Robert Baer on US-Iran Relations - Part 1/3

[insan766]

Human accept all except the truth

[emotionalinvalid]

concede I have just started watching the videos. But where the understandable hatred of USA by Iran starts is 1953. The US/UK overthrew a SECULAR Iranian democracy for oil. The democratically elected leader of that nascent democracy, which might have grown to be model for the muslim middle east, was the incorruptable, loveable eccentric, genius lawyer, wealthy and paid for all his gov expenses,Mohammad Mossadegh. search it for yourself: OPERATION AJAX, National Security Archives, Blum, etc

[australiap]

love robert bear , most honest man ever

[SamiZaatari]

don't get mad at the interviewer, this is the point of the show, it's called hard talk, the interviewer is meant to be a douche bag, it's the style.

[Persiancreed1]

As an Iranian I must say that Robert Baer is a delusional fellow. We have seen the revolutionary Iranians who came to the streets of Tehran and chanted death to Islamic republic. Appeasement of evil is worst than being an evil. Islamic regime of Iran will be gone whether you like it or not.

[SherryVapors]

This idiot reporter is way over his head with Robert Baer.  Baer is a man who MUST be listened to in regards to Iran.

[LondonPride25]

6:46 "Nobody in America is using the language you're using" - that's because very, very few people in America, or anywhere else in the west for that matter, have the first-hand experience and knowledge of the Middle East and Iran that Robert Baer has. Policy makers should be listening to this guy. He knows his stuff.

[xsabbathgamer]

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[majesticmaniac]

They are just on two different intellectual level

[Luishazong]

Man war against iran would be a fucking Catastrophe, but it is NECESSARY Catastrophe and one that the US WILL win.

Iran fought against Iraq for over EIGHT 8 YEARS. Iran fought for 8 years and could not win. The US defeated and conquered Iraq in 3 WEEKS.

The US would FUCK UP Iran in no time. This time we wouldnt even invade, We would just DETROY the fuckers.

[X1termanator]

@Luishazong woahhhh fuck off? destory iran? stfu man first off iran won that war against iraq which saddam tried to invade and take over lands with support i might add from other countries using chemical warefare iran defended by itself. you are underestimating alot of factors that apply. diplomacy with the government is the only way and to force out the regime iran is not iraq world peace! war is not the answer!

[mixmastermeeks]

@X1termanator Actually Iraq and Iran fought to a draw....

[X1termanator]

@mixmastermeeks iraq failed to invade and caused millions of dollars in debt for the country thats a win and iran started taking land from iraq in the process thats a strategic fail lol

[mixmastermeeks]

@X1termanator Again, they fought to a draw. If you want to pretend that Iran won than you are welcome to. But the fact is that it cost Iran just as much as it cost Iraq. Iran was afraid enough of Iraq that Iraq worked as a buffer for between Iran and the Arabs for 25 years. 15 of that was after the war between them ended. And I don't know what makes you think Iran got an inch of Iraq land after the war (or during for that matter) but once again you are welcome to believe it if you would like.

[X1termanator]

@mixmastermeeks how did it cost just as much for iran when iraq spent millions on weapons and vehicles from other nations? iran didnt spend nearly as much as them my friend i never said they got land after the war... iran was in control of the war and pushed it into iraq and what happened in the end nothing but casualties so still i see it as a strategic fail in one case and in another i see it as ignorant arab nationalism its not pretending to believe its what happened..

[mixmastermeeks]

@X1termanator Well if you think that Iran "won" that war then you are pretending. It was a draw. In the end it was a waste of money and men for each side. Granted that it was 100% Iraq's fault, but that doesn't change the outcome. Iraq invaded, Iran pushed back into Iraq, Iraq fought back to original borders. Both sides declared victor (naturally) and that was it. Was it about Arab nationalism? maybe. Probably more about land and money though.

[X1termanator]

@mixmastermeeks yeah it was more about land and money i still dont understand how the iraqis declare victoy doesnt make sense still you keep saying its a draw but how does that work when you get your original borders back withought making progress and claim victory...would you like to explain?

[mixmastermeeks]

@X1termanator That is exactly what a draw is. Neither side won. After 9 years of killing each other neither side gained anything. Iraq declared victory because that was Saddam. He declared victory after his army got demolished in 1991. Obviously neither the Iran war or Gulf War were victories for Iraq (and especially not the Iraqi people).

