http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/worldtonight/2009/06/iran_when_will_the_shark_make.html en-gb 30 Fri 01 Jan 2010 21:24:51 GMT+1 A feed of user comments from the page found at http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/worldtonight/2009/06/iran_when_will_the_shark_make.html http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/worldtonight/2009/06/iran_when_will_the_shark_make.html?page=18#comment12 This is a (three weeks later) followup to the Iranian election protests which seems to have dropped out of the news cycle in the Western press. After the Guardian Council declared that a partial recount of the votes did not show widespread fraud and further protests were banned, we have noticed a considerable attenuation of protestors on the streets of Tehran. But given the size of the crowds during the height of the protests, it is unlikely that the protests will cease entirely, and indeed random protests are still taking place throughout Tehran which can be verified by monitoring amateur videos on YouTube. Opposition leader Moussavi has continued to issue defiant challenges to the Ahmadi-Nejad regime to meet and discuss his grievances. Notable though is the latest reports that about 20 people were killed since the protests began including 8 Revolutionary Guard policemen. This is in contrast to the much more violent car and truck bombings in neighboring Iraq over the past month which have claimed well over 100 innocent lives. After President Obama made his initial statement regarding the lack of Western leverage over the Iranian unrest, he was pressured by prominent Republicans to speak out more forcefully which he promptly complied with. But his initial judgment proved to be the more realistic option available to Western leaders given the historical legacy of Iranian victimization from Western intrigue and hostility (the 1953 Coup against the democratically elected Mohammad Mossadegh government) and the support given to Iraq (Saddam Hussein) during the Iran-Iraq War. How the current unrest in Iran will work out is of course fraught with uncertainty but for now we can assume that US-Iranian relations will continue to be plagued with hostility and must be approached with caution. Fri 10 Jul 2009 22:40:11 GMT+1 http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/worldtonight/2009/06/iran_when_will_the_shark_make.html?page=16#comment11 "It is preferable to deal people who are corrupt than with fanatics." A very insightful point for the (imperialistic or oligarchic) power that benefits from the corruption. However from the subject people's point of view it can grow from an at first a minor to a major irritant as the corruption corrodes their standard of living. If the ruling power recognizes this is becoming a major problem or threat to his (their) ability to rule the people, he will resort either to intimidation or amelioration of the people's suffering before it goes too far and is irredemiable. So corruption alone not accompanied by intimidation or compensating remedies is in the long run impossible and will lead to a revolution or coup'detat. Although the internal problems of Iran is being discussed here, there is a parallel situation taking place in neighboring Iraq. Apparently, there is a widespread and growing corruption occurring in that country plagued by the weak leadership of Nuri al Maliki according to recent news reports . With the warring between the main ethnic groups out of control since the US-UK occupation it will be extremely difficult to keep Iraq from breaking into pieces when the multinational forces are gone. It is for this reason that President Obama has almost no choice but to seek the cooperation of Iran by at least not interfering in their internal politics. Mon 29 Jun 2009 04:41:45 GMT+1 http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/worldtonight/2009/06/iran_when_will_the_shark_make.html?page=15#comment10 #8" This is a political battle between Khamenei and Rafsanjani."This is the crux of the struggle going on in Iran now. It is a struggle for power betweemn the richest man in Iran who is thoroughly corrupt and a group of religious fanatics who are thoroughly insane. The population, the military, the paramilitary thugs, even Ahmadinejad and Mosavi are merely pawns in this game. We on the outside are just spectators with no influence. It doesn't matter what we do or say short of invasion which won't happen. It is preferable to deal with people who are corrupt than with fanatics. You can usually get what you want from these people because by definition they are unprincipled and can be bought off. But it is very important to know the difference. Neville Chamberlain did not, that was his fatal mistake. Fanatics cannot be bought off even if they appear to have been. Ultimately they will lie if they have to but will never yield in pursuit of their ultimate goal of achieving power. Corrupt people on the other hand merely up the ante they demand as blackmail each time they return. All of this would hardly be more than a passing amusement for most of us were it not for the ticking time bomb in the background, Iran's perceived program to acquire the ability to manufacture nuclear weapons. Once the perception is that this point has been reached, true or otherwise, outside forces meaning Israel and the US will be forced to decide what to do about it which means ultimately the decision for military action. In the case of the US, it is not clear what it will do, in the case of Israel it is crystal clear what it must do. At this point, Israel seems to have the resolve and seems resigned that course of action if the US demonstrates it doesn't have the resolve and doesn't act first.The media keeps asking the same dumb question; where and how will this end. The correct answer is of course that nobody knows, nobody can know. That's why the question is dumb. Tue 23 Jun 2009 20:43:54 GMT+1 http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/worldtonight/2009/06/iran_when_will_the_shark_make.html?page=13#comment9 After reading my comments on this subject,many friends from leading social websites,are interested to see genuiness of BBC correspondents,news readers,editors,and other team members honesty,values of freedom,depth in subjects,clarity of presentation of events,and