What are we learning from Iran's election?

Posted By Brian Fung Wednesday, June 3, 2009 - 3:40 PM Share

Think you know something about Iran? Think again, says Fareed Zakaria in the latest issue of Newsweek:

In an interview last week, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the Iranian regime as "a messianic, apocalyptic cult." In fact, Iran has tended to behave in a shrewd, calculating manner, advancing its interests when possible, retreating when necessary ... The regime jails opponents, closes down magazines and tolerates few challenges to its authority. But neither is it a monolithic dictatorship.

Zakaria's observations were upheld yesterday as supporters of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmedinejad publicly (and peacefully) confronted those of his rival, moderate Mir Hossein Musavi. Musavi is challenging Ahmedinejad in the current round of presidential elections in Iran.

It's a little premature to make sweeping generalizations, but the fact that this demonstration of political freedom occurred at all suggests the United States deeply misunderstands its rival. Just as it's becoming clear now that Ahmedinejad doesn't represent "a monolithic dictatorship," it should be equally evident that vilifying Iran as an undemocratic, irrational power is neither accurate nor helpful.

(Hat tip: Andrew Sullivan)

EXPLORE:ELECTIONS, IRAN

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HASS

4:13 PM ET

June 3, 2009

They're EVIL!!!!!!

But...But...they're EEEEVVVUUUUUULLLLLL !!!
Get with the program! Nuanced views of other countries prevents the sort of "US good guys versus them bad guys" world view that our politicians like to promote!
Repeat after me: Iran is a totaliatrian, millenialist dictatorship headed by a apocalyptic messianist tyrant of a leader whose only ambition in life is to kill infidels as he seeks to recreate the Caliphate. Rush Limbaugh says so, so it must be true.

HASS

4:14 PM ET

June 3, 2009

Oh, I forgot to add

Hitler, Hitler, Hitler. 1938. Nazis. Appeasement. Hitler again.

There.

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