[X1termanator]

@mixmastermeeks iraq declared victory because that was saddam yeah he was an egotistic maniac for sure but is that your reason to believe a website then logic?... you dont make any sense im sorry your being stuborn you just said his armies got demolished and he didnt gain anything so he failed and he lost those wars cant you see this am i blind and you still consider it a draw?. im gonna stop writing and hopefully you'll escape the imaginary land of pixies

[mixmastermeeks]

@X1termanator What are you talking about. What did Iran gain from the Iraq/Iran war? Nothing. They were attacked at first. Then went on the offensive and invaded Iraq heading for basra and they took an island or two. Iraq took them back. it ended in a cease fire (not a treaty). this was a draw. Iran didn't win. Iraq didn't win. Nobody won. If that's not a draw I don't know what is. Saddam failed, but so did Iran.

[nimrooo]

@mixmastermeeks

if holding back the entire arab world and half the western world while being under US and UN sanctions, right after a crippling revolution for 8 long years is not winning, I don't know what is.

The military industry of Iran today, plus all of Iran's gain in Lebanon and Palestine is due to that war.

[mixmastermeeks]

@nimrooo What? So let me get this straight, you think that Iran is BETTER off after an 8 year war that killed over 300,000 Iranians and ended with the Iranian army getting it's ass kicked in four major battles in 88 and forced to sign a U.N resolution? The Iranian military industry? Iran i excellent at intel, spec ops but would get wiped out in a conventional war. The grip it projects across the gulf now is more political than militaristic.

[nimrooo]

@mixmastermeeks

before taking this any further, let me ask you smtg first. Have you even read Robert Baer's book about Iran? It's only a couple of hundred pages and it's a really easy read. Read that and then come and talk to me. It explains exactly how the Iran-Iraq war taught Iran everything it needed about its military, from weaknesses to... Everything Iran has done since then, from Hezbollah to the missile program and the nuke program has been because of the 8 year war.

[mixmastermeeks]

@nimrooo Yeah I've read it. I have read all of his books including his novel "blow the house down". Well I guess he has a new one about him and his wife I haven't read but it just came out. The Devil We Know was a good book. His basic thesis was that Iran is a very rational, nationalistic nation that just wants to be recognized as a regional super power (because they are). But no where in the book does he imply that Iran "won" the war with Iraq.

[mixmastermeeks]

@nimrooo Learning lessons from a war does not mean that you won the war. Starting a nuclear program because of a war does not mean you won the war. I'm sorry but Iran and Iraq fought to a draw. I really don't see how you can come to any other conclusion. In fact at the end of the war Iraq had a big military advantage and that is why Iran sighned the U.N. agreement.

[mixmastermeeks]

@mixmastermeeks And I should add that you should read See No Evil where he has a different take on Iran.

[nimrooo]

@mixmastermeeks

your definition of winning is different then mine. How do you define winning? Iran was invaded and Iran's goals were to come out of the war without any loses to its territory. Anything more would be a plus. Iraq's was to capture to territory and do it in a matter of weeks to avoid damage to its economy. Iran won every one of its objectives, Iraq lost every one of their. Iran won that war.

On top of that, Iran defended itself against the arab world and half the Western world.

[mixmastermeeks]

@nimrooo I ran was invaded. But after they repelled the initial attack they went on the offensive and gained land, and then took many many causalties and lost that land. I'm sorry but fighting an 8 year war and gaining nothing except the status quo while loosing over 300,000 people is not a victory.

[nimrooo]

To us it is and that's where the discussion ends. We have two different mindsets.

Those men who lost their lives died for their country and would do it a 1000 times if they could. In Iran it is an honour to die for your country. People used to go and beg to be sent to the front lines but the military had more volunteers than it knew what to do with. Iran came out of that war intact, more nationalistic, smarter and more driven than ever. Iraq came out a crippled, divided mess.

[mixmastermeeks]

@nimrooo Did you read Mr. Baer's book. He painted a completely different picture of the Shia. In fact he pointed out that because the shia are not as quick as the Sunni to volunteer for martydom that they are a much more stable society. It sounds like you may have retained what you wanted to hear and discarded what you did not. And Iraq did not come out crippled. The gulf war crippled them, not Iran. Iraq was stronger than Iran at the end of their war....

