Posted on 11/25/2019 2:50:12 PM PST by SeekAndFind
Turmoil in Baghdad, paralysis in Beirut and flames of unrest in Tehran; it has been a bad few months for Iran at home and elsewhere in the Middle East, where more than a decade of advances are being slowed, not by manoeuvrings on battlefields or legislatures but the force of protest movements.
Early last week, Iran went dark for four days by closing its internet connections down. Even for the countrys autocratic leadership, this was a drastic step. But such are the stakes for a regime that is increasingly facing obstacles across its hubs of Shia influence. And those who laud Irans rise, as well as those who fear it, sense it is at a loss over how to respond.
The reaction to relentless anti-government protests in Iraq, which along with Lebanon is essential to Irans foreign projection, has so far been straight from a well-worn playbook. The initial weeks of the popular uprising were met with placatory speeches from Iraqi leaders, and a passive stance from security forces. But that changed in late-October and, since then, more than 300 people have been killed and thousands wounded as Iraqs leaders directed by Irans generals have changed tack.
Gone is any notion of compromise. Instead, the din of bullets, grenades and sirens have become a soundtrack to demonstrations in Baghdad demanding the overthrow of the entire political system. While the protests are aimed at domestic issues the insatiable graft of its leaders and widespread lack of opportunities for the young central to them the post-Saddam years have seen Iran embed itself in nearly all aspects of Iraqi governance.
Its role as overlord has also raised the protesters ire just as it has in Lebanon, where Irans most important arm of its foreign policy projection, Hezbollah,
(Excerpt) Read more at theguardian.com ...
Throw gas on their fire. Verbal is good enough.
I suspect the protests are based on economics.
The price of oil is down. Less income is coming in in the Middle East but everyday expenses are slowly rising.
Protests are pretty common around the world.
HOORAY humans!
Not exactly. Now the protesters are screaming that they don’t want to live under a Muslim government, and they’re hollering “Death to Khameni!”
I’m looking for a video I saw earlier today about these protests, but I can’t find it now.
Maybe one of my fellow Freepers can find it and post it.
Once again the leftist Guardian shows their total ignorance of Islam. Shias and Sunnis have been slaughtering each other for 1400 yrs and British colonial rule drawing borders only muddles up the picture.
I suspect most of the common people in all the countries dont want to live under a Muslim government.
You are right, but earlier today I saw a video of Iranian protesters screaming that they didn’t want to live under a Muslim government.
Wish I could find that video now.
The mullahs are constantly threatening America with EMP’s.
That’s projection, IMO. A couple of EMP pops over Teheran would decapitate their Basiji & IRG’s, and the revolution would be on.
Sounds like a good opportunity, like the one Obama passed on in 2009.
The price of oil is down even here left wing California.
Instead of the normal gas price increases for Thanksgiving. Some prices for regular gas have dropped at least 25 cents per gallon.
Prediction: the mullahs will be overthrown by the end of 2020.
The price of oil is down even here left wing California.
Instead of the normal gas price increases for Thanksgiving. Some prices for regular gas have dropped at least 25 cents per gallon.
When you get hit on the head constantly with a hammer, it feels so good when the taps get lighter.
I suspect the protests are based on economics.
40% unemployment and 40% inflation, plus tripling the cost of gasoline will get you that. Such a big change from getting billions in cash from Obama.
Shhh...the Brits knew what they were doing. They drew those lines to ensure infighting.
Its not a bug, its a feature.
bfl.
Hit me again and softer!
..................
Iran's President Hassan Rouhani, Russia's Vladimir Putin and Turkey's Tayyip Erdogan meet in Sochi, Russia November 22, 2017. (photo credit: SPUTNIK/MIKHAIL METZEL/KREMLIN VIA REUTERS) The Three Amigos
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.