Tuesday, February 15, 2011

The Counter-Revolution in Iran - and the death of revolution in Bahrain, Yemen and Algeria

The loss of the Mubarak regime in Egypt was a bitter pill to swallow for the United States, but that will never mean that it won't be useful at some stage. Secretary of State Clinton has praised the young protestors and used forceful language against the Iranian government. Clinton said she "supported the universal human rights of the Iranian people". As if on cue, Western media begin extensive coverage of the Iranian protests in a way that they did not do for Egypt. That was partly because the Egyptian protests caught everybody by surprise, but also because Mubarak is a favourite of the West, admired for bringing 'stability' to the region. On the other hand, most people in the Arab world viewed Mubarak as complicit in a criminal seige against the Palestinians in Gaza and of relegating Egypt to the rank of a US vassal, particularly offensive considering the position of Egypt as a one-time leading Arab nation.

Interestingly, I have not heard any reactions from Mrs. Clinton concerning the protests in Algeria, Bahrain or Yemen. There has been no condemnation of the harsh repression the protestors there have been suffering. Indeed, one would be forgiven to think nothing is even happening in those countries. But in Iran, the modern-day Kermit Roosevelts are weaving their magic and creating history before our very eyes. Apparently a noble and humanitarian football referee has even refused to lead the Iranian football team because of the protests in Tehran. Yet during the Egyptian revolution the biggest concern that Western media had was regarding the welfare of tourists on the Red Sea coast. It is good to have your priorities straight.

A revolution is, by definition, a great and far-reaching change or a complete overhaul of an existing political system. The 1979 Islamic revolution deserved that name. Back then, Iran moved up from a nation that was the gas pump of the West under a despotic and archaic Shah, to an independent Islamic country which has, for all its flaws, pushed Iran the status of a world super power. The 2009 protests about allegedly rigged elections (widely supported by the United States) are not a revolution. Their primary purpose is to return Iran to a Western orbit, to reduce the influence of Iran on international affairs or the management of its internal ones and to relegate the country to the status of a US vassal or protectorate. It is with a heavy heart that I fully support the Iranian government in the way they deal with the protestors. Some things are far too valuable to allow well-intentioned fools to dabble with.

2 comments:

Unknown said...

Learning of chants and signs saying "No to Gaza! No to Lebanon!" in the Iranian protests makes me more fiercely opposed to this so-called Green movement, and more suspicious of its intentions.

Maysaloon said...

Absolutely, I heard about it yesterday and I have to say I am not surprised.