[AntiMuhammed]

@nimrooo

"Iran came out of that war intact...Iraq came out a crippled"

Although I am a Persian too, I strongly disagree. After 88 Iran had to pay ridiculous prices to obtain US-products in the world-market e.g. spare-parts for their civil / military aircraft fleets or oil-industrial hardware (mostly by expensive intermediaries) because of the US embargo. Inflation and unemployment jumped.

In the US, Saddam was still a "respected" killer in 88...until the Kuwait-invasion only 2 years later.

[vorotnikova]

American foreign policy has gotten America boxed in with many many countries not just Iran. All it is that American Hegemony is in its death throws. All other things are just signs of times, a consequence.

[sonic61]

Iran=Superpower?. I think they aren't but a potential one. They could be one, but after a unification of the shiat muslims in the middle east. This unification leads to that iran gains most of the oil reserves worldwide. And that's what the U.S is afraid!.

[eKh79]

@sonic61

agreed, but check out these other interviews of robert baer ... he really makes some good points about iran beeing a superpower. an interesting subject.

[SeleccionesMundiales]

Turkey doesn't have large deposits of oil, Iran DOES and they can potentially GAIN MORE from neighboring countries such as Iraq as they are doing now. Since oil drives the world forward I'd say that Iran NOT Turkey is the real regional power.

[ArseneWenger12891]

Robert Baer is stupid because Iran is not the biggest superpower in the region, Turkey is.

[Dariushparis]

Man, i belive you are a turkish to say such a thing, i understand your patriotisme but tell me on what turky is more powerfull than Iran????

[OmgItsNikoZ]

you are the biggest idiot for saying that, turkey doenst mass produce and develop... thus being dependent... while iran is independent... most of the stuff are homemade thus being independant...

[mgodley89]

India.....is not a superpower

[mashaallah58]

aMERICANS KNOW NOTHING ABOUT SHIITE SECT OF ISLAM. LIE ARE PERMITTED BY ISLAM IN SHIITE CASE AND THEY CALL IT "TAQIYA" MEANS LIE TO SAVE YOUR ASS

[guywilly39]

@mashaallah58 At least we know how to turn off our capslock

[giga1265]

but bobby said, there is no secular revolution in DoS. but there is now!

[J4archae]

there is none. that is created by western media. Ahmadinejad has won fair election. Islamic republic will continue

[giga1265]

how many years you 'v been in iran. kidding me?? ahmadinejad defeated. for sure. but IR will continue by killing its own people not by it self. we see that now. and future shows better. i don't agree with those iranians who came and commented here, that regime can make nuke because lots of iranian student in the US. I know many of them, and no one is interested to collaborate with regime on this subject. it does'nt mean i am fan of US government, NO. but i see the reality.

[romanazazel]

Bob Baer, you are an idiot. Obviously you have learnt nothing after being on the ground in the middle East for so long. The riots in Tehran right now should prove to you that there IS a large and significant opposition to Ahmadinejad and the Clergy in Iran. The majority of Iranians don't want this Islamic regime, they want change, and freedom from the hands of these bloodsuckers.

[mrocean21]

Suppose we agree with that flawed assumption, do you think the iranians will ever accept a western installed iranian president? The U.S. supplied Iraq with the necessary weapons to invade Iran and also installed the Shah. Bottem line is there is no substitue for the current government.

[romanazazel]

It's pieces of shit like you that owe to be hacked to death, go run around with your fellow thugs the Basiji.

[mrocean21]

Ironic, Romana you oppose the Clergy in Iran and you want change and freedom from them, yet your own language shows how twisted, evil and full of hate you are to the free speech of other views in here. You're no different to the same regime you want removed, you're actually worse then them.

[Hafez21hafez21]

Very Very Very well Said mrocean21...this iranians who keep takling about changing current iranian regime are the most hatefull and un democratic people i have ever encountered in my life, and the funny thing is that this people want to bring democracy to Iran!!! but they have no sense of democracy what so ever.

This people will act much worst from the current Iranian regime if they ever get control of that country, witch is actualy not possible at all by the way. Robert baer is very smart.

[Hafez21hafez21]

The riots in Tehran mean nothing, , what part of it you people dont understand, a candidat who is also FROM THE SAME REGIME has lost an election, and he comes out and he says it was rigged, he had 13 million votes, his openent had 24 million votes, (BUT THEY ARE BOTH FROM THE SAME REGIME), now out of that 13 m voters about 500000 of them came out and did rioting, (THEY ARE SIMPLY A MINORITY) even if they had won IT WOULD STILL BE THE SAME REGIME), i dont know why you people just dont get this!!!

