Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Unintended Consequences
It has occurred to me that perhaps the current situation in Iran is a result of unintended consequences of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Both nations have thrown off dictatorial leadership with the aid of the United States and both nations have held internationally recognized free elections. Iraq in particular has come together with a functioning government, whether it ends up being a competent government remains to be seen, but it appears to be functioning for the benefit of Iraqi citizens, including Shiite, Sunni, and Kurds. So why are the Iranians up in arms now? Certainly they have put up with sham elections in the past. I think an important factor is that the Iranian people have seen these free and valid elections in neighboring countries and the Iranian people have decided that the deserve such elections as well. Whether the current protests produce immediate change or not, the status quo in Iran has changed. The trend toward more free and open elections is inevitable, if not now, then in the future. I don't think any leader, Republican or Democrat, foresaw changes in Iran as a consequence of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The war in Iraq was indeed unpopular, but it is pushing Iran toward a more open democracy, something akin to Turkey perhaps. The current situation is suggesting that 'unpopular' does not necessarily mean 'wrong'.
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4 comments:
I am hoping you are right...because if not, chances are that it will go completely the opposite direction and the dictatorship will be even more impowered and ruthless than before.
I've got to agree with Alan on this one. Iran will change, if not in this election it will be the next. The people will not tolerate too much more brutality and eventually will take control. The example set by the surrounding countries speaks loudly to the Iranian people.
I agree with Alan and Kim. Something is on the move in Iran that cannot be stopped. It may go slowly but at the end the people will win. The Iranians want to be free but as freedom is never free and they may go through hard times before it happens. M
So if these important countries are changing and becoming more democratic, does that mean that the naysayers to the Bush Administration policy of continuing the war correct and justified? It seems that if so, those who spoke out AGAINST the Bush foriegn policy need to apologize and admit that they may have been wrong...if it is true that Iran becomes more democratic also. Just a thought.
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