Discussing Iran

[X.]

Ok.

Just to put things in perspective, Japan has an average access speed of 61Mbps.
Sorry, couldn't help it...

Yeah, well, they had two nukes dropped on their parents, so fuck Japan.

Japan is a pacifist country. Iran is not.

When all hell breaks loose and countries are being attacked left right and center, and we need to fight fire with fire, nukes with nukes, I know which country I would feel safer in. (Answer: Pakistan.)

[madali]

Its easy to be out of harm's way in war as long as you are in a city that is not near to any significient city.

I present you: Ewaz, my hometown in Iran. We are in the south of Iran, away from any major Iran city, we have no airport, no real infrusture, basically if any country wipes Ewaz from the map of Iran, it does not negatively affect the Iranian government in no way, so no one will waste their bullets. And given that we are far from anywhere bomb-worthy, we wont even be collatoral damage. And no matter what border they cross from, we won't really be in the way. Ewazis also receive very little from the government (as we are sunni (but not really anti-government like the Baluchi-Iranian sunnis or the Arab-Iranian sunnis or the Kurdish-Iranian sunnis)) so any big hit to the government of Iran wont drastically affect our daily lives.

My family tells me that the revolution came and went without much impact on Ewaz, and Ewazis barely were aware of any war during the 8 year war with Iraq. And I spend some time in Ewaz last week, during the tension filled 22 Bahman holidays, but I felt disconnected from all political news.

I'm convinced that if there were a mass nuclear warfare, Ewaz would be safe, and in the post-apolcypse world, the ewazis would start importing and exporting the scraps, because most ewazis are born and bred to be merchants.

[shariqq]

Fascinating read. Why not split previous thread onwards and give us your Diary from Ewaz/Iran?

[shariqq]

Btw, Iran has issued a warning that it will ban those airlines from entering its airspace that have their infliight screens show the Persian Gulf as Arabian Gulf.

[madali]

While I think i t should remain Persian Gulf, I have to admit that its a stupid threat that I doubt it will materialize.

[ozzylogic]

MAD, regardless, you should start working on your bunker.

[X.]

America or Israel cannot touch Iran. As much as Westerners would like to believe that since Iran is Shia and hence has less support in the Sunni world, this is a fallacy; Iran still has a lot of popular support among the masses in Middle East.

[ayaa1977]

America or Israel cannot touch Iran. As much as Westerners would like to believe that since Iran is Shia and hence has less support in the Sunni world, this is a fallacy; Iran still has a lot of popular support among the masses in Middle East.

And look how that served Iraq. I don't think they will have a full fledged war against Iran, but that has absolutely nothing to do with Middle-Eastereners support or the lack of it for Iran, it will be because of Americans War machine and the Americans own will to engage in a brutal war in Iran, which is unlikely at this point. Such a war will keep the region and its oil captive for long time, which is nothing that the West wants right now. That's my take on it. 

[X.]

Populist opinion among the masses influences the media which impacts the government which controls foreign policy.

To think America likes to wage war is reductive. They have a long-term strategy of imperialism and war is not essential to that goal. Iran poses a threat because after it acquires nuclear capability, it will enjoy a better psychological advantage than a political advantage. Think about it: what changes after Iran acquires nuclear weapons? Will Iran automatically launch a nuclear attack on Israel? Of course not. The new situation would mean there is another nuclear power in the Middle East, besides Israel. That gives moral strength to every kid in the street, wielding a rock in his hand. (Of course, for squabbling Middle Eastern countries that like to maintain leadership position, countries like Saudi, this can also be bad news because Iran is Shiaa and they are not. The power balance changes.)

[madali]

I think whats more scarier for the Arab countries than the fact that its Shia is that it is somewat democratic (even if not fully). If Iran becomes a significient regional power and player, this would give a boost to the masses of the arab world that would similiar demand a change to their current government structure.

[ozzylogic]

This thread has been completely derailed.

[madali]

Every girl is absolutely gorgeous here. Walking by people waiting in bus lines is enjoyable because of how many beautiful girls you will see.

[fizz]

You're coming back married aren't you?

[madali]

I thought of saying "yes" to that, but Im awful at making decisions. I havent gotten a bank account yet

[ayaa1977]

I think whats more scarier for the Arab countries than the fact that its Shia is that it is somewat democratic (even if not fully). If Iran becomes a significient regional power and player, this would give a boost to the masses of the arab world that would similiar demand a change to their current government structure.

The only fear our countries have from Iran is not democracy, Iran has been "democratic" for long now and doesn't need nuclear bomb to makes the Arab population suddenly fell in love with its way of governing. Furthermore, I don't think that the Iranian example of democracy is any better than Egypt's, Lebanon's, or Jordan's, so if we are to take a cue why go all the way to Iran when we have our own dysfunctional democracies to pick and choose from. Even Kuwait has been democratic for so long and look how dysfunctional its government has been for years now because of the Nation's Assembly and its abuse of its constitutional power.

The only fear we have from Iran is its aspiration of exporting revolutions and chaos to our countries, it is a legitimate fear and Iran never hid that rhetoric or denied it. I am sorry but we should be rightfully concerned of Iran nuclear power just as we should be afraid of Israel's. It is true that Iran will probably never have to use it, but just having the ability to press that trigger will drastically change the game against us which is something that we are not thrilled about. I think that if Saddam had nuclear abilities that Kuwait would still be occupied and the West could have never forced him out, and that is what scares us the most. Except for the populists who would do and say anything to spite America even shooting themselves in the foot, it happened after 2001 and not surprisingly will keep happening over and over.