[TMITW]

wow... host is so fucking annoying. let the man talk u fuck

[behnamx]

The interviewer is a douche bag and a dumbass.

[spourabbas]

I don't know how many times I have watch this video!!! and even don't know how many times would watch it again!!!! I really enjoyed!!!

[tubebellator]

i understand why this program is called hardtalk, the host is hardheaded idiot

[Notjustanothertroll]

Robert Baer so much a professional. He is so practical in his thinking and analysis of the real world problems that are present in the middle east. In his book the Devil We Know he lays it out. A war with Iran would really mess things up for Saudi Arabia.The small gulf countries UAE, Qatar, and Bahrain just don't want to have any of it. The rulers of those countries know that Iran can have their country without firing a shot. Especially Bahrain they know the population is much closer to Iran

[ThePersianGulf]

There's one thing Americans should get it right.Perhaps most of Iranians hate Mullas's goverment, however the people of Iran are too proud to take an agression on the country.If it comes to that day, they will make a hell out of it for Americans. Goverments come & go this the course of history but the People of Iran are the same people whose civilisation served humanity for over 2500 years.Iranian people are most peaceful, but if it comes to violence, they fight to the last drop of their blood.

[zelzalosolh]

Let us beg to differ on your fantasy world from 30 years ago. Most Iranians do not hate "Mullahs" at all. All of your parroting and even the usage of the word "Mullah" and "2500 year old civilization" are all propaganda and revisionist phrases from the Shah regime, the British and French.

[ThePersianGulf]

English & French didn't exist 500BC but they created Mullas in the 16th century Only Mullazadehs(Mulla ancesstors) deny Iran's pride & rich history.Mullas r liers just like Khomeini who lied so much & stole d power.When Khomeni was asked by a journalist "how do u feel after being 17years away from Iran & now you're going to be welcomed by millions of passionate Iranians?" He replied " I feeling nothing!"Yes, most of Iranians hate Mullas liers & will get them good.Most Mullas used to be beggars!

[zelzalosolh]

My refugee friend,these old slogans are outdated. Like Robert Baer said, Iran is stronger than ever, and this is largely because the Ayatollah's enjoy support. Even your propaganda attempt about Khomeini is old and useless. Khomeini smiled for the first time when he went to Iran. A bbc correspondent with him on the plane explained he said "I feel nothing" because Khomeini believed in fate. The word "Mullah" you use in a derogatory manner is an invention by British. Read some books please.

[gsg831]

Iranians hate the gov in place in iran. There is no support for Khameni.  If he had support he wouldnt outlaw criticism. If they have support why dont iranians vote? Majority of iranians dont vote to show that this gov is illegitimate. Im not a monarchist, im just real. Iranians dont like the shah, khomeni, khameni or mek rats and expats who support war against their nation.

[zelzalosolh]

Please don't speak for "Iranians" halfway across the world. If you think Iranians don't vote you must have been confined to staying in your western cave, this is outrageous and not based on any statistical evidence. Iranians vote just as much and at times even more than other countries. You claim that Iran wants a regime change. But of course Robert Baer is right when he says, Iranians dont want a regime change at all. This is a classical Refugees+mentality of 30 years alienation vs. Robert Baer

[gsg831]

Look idiot wether they vote or not the supreme leader controls the country. Also show me what % of iranians voted. Most ahmadinejad supporters were poor villagers who he subsidised just for votes. They were happy they got some money but he didnt help the country in Iran he is looked at like a george bush. A vote dosnt count if the gov fillters candidates. Iranians want to reform. They dont want another revolution but they are tired of their gov. USA could help make it easier by engaging.

[zelzalosolh]

This is pathetic, desperately try to confuse your reader with 8 different topics at a time, none of which have anything to do with facts? I guess this is where we part. Most Iranians do vote, the supreme leader does not have an authoritarian position (this says a lot about how alienated you are from understanding Iranian politics). Ahmadinejad gave money to EVERYONE during August 2008, not only poor. Stop barking so much. Robert Baer, understands Iran does not want another regime unlike U

[m410m133]

Being an Iranian myself i have come across people like (gsg813), some of this Iranians that are out side of Iran say things that is so delusional some times i dont know what planet they live in. Not every body of course. If some one that those not know what's going on and talks with some of this iranian's will get an absolutly wrong picture of politics, people, culture etc.. from what it realy is out there.

