Thank you for the clarification. I for one view it as proposterous to question why someone writes about “dysfunctional government.” It was so proposterous I was left with the thought something was read into the post that was not intended. I 100% agree with your frustration over the focus on the “nuke” issue. If only the the leaders in the West would get it through their heads that the only real solution is by returning the power to the people of Iran. Dealing with the coup leaders at best may delay the issue not solve it.

Thx
Bill

Thank you for clarifying. My post yesterday was prompted not by irritation but by the important challenge put in your original post. As always, your comment was valuable and thought-provoking.

My own position is that Ahmadinejad and others in regime are trying to get a nuclear deal to establish legitimacy, sweeping aside any challenge based on concern over internal developments. Indeed, I think that is a much greater danger than nuclear weapons capability, as I am sceptical that Iran is close to that goal (presuming the regime is pursuing it.) So, by no means, would I ever pursue a nuclear-first analysis ignoring the other issues that you rightly raise and continue to raise.

Scott

“I am not sure why we are consumed and analyze every word (official or unofficial) by every member of this dysfunctional government.”

I wrote the above words. Perhaps I did not make myself clear and I would like to try again.

I wrote those words in reference to nuclear issue ONLY. I was challenging our preoccupation with nuclear issue at the expense of horrific carnage that is unfolding in Iran right now.

As members of human race we cannot underestimate the danger of nuclear capability in the hands of legally insane people like those in Iran regime. Similarly, we should not underestimate the clear and present danger millions of Iranians are faced with right now. I, therefore, challenge us to scrutinize and analyze other crimes of this dysfunctional government with more intensity.

I respect your work and appreciate the attention you are giving to democracy movement in Iran immensely. Your blog is monitored by Iran pathetic government. It would be great if they see their scheme to divert world’s attention from their atrocities against defenseless people in Iran via their daily rambling on nuclear front is not working. In my humble view this can be accomplished by dismissing daily disjointed remarks of IRI brain-dead people on nuclear negotiation. I, however, recognize this is your blog and I am only one of your readers.

All too often even thoughtful policy types choose not to listen to anything coming from Iran, in favor of pre-canned conclusions from “other sources.” Once Hillary Clinton bought the line that Iran supposedly “rejected” the IAEA deal, then eyes go quite shut as to the considerable nuances still present, of concerns raised not just by hardliners, but especially by the reformist opposition. (the side we’re instructed by various players in the US to get on the “side of history” and back)

Curious too that we’re getting precious little attention via “other sources” to Mottaki’s interview with The Hindu last week, nor the very interesting statements made via the new for min. spokesperson. (e.g., re Iran wanting “100% guarantees” to implement the IAEA deal) If one were only following “hackman” et. al., you’d have no idea.

Ah, but it’s so much easier for those on the outside (especially with this or that opposition group) to simply brand IRI as “opaque” or “dysfunctional.” Great short-hand. (It’s also ironic too, as some of the very same “sources” can flip to the refrain of IRI as “totalitarian” — which would be something other than riven by factions…. )

As a thought, might we say the same thing about disarray presently so evident in Washington? Current administration “boldly” declares it doesn’t wish to see more settlements in Israel, but they continue anyway, and as the various “usual suspects” in Washington duke it out, statements of concern get transmogrified into well, we’re seeing “progress” (in theory), and ain’t it grand that they’re offering to reduce settlements, if, if, if….. Same ole’ song & dance, the tail still wags the dog. Gee, and Abbas now says the US government is doing nothing real. (dysfunctional anyone?)

Bottom line, we do follow the actual substance of the very lively and serious debates inside Iran not as evidence of “dysfunction” but because the debates, the consensus views that very often from them, are indicative of policy views and preferences that very much will “matter” to the outside world.