Laura Rozen: Iran May Be About To Dump Ahmadinejad. Meanwhile, American and Israeli Neocons Hope Mad Mahmoud Wins
Foreign Policy's Laura Rozen has a great piece on what might be happening in Iran. The madman could lose.
It seems like almost too much to hope for. But, as I noted earlier, there is some evidence that the neocons are worried. They want Ahmadinejad in there because without him the Iran nuclear threat could fade and they would lose their justification for bombing Iran. In Yedioth Achronoth today (that is Israel's #1 circulation newspaper) Soli Shahvar director of the Ezri Center for Iran and Persian Gulf Studies at the University of Haifa)writes that "Mousavi is bad for Israel" and that Israelis need to hope that Ahmadinejad wins. His reasoning: Mousavi's moderation will weaken western resolve to confront Iran.
The New Republic's proprietor, Martin Peretz, is already writing that Ahmadinejad doesn't matter anyway. He's obviously scared that the crazed Holocaust denier will disappear.
Daniel Pipes, on the far right edge of neocondom, flatout says "I would vote for Ahmadinejad," so reports Daniel Luban in Inter Press Service (IPS).
At this point no one knows what will happen on Friday. But one thing that becomes clear as the neocons pray for an Ahmadinejad victory: there is no limit to what these people will support or endorse in order to achieve their goal of a civilizational war with Muslims, absolutely nothing. Don't think they are motivated by love of Israel (which is obviously better off with Ahmadinejad gone). They are motivated solely by hatred of Muslims. (See this hate piece by fringe neocon columnist Debbie Schlussel who says that even though the Holocaust museum killer is a white supremacist, the attack was the fault of the Muslims).
See this by Iranian American scholar, Trita Parsi. His piece is called "Ahmadinejad's Little Helpers" and he's referring to some of the Congressional Iran hawks (Likud lovers) who would like to help Ahmadinejad with an October surprise -- an Iran-bashing amendment this week (or next, if there is a runoff).
As someone who strongly supports the bombing of Iran's nuclear facilities should there be no diplomatic progress by the end of the year I must say your post is almost unworthy of even commenting on.
Almost.
"Don't think they are motivated by love of Israel (which is obviously better off with Ahmadinejad gone). They are motivated solely by hatred of Muslims."
Come on what kind of nonsense is that? Their thinking is quite simple, an Iranian regime attempting to acquire nuclear weapons that has a "reformist" face has a far better chance of politically (and thereby militarily) disarming the West than an Iranian regime with a raving madman as the public face of Iran. That is the theory anyway. But it has nothing to do with "hating Muslims." Really, get a grip.
Personally, I hope the reformers win. Mahmoud's anti-Semitism is becoming almost as dangerous as his lust for nuclear weapons. Anti-Semitism is running unchecked around the world as we saw in Washington today. The sooner Wackajob can be consigned to his soap box in his filthy alley in Tehran and not the presidential palace the better.
June 10, 2009 6:50 PM | Reply | Permalink
You're paranoid, and an out-of-control militarist. Fascist scum like yourself have already caused enough suffering in the Middle East.
June 10, 2009 7:52 PM | Reply | Permalink
C.J., I can't help thinking you should bone-up on fellows like Pipes a bit. This it the guy who reproached Israel for not annihilating the Palestinians. Nothing new...many Cold Warriors hated communism more than they loved America, for instance. Look back at the old Grand Master of Direct Mail campaign contributions, Richard Viguerie, who based his method on the fact that his constituency would give 10 times as much gold for something they are against than something they are for.
I think M.J's argument is valid. Pipes didn't say he would vote for the madman for nothing.
June 10, 2009 8:29 PM | Reply | Permalink
Am I the only one cynical enough to believe that the neo-cons are motivated more by a habitual tendancy for whatever would be most likely to increase military spending.
No hatered is required to explain that war is what works for these guys
The neo-cons are simple creatures of habit, reflexively suckling at the teat that has fed them ever since they arrived on the scene.
Increases in military spending has spilled money and power into the hands of people who are willing to finance and employ neo-cons. Why would we expect them to do anything but continue to try to create a need for more military spending.
June 11, 2009 2:22 AM | Reply | Permalink
"an Iranian regime attempting to acquire nuclear weapons that has a "reformist" face has a far better chance of politically (and thereby militarily) disarming the West than an Iranian regime with a raving madman as the public face of Iran"
So we WANT the "raving madman" to win? Seriously? That, my friend, is Cheney-esque in its depravity.
June 11, 2009 8:22 AM | Reply | Permalink
I've seen similar thinking in other contexts. For instance, whenever there's an election in Israel, someone is always guaranteed to say that a right-wing government is preferable because it shows the "true nature of the beast." Conversely, people of the opposite persuasion have expressed the hope that Hizbullah would win the Lebanese election in order to damage its strategic position.
