”When the population of Iran rose up in widespread demonstrations after the mullahs stole the 2009 elections in Iran (The “Green Revolution”), French security launched coordinated raids on the offices of Iranian opposition groups in France, and seized their computers.”
This is what really motivated my rant about French influence. It seemed to me that this was a sudden turning point in the uprising, where the Guards suddenly had extensive by name rosters, and began arresting ringleaders by the hundreds per day - many were killed. Could just be coincidence, but it looked like a sellout to me. It seemed to me that Obama deliberately withheld support, but that the French Gov actively knifed them.
Really, I blame the left, rather than a country, for influence on what Iranians did in Iran. As you pointed out, lots of Iranians were US and UK educated. Khamenei attended university in the USSR.
I don’t know.... Green Revolution was primarily driven by islamic reformists of the current regime. Had little chance of succeeding. Some thought to use it as a platform for a more transformational change later. So long as hardline islamists exist in iran, even as minority, that transformation won’t happen. It requires a bigger more holistic change.
We shouldn’t discount the iranian intelligence agents. They are very well connected throughout the world, high & low places.
Actually many regime mullahs & their cohorts have investments & property in the U.S. & elsewhere. It’ll take real will & means to bring down their regime in iran. Things the west is not willing to implement nor has knowhow to do.
Mostly iran today needs a very strong, solid alternative leadership to rival the regime. It hasn’t surfaced yet. But in time the regime will go. It’s a very cyclical.
I noticed your name here. Do you’ve french heritage?
At the time, 2009, I was really hoping the “Green Revolution” would succeed. But as reports trickle in on the repression, I began to feel that perhaps Obama was wise not to meddle, because it would only cause more young people to emerge and get killed/imprisoned/identified. Since each year the dissatisfied youth population grows, waiting for the right time and leader seems logical. Meanwhile, after looking at Google, it appears alas that Khamenei while ill may not be on death’s door:
http://en.mediamass.net/people/ali-khamenei/deathhoax.html