Iran's President Mahmoud Amadinejad has looked into his crystal ball and seen his ideal future for the world. What is it? I thought you might ask:
Back in June, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad gave an impassioned monologue about his country's future.Ahmadinejad spoke of Iran's aspirations to become an Islamic hub for science and technology, of Muslim views on justice and independence, and of the West's "double standards" in dealing with countries such as his.
OooKaay. Is this 'Muslim views on justice'? 'Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, said "Those who benefit from the pope's comments and drive their own arrogant policies should be targeted with attacks and protests". And would that science and technology be nuclear??? Hmmm?
In the Middle East, it [Iran] is seeking to reassert its historical role as a power and counterweight to U.S.-backed governments in neighboring Iraq and Afghanistan. Around the Muslim world, meanwhile, Ahmadinejad tirelessly promotes an image of Iran as the 21st-century model for Islamic progress, pride and piety."This is why the nuclear issue is so vital to Iran. Because, in reality, it symbolizes much more than just nuclear power," said Davoud Hermidas Bavand, a Tehran-based political analyst.
So Ahmadinejad sees Iran as a super dooper power in the Middle East, even bigger than the super powers of the West. It's a 'mine is bigger than yours' kind of future.
. . . one aim: to position itself as a regional heavyweight that can no longer be sidelined by the West. . . . "The strategic map of the Middle East is being redrawn. And a lot of it at the moment is going in Iran's favor," said Nasser Hadian, a political affairs analyst at Tehran University.For many Iranians, it's simply the natural order being restored.
Iran's arm in Palestine, Hamas, and Iran's arm in Lebanon and Syria, Hezbollah are supporting Iran's rise and giving new hope to Amhmadinejad's desire for Israel to be removed from the map and Palestinians to move in.
Iranians view themselves as the historical center of gravity for the region — in a legacy extending back to the Persian Empire. Alaska-sized Iran, with nearly 70 million people, is the world's most populous Shiite country and about twice as big as Turkey or Egypt. . . ."A country that possesses technology to enrich uranium and produce nuclear fuel is considered a modern state. It gives prestige and higher image to our country," said Vahid Haghi, a political analyst who writes for the conservative Rah-e-Mardom newspaper.
In speeches to Muslims around the world, Ahmadinejad has described the nuclear showdown as a test of wills for all Islamic nations. His calls for Israel's destruction have hardened the resolve of Washington and its allies to deny Iran nuclear arms, but have made him a champion among hard-line Muslims.
"He's seen by many as a kind of Iranian version of Robin Hood,"
There are those who say 'the downfall of two Iranian foes — the Taliban and Saddam Hussein — allowed Iran to rebuild its powerful links to fellow Shiite Muslims in Iraq and Afghanistan. Maybe the Taliban and Saddam were counter balances of sorts, but they had to go.
While Ahmadinejad in in the United States, speaking at the United Nations, there will be protests outside:
Jewish and Iranian-American groups plan a rally outside the United Nations tomorrow to call for the ouster of Iran's hard-line president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad."Our purpose is to send the message, in the presence of all the leaders of the world, that [Ahmadinejad's] goal is to destroy Israel and to threaten America, and that Iran is the leading sponsor of global terror," said Malcolm Hoenlein, vice chairman of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations. source
If Ahmadinejad just wants to look like a big shot, a player on the world scene, can't we figure out some way he can do that without nukes? No, I didn't think so. It is a matter of pride for him now. Ahmadinejad must 'save face' and not back down to the west. He's not going to blink!
__________________________________________________________________
Linked with bRight&Early, First Cup
Comments