Implicit in all this thinking is the notion that the entity in question - Iran, Israel, Hizbullah - is in fact a "beast" whose true nature must be shown, and that moderate elements within that entity are really just window dressing (or, should I say, lipstick on a pig). It depends both on stereotyped characterization of these countries and on willful ignorance of the real differences between their political parties. The neocons have never been known for the subtlety of their thinking so why should we be surprised that they have succumbed?
June 11, 2009 12:48 PM | Reply | Permalink
This is a howler: " Anti-Semitism is running unchecked around the world as we saw in Washington today."
So, which White Man's house do we get to bomb to make up for this domestic terrorism?
June 11, 2009 1:10 PM | Reply | Permalink
Wow. The actions of the neocons were bad enough when we merely though that they were willing to bomb anyone for the benefit of Israel. But for you to say that they are motivated solely by hatred of Muslims is something else altogether more vile.
June 10, 2009 9:28 PM | Reply | Permalink
Ummm.. the neo-cons and the left are working on the same team. Dismantle the US economy, fling open the borders to unrestricted free trade, destroy wage standards, workplace protections, erode food, product, drug safety provisions, environmental protections. Redefine public drinking water supplies and other resources as "products" rather than resources and put them up for sale to the highest bidder. That is what the far leftist's dream candidate Obama has been in aid of. He's got an enemies list, right out of McCarthyism, he's abusing power, he's lied and is secretly exploiting the trillions he's taken from China in our name, just like thugs like Robert Mugabe, and the now late president of Gibon. Fattening himself while subjecting the majority of Americans to dire poverty. You all are neo-cons, you act like them, think like them and are as callous and corrupt.
A cabinet full of lobbyists, billions given to Wall St fat cats, and foreign banking and investment interests. Impose trillions in debt on the working poor and middle classes, legalize slavery, destroy all freedoms and rights. It is the far left who love Ahmadinejad, who have sat in silence when he authorized the hanging of teenaged gays. I am no republican, but I haven't seen any of them trying to protect Ahmadinejad, in fact they've spoken about how the imams who allied with Ahmadinejad, and are now abandoning him, will still be the power behind whatever dupe that is selected to take his place.
June 10, 2009 10:07 PM | Reply | Permalink
You're another delusional paranoiac. And "you're no Republican?" Give me a break, you lying asshole.
Tell me what political party the neocons align themselves with, and then take a big bite of shut the fuck up.
June 10, 2009 11:39 PM | Reply | Permalink
Brewmn61,
mm232 may really not be a Republican. Dave Neiwert in his excellent book "The Eliminationists" explains how the Republicans have been moving towards the right-wing extremist fringe since the early 90's.
Neiwert explains that the Republicans and the extremist right-wing fringe are now very similar in their messages, but the extremists still reject the Republicans. mm232 may be way out there on the extremist fringe beyond the Republicans. Those individuals reject even conservative Republicans (and Bill O'Reilly as a member of the "liberal media") as being too liberal. Those extremists are eliminationists and protofascists like Von Brunn or those anti-immigration border watchers.
I wonder if we need a field guide to the various species of right-wingers. Sort of like the Audubon guide to birds for birdwatchers.
June 11, 2009 6:29 AM | Reply | Permalink
Natural law may be afoot here, Richardxx. A world view whose gears are oiled by the pseudo-concept of "winners and losers" is in crises due to the last election. Can Republicans easily acknowledge that they lost? It depends on the tidal pull of their weltanschungs, I suppose. "I can't be a loser, so I must not be a Republican. I know, I am an independent."
June 11, 2009 4:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
If your worldview is defined as "us" (white men) versus "them" (everyone else), then the 2008 election wasn't just disorienting, it was downright terrifying. A democratically elected Black president strips these dudes of their identity as "real Americans."
A Black President.
A Black Attorney General.
And now a Latina on the Supreme Court.
This is the ultimate nightmare for those erstwhile residents of Pleasantville.
June 11, 2009 4:38 PM | Reply | Permalink
I strongly disagree. It is the earstwhile residents of "Topeka" in "A Boy and his Dog." ;-)
June 11, 2009 5:40 PM | Reply | Permalink
the neo-cons and the left are working on the same team.
If I could make a suggestion - the next time you're standing in front of a mirror, introduce yourself to the clueless wonder you see before you.
"the left" as you so casually and as far as I can tell, ignorantly put it, is not represented in Congress, with the possible exception of Bernie Sanders (I-VT).
Or in the corporate boardrooms of the world.
Sheesh.
I should add that it is common knowledge that the President of Iran has very little power in comparison to that of the USA. The Supreme Council has the final word on any matter they wish to address. That's how it's been since 1979.
If you haven't been aware of that until recently - well, you can't blame that on anyone but yourself. Whether for failing to try to find out, or for swallowing whatever line you've been fed.
June 11, 2009 1:53 PM | Reply | Permalink
Republicans also consider Cheney to still be one of the key leaders of their party, but point taken about Democratic participation in most/all of America's shameful actions/strategies.
