The cultivation of Iran

I have been kind of political lately haven't I? I think that its a fall back maneuvre for me, to discusspolitics when I am homesick or feeling bored and thinking about other stuff than work. It lets me let mymind roam, and focus on things that honestly are moe important than the usual ramblings of how my day wentand what I did this week.

I notice that many of you do not comment on political posts I write, if this is because politics does not interest you, then so be it. But please, do not think that anyone who does comment, or I will berate you for you opinions. Because I, and my friends are now about that. We enjoy in-depth conversations on such topics ranging from national to international policy and hold each opinionindependently, and although we may disagree, we will give you reasons for our disagreement and hope thatyou too, will try and refute us. As humans, our most cherished possession shoudl be the ability to discuss opinions in an open environment.

So please do comment, and discuss with us, it adds flavour to the conversation if nothing else.

Now, on to the cultivation of Iran.

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Iran is an enigma. It always has been. It is a nation quite at odds with the rest of the muslim world, yetessentially at peace with them.

The cultivation of Iran began during the Cold War. And it has almost always been Russia that has been the catalyst to this change, whether it be through its support of Iraq against Iran, or its support of Iranitself.

Today, Iran finds itself in a stronger position than ever before. It has become a kingmaker. Its silentsupport of a governments is enough to keep it stabilised, its undercover support of insurgents and movements,is enough to keep them viable. It has attained a power (without the economic 'carrot', so to speak) that few other countries enjoy in the Middle East. It acts behind the scenes, it gets what it wants, when it wants. It has cultivated itself into a diplomat, one that execises different rules, sure, but a noteworthy diplomat no less.

Iran supports Hamas. Iran supports Hezbollah. Iran supports Bashar, President of Syria. Iran supports Musharraf, President of Pakistan. Iran has Russia and China in its pocket. It is a kingmaker and the jewelin others' crowns too. Russia and China need (stress) Iran on their side. It is a political power like noother in the Middle-east, able to exert influence far and wide, despite its fundamental differences with muslims in the region.

Russia has cultivated Iran into a diplomat. They have given it the buffer to do what it wants, and Iran hasthus, under the guise of the night sky, come of the forest running hard. It is an economic power with a population base as large as the whole Arabian peninsula, ten times over.

Now, at the cusp of nuclear power(though a disputed claim, but you will forgive me for being skeptical), it is in a position that has not been seen by a Middle East power since the reign of the Ottoman empire.

Today, the President of Iran no longer makes a speech in Farsi, bashing the US. He still bashes them, butnow the American people see him bashing them, with simultaneous translations.

Last year, Iran was in a position to elect a president who was, nay, is one of the 200 college students who stormed the US embassy in Tehran and held American hostage for a year. He was one of these people, there is documented proof. The Taliban did not want the US to build a pipeline in their country and look what the US did to them. Hugo Chavez held up pictures of dead babies and embarassed the Us for its war tactics in Afghanistan, and the US supported a coup against him, which actually saw him deposed from power for two days. America can do a lot, but it cannot touch Iran. Not even if its President is a known criminal, a person who the US is looking to nab and bring to trial. This is the power of Iran, today.

Iran is getting global exposure. While India might be winning poltical allies due to its burgeoning economics, Iran has charted a territory few have bene successfull at, becoming a world power on the backs of Russia and China. it has used the fringe to bring itself out of the fringe. Name one other country that can boast of this amazing claim. There are none.

Iran is democratic. Iran is getting educated. Iran is populous. Iran is recruiting allies. Iran has the support of almost all muslim insurgents anywhere in the world. It has helped them, and they in turn willhelp Iran if push ever comes to shove. Iran is militarily capable of war. Iran, in fact, has a standingof 13 million soldiers, about 6 million of them located in bases along the Iran-Iraq border.

No wonder America wants to talk. they missed the boat. They kept haranguing them, and Iran walked to theother side of the aisle, making friends where people more friendly.

Now, American wants to talk. It wants to discuss Iraq. Where no opinion was solicited before, now help is being seeked. Where there was no dialogue before, now, not only is the US recognising Iran's influence, but wants to enter negotiations to come to a mutual agreement on how to exert that influence.

The cultivation of Iran has borne fruit. In Farsi, there is a saying that says; Sow seeds on your fields every season, even if it does not rain- sooner or later, the wind will change direction. The day it brings you rain, you will have no one to thank but yourself. I think it was a good idea for the Russians and the Chinese to learn Farsi early in the game.