Friday
Feb122010
Today on EA (12 February 2010)
Friday, February 12, 2010 at 23:18 
Iran: So what happens on the day after 22 Bahman? And what does it all mean?We have three special reports and analyses this morning. Mr Verde sees the Regime's win yesterday as pyrrhic: "For any regime, especially one that claims to be a popular republic based on Islam, pointing TV cameras at the right-looking crowd while beating the “wrong crowd” with all its might, especially on the anniversary of its formation, is not a victory."
EA's Scott Lucas considers the political significance of yesterday's events, and concludes that, if President Ahmadinejad could be said to have won, then he "won ugly". EA correspondent Mr Azadi, who was in close contact with sources in Tehran throughout Thursday, gives a detailed summary from eyewitness accounts. We have also highlighted Pedestrian’s snapshot and compelling interpretation that any “defeat” for the opposition yesterday was a tactical miscalculation rather than the end of the challenge to the Government.
We now have two video specials: the claimed attack on Mehdi Karroubi and an 8+ minute clip, analysed in detail, during the President's speech in Azadi Square.
We have posted an ABC TV interview with internet activist Mehdi Saharkhiz (of "Only Mehdi" fame) and will continue to add to yesterday's video posts from Iran (set four can be viewed here), together with other TV coverage that has and will become available.
The regime's propaganda machine drones on about nukes, nukes and more nukes, trying to divert attention away from internal squabbles and human rights issues. We'll keep you updated on all the news our live weblog throughout the day.
Afghanistan: We've re-posted a special analysis from Nick Turse, writing for TomDispatch on the number of military bases in The Afghanistan Occupation - 700 Military Bases (and counting).
Reader Comments (3)
Very well said "ugly victory"....Even the years 80s and 90s you were not hearing us (due to lack of communication, unlike today where we have youtube and all these means to communicate to the outside world)...Even those years they were relying on such televised ugly victories, we were watching and could do nothing about it. What happened yesterday is an example of what has been happening all these years.
The Islamic Propaganda Office (Dafter Tablighate Eslami) supported by the conservative Heyat Motalefeh, is highly powerful and coordinated in organizing demonstrations, fundraising for certain outsider groups.
They have been doing a very good job over the past 3 decades.
The regime's problem is the opposition only has to win once while they have to win each and every time. There is no evidence the opposition is ready to throw in the towel and quit. The longer this goes on the worse the prospects are for the regime. I will admit they aren't going to leave tomorrow. But long term prospects are not good.
Wow. I've been reading your stuff for about a year now and this is basically the only sh*t I dont agree with. Give atleast a little credit where credit is due. Kobe got his ass kicked by this so called fluke. So what? Chill out. No one said the Rockets were the best team. ltegnd ltegnd - suprayouth.