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February 14th, 2011
11:24 PM ET
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The Iranian public is more deeply divided than any of the sides in the political struggle there would care to admit. It is not simply a matter of a "regime" vs. "the people" but of people vs. people and one faction simply has more control over the means of violence. If the so-called opposition were to completely take over the levers of power tomorrow you can be sure that the day after that they would most likely be greeted by protests from those who are ideologically opposed to them. Iranian conservatives are more numerous than even many liberal/secular Iranians would like to believe.
Presenting this struggle for dominance as People vs. Government is myopic and misleading.
Iran is divided, polarized and no faction is willing to concede the possibility that they don't speak for the entirety of "the people" much less that it is impossible for anyone in Iran to speak for the whole people.
Why is America so critical about Iran? Why intruding into affairs of another sovereign state else where? I guess the WMD accusation has failed and Iran is still strong. What is the major different between Iran and Libya intends of leadership style but unfortunately you guys don't ignite fire of change and chaos because there is extraction or natural resources in Libya Or maybe you guys are still angry about shah defeat 0f 1970s, Please, leave countries alone to decide what is right for them. Stop policing a world you spoiled already.
In the time to come we have to accept the notion of democracy by the Arab states may not be our ideas.
There cannot just be one type of democracy. It must be a large tent with room for all
Regardless what the wishes of the West It must not be forgotten it must be the Iranian peoples actions all the wast can do is cheer The price will be paid in blood by the Iranians
I do agree the other countries will follow Egypt.The middle east is getting worse in many ways for the US. Mae from Ohio