening tensions between Iran and USA. Just because you got your Iranian passport, it does not mean that you should travel to Iran. Read FG's comment, he explains why.

Thanks Pendar for posting. 

TO NAIVE EMIGRES: DON'T GO & SEND NO MONEY?

RE: “He (Mirzaei Hezmati) may have been this innocent naïve guy who wanted to visit Iran and
got assurances that he would be fine" ... people
knowledgeable about its (CIA) recruiting practices say it is highly unlikely
that the agency would have engaged someone with such a visible military (open and easy to trace) résumé. (NY Times)

THE REGIME SEEKS HOSTAGES & RANSOM MONEY 

Iranian emigres make perfect hostages.  No evidence is needed  You can be totally innocent but it doesnt matter.  Maybe you'll be lucky enough to be released after a year, or two or three  In that case, your famiies and friends back in the West will be shaken down, pirate-style, for hundreds of thousands in cash.   Can they afford it? Wil you feel guilty afterwards for having tempted fate?

Of course, if the regime can't get emigre hostages, any westerners will also do, as in the case of the three American hikers.  Recall the retired FBI tourist kidnapped.  That guy also has lousy credentials for a spy but ideal ones for the regime's tradition of hostage taking going all the way back to the American embassy siege whose great accomplishment was to put the  mullahs in total power.  No wonder they celebrate it every year.

A "NO RETURN" BRAIN DRAIN & MISSED TOURIST DOLLARS IS COSTLY TO THE ISLAMIC REPUBLIC

In the near future the unpopular Islamic Republic will disappear from history, Iran.  The country should be able to enjoy both sources of income above and many more from a more diverse, less corrupt economy. 

Nevertheless any subsequent regime will face the problem of a deeply entrenched and well-fattened security force generals, a rotten Egypt-style "gift" Khamenei created to sustain himself in power aftet having totally lost popular legitimacy (the support of the people).  Iranians will have many reasons to take a dump on Sayyid's grave.

For years now, Iran has been #1 in the world in brain drain.   Millions more wish they could leave.  Hardly anyone returns 

By contrast, the Asian giants are thriving partly from the help of high-skilled emigres and partly by sending people to the best western universities for education.  Returning to these countries, even communist China, is no where near as dangerous as returning to Iran, whose atmosphere is so depressing anyway.

Suggestion: If you've got to visit relatives and they can't come here, is it possible to meet in a neighboring country?

Tourists are critical to Egypt's economy while Iran's policies frighten off tourists who are viewed as a potential threat anyway, since their talk of freedoms and living standards elsewhere might demoralize.  Aside from all else, what western women wants to wear a hajib?  And who needs a hotel where you can't enjoy wine or cocktails after dinner. 

SENDING MONEY HOME: A TROUBLESOME DECISION

Iranian emigres in the West face a dilemna. 

On the one hand, emigres want to help their kin in what should NOT be a poor country if run with half a brain or a modicum of honesty.   When there is no transparency and when a government is not fully open to public veto in free and fair elections, that kind of situation is commonplace.

On the other hand, most emigres despise the regime and want it gone.  They know growing economic problems can help bring it about.   Any hard currency sent to Iran helps keep the regime in power.  In essence, your relatives in Iran are hostages too.  What a shameless, incompetent and brutal "role model" the Islamic Republic offers!

I don't envy emigres this decision.