looking forward to know more about BBC service channels.All our views are independent, free flowing of thoughts.I have been writing on many issues to all leading websites.Here, i find more values,and full of journalistic spells splahes on everybody!s faces.This writer!s views for deep discussion. Mon 22 Jun 2009 17:51:26 GMT+1 http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/worldtonight/2009/06/iran_when_will_the_shark_make.html?page=12#comment8 post five,You seem to be a shining example of what is called double standards. So it is tough luck for me if I do not like comments that do not agree with my 'narrative'? Funnily enough, you did not follow your own advise in the thread 'Mideast baby steps' where you called for a post to be removed, as it obviously did not agree with your narrative.I suppose there is no chance either that you would follow your second advise and 'grow up'. Mon 22 Jun 2009 07:57:29 GMT+1 http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/worldtonight/2009/06/iran_when_will_the_shark_make.html?page=10#comment7 Dear,Mr.Robin Lustig,First , i want to say something about waht is happening in Iran.Election results were announce.already so many days were passed.But,because of mass media coverages by BBc,and other western medias,every one had started chewing of Iranians in larger extents.This is a political battle between Khamenei and Rafsanjani.Mr.Mousavi is not a radical and he is a conservative like many Iranian leaders.Because of internet penetration by twitter and other social websites,young Iranians,overseas Iranians had created a very big social and political news to all.One thing,we should understand that,many Islamic nations like Mr.Ahmadinajad!s actions on Irans progress.All your sayings are good to listen and for students who studies on International affairs.Thanks to BBC for creating democratic thinking to more and more Iranians,and to general public.We have not forgotten of 1979 revolutions in Iran.Sometimes,History repeates.Today!s events will become Tomoorows! History.You are doing of your job as a journalist.We are listening as a public.Hereafter,time has come to concentrate on other burning global issues from BBC.With best wishes.Expecting a reply from this writer.Happy going,happy viewing with BBC. Mon 22 Jun 2009 05:08:06 GMT+1 http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/worldtonight/2009/06/iran_when_will_the_shark_make.html?page=9#comment6 More thoughts on the Iranian election protests. I have been viewing some of the many amateur videos on YouTube and I have noted that most show peaceful protests with little violence on either the protestor or Revolutionary Guard (Bajij) side. Democratic congressmen and congresswomen have urged President Obama to continue to stay out of the Iranian internal affairs while Republicans have mostly urged Obama to speak out more forcefully on the side of the protestors. Sun 21 Jun 2009 20:22:42 GMT+1 http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/worldtonight/2009/06/iran_when_will_the_shark_make.html?page=7#comment5 I hate to rain on the parade of Western opportunism to intervene in Iran's growing troubles but Isenhorn is right that it is a vast exaggeration to characterize the protests as a blood bath. In the third day of protests the number of deaths has been limited to less than 10. There was on Friday a report of a large car bomb in Mosul in Iraq that a car bomb had killed over 20 innocent Iraqis. Watching CNN over the weekend as large peaceful protests continued in Tehran, I was surprised to hear some balanced reporting from the usually biased reports characteristic of news agency reports from the Middle East. One Iranian expert from a Washington think tank even praised the democratic maturity of the emerging Iranian response to the regime's challenges. Those of us in the US who have been increasingly dismayed at the bungled and mangled military occupation of Iraq with its storm trooper like assault on the Iraqi people are hopeful that the more moderate and rational leadership of Barack Obama will avoid worsening the American image in that region by staying out of the internal affairs of Iran just as Iran managed to heed George W Bush's warnings that it stay out of Iraqi internal affairs. Sun 21 Jun 2009 04:49:35 GMT+1 http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/worldtonight/2009/06/iran_when_will_the_shark_make.html?page=6#comment4 Post three,Grow up you silly little person, if you do not like comments that do not agree with your narrative tough luck. Sat 20 Jun 2009 16:03:03 GMT+1 http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/worldtonight/2009/06/iran_when_will_the_shark_make.html?page=4#comment3 Robin,I find listening to your reports pleasant, insightful and balanced. Your manner is so relaxed and content, which put the audience at ease. It is a pleasure to discover your bloggs are the same. I enjoy the way you present, for example, the tension in Iran in such a gentle and gentleman-like manner. Perhap Khamenei might revise his opinion about how evil we are in Britain, after an interview with you.Thank you for the work and the pleasureM Sat 20 Jun 2009 14:51:29 GMT+1 http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/worldtonight/2009/06/iran_when_will_the_shark_make.html?page=3#comment2 flawedlogic,What do you mean by the 'lives of millions of Iranians'? Are you saying that there have been millions killed ifn Iran or are you just using a well-worn phrase where it does not belong? Must be the second as there have not been millions of deaths in Iran recently.And by the way, why should we be interested in the lives of Iranians? Would you like it if the Iranians suddenly started taking close interest in your own life? Fri 19 Jun 2009 14:11:09 GMT+1 http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/worldtonight/2009/06/iran_when_will_the_shark_make.html?page=1#comment1 Post 1, you are correct the BBC have decided that the lives of millions of Iranians is less important then the UK's corrupt MPs expenses claims. Fri 19 Jun 2009 13:02:30 GMT+1 http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/worldtonight/2009/06/iran_when_will_the_shark_make.html?page=0#comment0 Is it my imagination or have the BBC toned down on their coverage of the Iran election? Fri 19 Jun 2009 12:10:59 GMT+1