Misreading Iran's unrest

Los Angeles Times by Alastair Crooke | Jul. 12, 2009 (Opinion)

The troubles that have followed the Iranian presidential elections have been generally misread by the Western media and policymakers. What we are witnessing is not a frustrated East European-style "color revolution"; nor is presidential candidate Mir-Hossein Mousavi's movement an uprising of liberal, Westernized sympathizers against the principles of the Iranian Revolution -- although there are surely some who are hostile to the revolution among his ... Full Story »

Posted by Leo Romero

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Subjects: World, U.S.
Topics: Iran, Foreign Policy
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Posted by: Posted by Leo Romero - Jul 12, 2009 - 10:47 AM PDT
Reviewed by: Leo Romero (review), Chris Finnie (review), DT8 (review), Naomi Isler (review), James Canning (review), Bill Hosmon (review), Ara Gregorian (review)
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Edited by: Leo Romero - Jul 12, 2009 - 10:47 AM PDT

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Chris Finnie
4.3
 by Chris Finnie - Jul. 12, 2009

Given Mr. Crooke's background, this is a compelling revision of the general interpretation of events in Iran. Given the widespread tendency to interpret events as we wish to see them, he may be right that the West has misread this. Especially given how little most of us know about the country and culture.

See Full Review » (11 answers)
Naomi Isler
4.5
 by Naomi Isler - Jul. 12, 2009

It gives the view of a Westerner who has considerable experience in and presumably understanding of the Middle East. And it's a different view than appears in most of the Western media.

This tries to deflate Western wishful thinking about happenings in Iran.

See Full Review » (10 answers)
James Canning
4.9
 by James Canning - Jul. 12, 2009

Alastair Crooke demonstrates why he is one of the best commentators on the politics of the Middle East. He thinks western demonstrations of support for Mousavi will actually work against the interests the west was trying to promote.

No matter who is president of Iran, the US needs to deal with him and end the foolish effort to isolate Iran when its help is needed to bring stability to the Middle East.

See Full Review » (7 answers)
Leo Romero
3.0
 by Leo Romero - Jul. 12, 2009
Leo posted this story.
See Full Review » (1 answer)
Ara Gregorian
3.5
 by Ara Gregorian - Jul. 22, 2009

Although Mr. Crooke offers great insight into the events in Iran, however, in my opinion, he falls short of outlining the entire range of possible scenarios and I find his conclusion to be the least plausible of outcomes.

See Full Review » (6 answers)
Bill Hosmon
5.0
 by Bill Hosmon - Jul. 16, 2009
See Full Review » (5 answers)
DT8
3.6
 by DT8 - Jul. 12, 2009
See Full Review » (5 answers)

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