Untangling the Paradox of Iran

On September 26, 2008 the New America Foundations American Strategy Program hosted Hooman Majd to discuss his recent book, The Ayatollah Begs to Differ: The Paradox of Modern Iran.

The book is a critical, but affectionate portrayal of Iranian society pointing out similarities and differences between Iranians and Americans. Iranians are like Americans in that they are concerned about their economy, their livelihoods, and their politics. They do not wake up every morning thinking they are living under tyranny. What the Iranians are looking for is respect. Respect for them as a people and for them as an Islamic Republic. When the U.S. claims that they will talk with the Iranians on our terms at a place and time of our choosing those statements are disrespectful to Iran as a sovereign nation.

It is important to note that current sanctions against Iran are affecting that nation. Majd said China continually uses Iran as a market for its low-cost substandard goods. The housing market in Iran has typically been the primary economic sector of stability, but that is showing a slight downturn. However, that downturn is not the same as the housing crisis facing the U.S. Majd noted any sanctions against the Iranian central bank would be severely detrimental to the country.

Iranian attitudes toward the recent Russian invasion of Georgia showed Iranians supportive of Russia. Iranian leadership sees this as an opportunity. Iran is viewed as the only state standing in the way from Russia becoming a regional hegemonic power. It is in the U.S. interest to support Iran in order to prevent extension of Russian influence.

In the June 2009 election, there is an opportunity for the reformists to take control of the Iranian government. However, President Ahmadinejad is constantly showing himself as a world leader with trips to the UN, dinners with American scholars, and meetings with Iranian Americans. When Ahmadinejad recently spoke to the UN General Assembly he held a press conference after his speech where he only took questions from Arab and Iranian reporters so it would be easily accessible on news networks in the Middle East.

Finally, Majd discussed the issue of Iranian political activists. He noted that the worst measure the U.S. can take is to support reformists groups. Due to anti-American sentiment among parts of the Iranian population, when the U.S. supports something the Iranian people are less likely to follow.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• Iran
• President
• Foreign
• Policy
• Middle
• East
• Paradox
• Ayatollah

[itsmehere1009]

A good conversation .. thanks

[avicenna17400]

This guy is great.

[neocons1345]

Hooman Majd= Filthy Bacheh Akhond (son of a filthy Mullah)...fuck you Hooman, If you like Islam and mullahs, why the fuck don't you live in Iran? Who made you an expert on Iran? You are an agent of the mullah to lobby here in US...

[g37k03d]

@talk2u2c exactly..

[iiNDiTC]

I'm not saying that the context of 50 yrs ago is relevant to todays, but that history has shown something to Iranians much different than the rhetoric expressed by current politicians.

[iiNDiTC]

mogaye ke Imam e Khomeini goft marg bar America, dorost migoft.

When the uk occupied Iran's Oil, they would also buy pieces of small land owned by poor rural villagers who farmed wheat. The english used the stolen oil and sprayed it along the fertilized farm lands, then took a match and burnt it to ashes. This action was deliberate, indiscriminate, and politically motivated, and many starved, many lineups for bread were over a miles length.

[dadautube]

خوش به حالت بچه آخوند!

گو فاک یورسلف دن!

....

[talk2u2c]

Iran begging for respect??? Mr Majd better stick to translation and not analysis. He has lived in US for such a long time he has no idea what respect means let alone what Iran is after.

He stands here as if Iranians are some egoistic, petty minded nation in need of western respect and approval. Why would any Iranian wish for a bunch of murderers and hoodlums to respect them. What Iranians want is for US and westerners to F****-off and leave ME alone.

[royamaroof]

respect!

[iiNDiTC]

agreed with hogo.

dadautube to ye oozgal eh nafam ie

i have studied these things, you have not.

[maresarbedar]

since the cudeta in iran with was CIA and MI6 job wich over thrown president musaddegh who was elected by iranians and he was the only peresident who was elected 100% throw democracy and cia desteroy that and thats why they burned usa embassy after shah left and to this day they blame and hate usa for killing the democracy in iran,and also usa used shah as a poppet to still irans oil.

[dadautube]

to avicenna17400: yes dear, the world is not B&W surely, but guys like the fanatic rules in IRI or the retard conservatives in USA who are standing at extreme ends of the spectrum in their viewpoints over the world make the whole thing look b&w! and they leave others with no choice but to stand against them in a similar manner.