Mike Pouraryan
Iran's Political Theatre: The Latest Acts
During my daily "write-up" yesterday, I wrote about Rafsanjani's latest moves. He had been playing both sides of the fence. For instance, he had interevened in the case of the son of Behesti, Iran's first post-revolutionary Chief Justice, whose wife and children were also due to be arrested by authorities. But, as this image shows, everybody was smiles during a meeting with Khameini yesterday. It was a party!!!!
The body that is supposed to be "Supervising" the Supreme Leader, went to pay hommage to him. Rafsanjani (aka Akbar Shah) was there, along with other leading luminaries of the Islamic System. This image also shows the head of the Guardian Council, Janati, who handed the election to the current President.
During this "love fest", the major players spoke. What I found significant was Khameini's speech blasting those who questioned the results of the June elections. What he, in effect, said that everyone needs to basically shut up and accept things as they are. He called those who questioned the election as losing the right to participate in the political process. It is tough to fight someone who is a legend in his own brain with logic and reason.
As it stands, the regime has won a tactical victory. I foresaw this six months ago when I said that they would pull a "Burma" Option and quell dissent. Karoubi and Moussavi have been effectively silenced. They have professed their loyalty to the system throughout this debate. Yet, with this new edict from Khameini, they seem to have lost another round.
For the sake of argument, let's just assume he is right. How does he explain this:
This is the Google Earth Image of the so-called celebrations that took place last month when idiotnejad spoke. So, where are all those legions of people who are for the Government? Where have they all gone?
In the meantime, life goes on. Idiotnejad was in Syria and signed off on an agreement to drop Visa Requirements between the two countries. Iranian agents also brought down a plane carrying Rigi, Jundullah's leader, and arrested him. Jundullah is a group based in Southern Iran who has been fighting against the Government for Sunni rights for a number of years. There is, of course,