I think The US government also has been misled by this few iranian's out side of Iran.

[m410m133]

I mean you try to have a inteligent conversaiton with them , when they are proven wrong they resort to cursing and swering, and they just repeat certain outdated slogans like mantras , they have repeated this slogans for such a long time that have really believed themselfs.

just like this guy (gsg831).

[yoboss1049]

interviewer is a douche

[limelight88]

I am iranian and i seriously dont understand the zionist talks. to be honest Isreal did not do anything wrong to us. I had a very close freind who went to Isreal long ago and for that reason i support Isreal. it is simply naive to assume that if Isreal treat arabs better things will be diffrent it is a game in which one side can exist for arabs there is no co-existance and of course same goes to Xtremist in Isreal. The end will be dramatic and perhaps there wont be an end to this conflict.

[PersiaMyLove]

I'm also an Iranian who wants Iran & Israel to be friends. But, to what expense? The fact is, the Western powers use Israel to destroy our country. For them, it's unacceptable to see Iran as a regional power, no matter who is our leader. They did the same thing to the Shah by supporting Khomeini's "revolution". Shortly after, at a time Iran was going through big changes, they cowardly waged war against us through Saddam to destroy us. These bastards want our destruction. They should rot in hell!

[rh1365]

The Zionist Entity is an extension of the Western (US in particular) power in the Middle East, and we must not allow others to interfere into the Middle East.

[artbiz45]

Listen carefully Iran is now a supper power and not comfortable with unrest around the region that is caused by US, UK, or Israel for the control oil or land . If you are Iranian you will not say Israel have not done anything to us. Israel is making and causing all of the problems and a Government like this never had a place in the history. Read our History and yes the End perhaps will be dramatic for the one who survives . why bother with war lets solve the problem and have peace.

[theevilpersian]

He says the things I have been saying for 3 years now...good interview.

[EshghamVatanam]

baer speaks the truth

[koby24]

im persian and all it comes down to is the bitch zionist and their controll of the U.S. government. fuck the zionist jews and they will soon be wipeed from the page of time

[Superboy316KING]

this fucking guy keeps asking about a bomb as if it's a fact.

stupid fucking british moron

[ferociousdee]

Are you American? Britain has the best, most liberal press in the World, and BBC is the flagship of this.

Puts Fox News to shame.

[Superboy316KING]

I'm not one to defend fox but BBC is full of shit sometimes. Their journalists have little or no knowledge at all about the topics they are reporting on. Ths journalist in this video is a clear example of ignorant british journalism

[ARTAUDIOJOTA]

Al-jezie is the best

[abadani54]

I'm Iranian, and I say:finally a American with knowlege about Iran and M.E policy/ problem.Thanx mr.Bear.

[cszuch25]

@abadani54 im a america. Im a 27 year old hungarian/irish male from Detroit Michigan. And I can tell you NO AMERICAN IVE TALKED TOO wants a war with Iran. We dont want no more war with anyone. I want the golden years to return where the world doesnt go to war for millinia. May peace be with Iran, America and Israel. I hope there are no more wars. And to my American government. Try friendly diplomacy instead of bombs and sanctions. The world will respecy you more and probaly be your friends

[akashvora]

first of all i am not an iranian or an american.i am worried about is the depressing condition of your people where they are subjected to ridiculous laws. I am especially concerned about the state of women, atleast they should be allowed to vote. If your leaders were smart they could use the oil money to build a fair society with institutions instead of a nuclear reactor. Also solar energy can be very effective as solution for your energy problems as it is cheaper and eco friendly

[slotersloter]

Iranian women are allowed to vote since the 1960s.

[akashvora]

oh yes sorry about that i got that wrong but principally speaking women should be given more rights

[Hesam0000]

I'm Iranian.

I know my people. They are on American universities' president's-honor-rolls in every university they attend.

My estimate is, that if Iran ever wishes to aquire nuclear bombs, it can, within 1 year or less by it's own technology & it's own scientists, or within 2-3 months by purchasing them from some other country.

I can also predict that Iran does not have any nukes or any desire to aquire them because they know there's not a chance in hell any Iranian ever uses nukes on others.

[dellsprospects2]

Don't you think the the only solution for negotiations is complete transparency, for Iran to allow US into all their nuclear facilities, since they insist on using nuclear energy? I really don't think nukes would ever be used again, they're too messy, greenpeace would just pitch tents on the white house lawn permanently!