We are distracted by the common threat that would turn us into Mexico on its way to turning us into China.
June 10, 2009 10:15 PM | Reply | Permalink
how true...as long as they (and C. James Thomas) aren't the ones whose lives are at risk, or who will have to personally suffer the consequences which are certain to be severe and cause more violence, animosity, death and accelerated nuclear proliferation.
June 10, 2009 11:50 PM | Reply | Permalink
The civilizational war with Islam will terminate when either (1) the last drop of oil is extracted from the Muslim world; or (2) China represents a big enough "threat" to justify the over-sized spending on the military-industry complex.
June 11, 2009 4:42 PM | Reply | Permalink
RE: "Daniel Pipes, on the far right edge of neocondom, flatout says "I would vote for Ahmadinejad," so reports Daniel Luban in Inter Press Service (IPS).
SEE ALSO: "Hawks Push ‘Three-State Solution’ for Palestine", by Daniel Luban, 06/05/09
MY COMMENT: Pipes made his comment about preferring Ahmadinejad at a 'Heritage Foundation' event (sponsored by right-wing U.S. casino mogul Sheldon Adelson) at which neoconservatives and other foreign policy hawks called on Obama to scrap the two-state solution altogether and consider alternatives to Palestinian statehood.
SOURCE - http://original.antiwar.com/luban/2009/06/04/hawks-push-three-state-solution-for-palestine/
June 11, 2009 1:40 AM | Reply | Permalink
I agree. Neoconservative is a euphemism for fascist. Authoritarians cannot abide having no enemy to protect people from. No Ahmadinejad equals no Iranian nuclear threat equals no nemesis. Who would the neocons have to oppose? They'd have to invent an enemy. Oh wait ...
June 11, 2009 7:32 AM | Reply | Permalink
I think you’ll find that, in reality, Neoconservatism is both a home and an elegant euphemism for the international military industries who manufacture and distribute arms, military equipment and weapons of mass destruction to regimes around the world.
If you need a cluster bomb or a missile, 500kgs of white phosphorus, an F16 bomber/ missile launcher or tank – or another global conflict, just contact them c/o any Congressman or woman.
June 11, 2009 9:32 AM | Reply | Permalink
THE WRESTLERS
Starring Bibi Yahoo and Mad Mahmoud
Bibi Yahoo is a washed up professional wrestler who was a major star in the 1990s but is now years past his prime. His promoter proposes a rematch with his most notable opponent, Mad Mahmoud, who now owns a used car dealership in Theran. Their first match together sold out at the United Nations. Bibi Yahoo agrees to the rematch, hoping this high-profile match will get him back to the top in Israeli politics.
June 11, 2009 9:54 AM | Reply | Permalink
Hey I'm just waitin to watch that match! BTW Bibi changed his name to 'Benanjeri the Human Bufoon' a while back - thought it would give him a more macho label to disguise his hang-dog image. (He should ask for his 50 bucks back)
What are the odds anyhow? I mean, Mahmoud heads up over 70 million people with a GDP of maybe $200bn against a state one tenth its size and economy. It's an unfair match really - what's the word? Oh yeah - disproportionate.
I guess in the end its about who achieves hegemony. The nuclear bomb crowd or the oil people. Who wants to open a book on the answer in say 3 years time?
June 11, 2009 10:22 AM | Reply | Permalink
Actually, Israel's economy is about $165 billion GDP.
June 11, 2009 4:45 PM | Reply | Permalink
RE: "The New Republic's proprietor, Martin Peretz..."
MY COMMENT: I'm glad to see that you are showing Marty "Macho Man" Peretz proper respect! "Don't f*** with the Jews!"
June 11, 2009 4:06 PM | Reply | Permalink
PS. Do any women work at Mister Peretz's "New Republic"?
"Enquiring minds want to know."
June 11, 2009 4:17 PM | Reply | Permalink
TNR has always been an Ivy League boys club.
June 11, 2009 9:30 PM | Reply | Permalink
Michelle Cottle seems pretty darn female to me.
June 11, 2009 10:07 PM | Reply | Permalink
How much of that $165 Bn budget is from the U.S. ? $30 Bn That's a lot of shekels to spin out of American pockets to defend nuclear-equipped Israel from the scary Iran that really must be a terrible threat because there must be something else besides concentration camp victims in Gaza to defend from.
Of course, the CIA said no way twice recently re: Iranian nuke weapons program and Russia chortles at the gullibility of people who think they'd set up a nuke threat in their own backyard.
The schmucks here still don't know that yellowcake isn't fissile materiel ! Or that Plame was outed to keep Brewster-Jennings from exposing Cheney's B.S. about Iraq.
'Deja-vu all over again.'
Juan Cole has a piece up reaming out the stupidity of people who won't fact-check Dick. Come to think...so do I !
June 12, 2009 1:14 AM | Reply | Permalink
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