In recent years the United States and Iran have not been on speaking terms. (a bit like USDemocrazy writers and editors) Now, it appears, the two countries may be on sparring terms.
On Tuesday President Obama voiced his displeasure with Iran’s government handling of recent street protests (for back ground on the protests, check out these earlier US Democrazy posts from this Monday and last Wednesday and last Monday)
Videos and pictures from the protests have escaped onto the internet and they aren’t pretty. Iranian Police and pro-government militias are shown attacking and brutalizing protesters.
One now famous internet video features a young iranian women dying from wounds incurred in the melee.
The proclaimed winner of the Iranian Presidential elections Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, has been venting on the protesters and President Obama. Mr. Ahmadinejad was so miffed that he went as far as to compare President Obama to President Bush.(Ouch)
Coming to Obama’s defence were Sen. John McCain and Sen. Lindsey Graham. Both are Republicans who earlier had pushed for stronger language towards Iran from Obama. The President delivered their wishes on Tuesday (to their applause)
Some in Congress are trying to take even stronger action against Iran by government cutting loans for companies doing business in Iran.
This hard talk from the USA does have dangerous consequences.
Adam Blickstein, of the Huffington Post, fears this legislation
undermines President Obama’s methodical approach to the situation in Iran and goes far in actually confirming the propaganda coming from Ahmadinejad and the oppressive regime that the U.S. was actively interfering in Iranian affairs and undermining the Iranian people.
Over at Politico Flynt Leverett, Hillary Mann Leverett and Seyed Mohammad Marandi warn why the US should not invade Iran (don’t freak out, this idea has not been mentioned by President Obama) and Jermey Lott mentions why an invasion might just happen.
Enough about the United States… what does the rest of the world think?
At least of the G8 nations (Canada, USA, Russia, Japan, Germany, England, France and Italy) have reached a “consensus” [note sarcasm]. The nations are united in their outrage at Iran’s actions except for Russia who aloofly declared the elections “an exercise in democracy” (Russian style democracy, no doubt).
Is there any hope for Iran?
One rumor flying around is that a group of important Ayatollahs may try to force a runoff between Ahmadinejad and the election runner up Mir Hussein Moussavi.
So what should the US do or is the situation going to just resolve itself? Post your opinions up; (otherwise we might be tempted do it for you).
The US and world should accept the election results, just as the US asked the world and Iran to accept the Bush / Gore presidential results. Elections are internal state/country matters and should be settled by the citizens of the state/country.
The world and US can critize the violence inflicted upon the protesters. This though should always be put forth as a reaction to human rights violations (as human rights are viewed by the US) and not as anything to do with the election.
Invasion for human rights violations is ludicrious. If we invade Iran for this, then who will we send against China, many countries in africa, south east asia and slum lords and underground sweat shops in the US.
hey