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The Trouble With And The Hope For Iran February,2009
As a part of my interest in counter terrorism, social dynamics and how the world will be in 3-5 years (considering the extensive changes about to take place), I've been doing a lot of research into Iran. Of course I have - and with an open mind!!! We all know, we don't have to look far to find military and political "intelligence" that outlines in detail the extent to which Iran is involved in funding and arming factions in Lebanon, the Palestinian territories, and others, creating deadly instability throughout the Middle East, the latest result of which was the Israeli invasion of Gaza.
Now, whilst these reports (from almost every group, angle, aspect) are likely to be true, one MUST ask the questions why? And ... isn't this simply an emulation of what's been going on in the Middle East and throughout the world from other powers and superpowers? The condemnation of Iran reminds me of the old saying "people in glass houses should not throw stones".
Honestly, we also don't have to look far to see the strong evidence of vast and unwarranted interference from too many externals. It's clear what has to be done to step back from the madness we are on the brink of.
There are many in Iran who see themselves at war - and war is waged against them from overt and covert programmes. Conversely there are many within Israel and the US who feel exactly the same and believe it is their divine right, or even the pure instinct of survival, to continue this hidden war in order to survive, in order to justify their own beliefs.
And, honestly, just what will this achieve?
The world has finite resources already. Why waste the rest of them on this pointless conflict that is simply a true testament of the inhumanity of man?
To the people in the west - the Iranians are not stupid, mindless terrorists whose only skill is to organise unconvincing mass protests to burn an endless supply of flags. To the people of Iran - the west is not populated by demons whose only intention is to enslave the world. As there are extremists on all sides, so there are reasonable people on all sides. The extremists, where ever they be, only have power if reasonable people stand back and allow them to have it - and then deny responsibility. In a land of extremists, the extremists become ever more extreme simply to have their voices heard in the increasingly insane din.
The world is changing. The pace of change is increasing. The time is right to reach out and start to build bridges. Dire and desperate crimes have been committed by all parties. No one is innocent. No one is pure. No one is right over everyone else. There is a great need for the reasonable people to stand up and be noticed. It's happened in the US with Barak Obama. In Iran there are people such as Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani - now there is a man I can do business with. In a fast changing world, Iran really does need reasonable and respected people.
The trouble with Iran is that, currently in the grip of the extremists, it is using exactly the same tactics as it accuses the west of doing. In a world of increasing madness, being more mad, is hardly a route to success. The world needs no more extremism, whether from Iran or from anyone else.
The hope for Iran are reasonable, reasonable and respected people such as Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani.
Mr. Rafsanjani, if you are listening - as you are a reasonable person, speak to us. We are reasonable people. We have common ground. We all want the best future for our children. We are all in this world together. We have a shared future - together. And ... we all have our own home grown extremists to contend with. I know we are not all like that. It is time we took responsibility for our future.
Be a world leader. Be one of those few who changes the world for the better - not one of those lunatics who believes in changing the world through killing as many people as possible. We've all had enough of them.
Regards
JS
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