DOSE THE MIDDLE EAST DESERVE THE MISTRUST GIVEN TO THEM

“Iran isn’t exactly North Korea. Iran has large malls and shopping centers. Iran has lots of freeways with traffic congestion.”

Britain has lots of shopping centres and motorways. It didn’t make London immune from the attentions of Muslim terrorists who were actually British citizens, did it? Britain is a Democracy but we still manage, within that democracy, to allow our own citizens the freedom to attack the democracy in which they live. Somehow, I can’t see that being tolerated in Iran.

Is Iran a democracy? Was the overthrow of the Shah a democratic process? And the holding of hostages in 1979? Are the Iranian leadership truly elected? By that I mean can anyone stand as a candidate for election or does the Government decide who is eligible? Not being sarcastic here, I’m asking because I don’t know.

Some recent bombings in Iraq have been attributed to groups who had the bombs supplied or received their training from Iran. Can anyone tell me what the Pro-Western Democratic Government of Iran are doing to prevent the supply of materiel and training to Iraqi insurgents/terrorists/freedom fighters?

As to Grey Area’s comment regarding Israel. Seeing that it is the universally declared and avowed intent of every Muslim fanatic to ensure the destruction of both the Israeli State and the Jewish people, is it not obvious that they would wish to hold a ‘bigger stick’ than those who are intent on their distruction?

PilotDKH.

The Iranian Government may or may not have peaceful intentions regarding their nuclear programme. But as they were not averse to using chemical weapons (WMD’s) in their war against Iraq, can we be truly confident that Iran will be able to control its nuclear technology in future? One Ayatollah dies, another hardliner replaces him….

Regards,

kev35

I’ll have to think about this one before I respond. I know what I mean to say but am not sure I can express it properly at the moment. Having to think may be good for the soul but it don’t half make your head ache.

Regards,

kev35

Why dose the west mistrust the middle east,while watching the news today i was surprised to see a report from IRAN by a former Iranian citizen whos report made out it was a surprise that western trends were in IRAN,it also asked the people what they thought we thought of them wanting nuclear power,why shouldn’t other countries be allowed the nuclear technology.
Wouldn’t it be interesting to find out what the middle eastern people thought of us,seen as they only see the TV version of our lives as we see the same of theirs.

Iran isn’t exactly North Korea. Iran has large malls and shopping centers. Iran has lots of freeways with traffic congestion. Iran has people opposing political leaders and you have two clear distinct factions. those who are reformers and those who are more traditional conservatives. They have internet there, and the country is much more stable than Pakistan or even Saudi Arabia.

why the mistrust? I think it’s largely an issue of influence and economic rivalry in the region rather than ideological. Initially secular gov’ts like Iraq, and the monarchies of the Gulf, feared the theological movement from Iran. So did the west. Nowadays you see Iran and the west competing over investment and political influence over neighboring countries i.e Central Asia, etc..

Regarding Iran, can anyone be sure that the only reason they want nuclear technology is for peaceful means and not so that they can use it’s posession as a bargaining tool, or, God forbid, actually start throwing missiles with nuclear warheads at those who are not in their favour.

Notwithstanding the fact that it is a (generally) pro-Western democracy one could reasonably ask the same question about Israel, could one not?

After all, Israel actually does possess both nuclear weapons and the means for their delivery.

To an extent laviticus,but not completely.That’s just stereotyping.
Iran however, is a different case.Being Farsi speaking non-Arabs; they’re not actually middle east in the normal sense (not part of the Arabian peninsula).Westerners (Americans especially) tend to forget that.
I was discussing similar issues with Iranian relatives & it’s not that surprising.There’s always been “western trends” among the people.American films & music are popular there (despite being officially banned).
An interesting question kev.But to use your words; can anyone be sure their desire for nuclear technology is NOT peacefull? There is the real question!
Considering their nuclear power programme IS operational & has been around since the 1970’s,there is no evidence or reason to assume it’s not peacefull.

It’s an interesting question. I suppose in a basic sense that the Middle East’s embracing of terrorism does lead to a certain degree of mistrust. Regarding Iran, can anyone be sure that the only reason they want nuclear technology is for peaceful means and not so that they can use it’s posession as a bargaining tool, or, God forbid, actually start throwing missiles with nuclear warheads at those who are not in their favour.

Regards,

kev35