Iran, The Snake in the Grass?
He sings a siren song of Muslim unity and power. He is the news media's new golden boy, smiling out from the cover of Time. He is the earnest, reasoned voice of the modern Muslim, speaking passionately in numerous Western television interviews. Handsome, well-groomed, articulate, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the charismatic President of Iran, is emerging as the new voice of Islam.
Smiling and confident, he portrays Iran as a modern country peacefully pursuing technological and economic growth, including nuclear power. He denies that Iran uses any of its vast oil and gas resources to fuel terrorism. He does not discuss the crushing theocracy that rules daily life in Iran. Instead, he points to carefully crafted outward trappings of democracy that hide the iron fist beneath the veil. He publicly distances Iran from the turmoil in the Middle East while privately providing guns and money to the terrorists who create it. Having for years worked to undermine any semblance of stability in the Middle East, Iran, through its President, is carefully positioning itself to become the Middle East's savior. The development of nuclear capability in Iran is not just for Iran but for ALL Muslims, says Ahmadinejad. Citing the Quran, Ahmadinejad says he speaks for all Muslims, that success in Iran is success for all.
Why? What does Iran hope to gain? Why only all of the Middle East! Ahmadinejad's dream is the recreation of the great days of ancient Persia when Iran was the center of the world and ruled a vast kingdom, including the entire Middle East. It's a nefarious plan, and it's working! First, create violence and terror to undermine an semblance of government and order. Maintain a physical and political aloofness from the turmoil while promoting the benefits and advantages of your country. Then offer a totally disillusioned, hopeless, and terrorized population it's only glimmer of hope. "Look at us. We are happy, prosperous, wealthy, working, respected by the world. Come join us and all this can be yours too." No matter that Iran worked years to cause the misery in which the people of the Middle East now live. They are tired, desperate, hungry, ground down by years of death and fear and misery. Why wouldn't they listen? Why wouldn't they follow? Like the Pied Piper of Hamlin, Ahmadinejad wants to lead the weary Middle East out of its current misery and into a new age. He may lure them with siren words of Islamic ascendancy, but it is ruthless Persian domination that he plans. Beware the snake in the grass.
Smiling and confident, he portrays Iran as a modern country peacefully pursuing technological and economic growth, including nuclear power. He denies that Iran uses any of its vast oil and gas resources to fuel terrorism. He does not discuss the crushing theocracy that rules daily life in Iran. Instead, he points to carefully crafted outward trappings of democracy that hide the iron fist beneath the veil. He publicly distances Iran from the turmoil in the Middle East while privately providing guns and money to the terrorists who create it. Having for years worked to undermine any semblance of stability in the Middle East, Iran, through its President, is carefully positioning itself to become the Middle East's savior. The development of nuclear capability in Iran is not just for Iran but for ALL Muslims, says Ahmadinejad. Citing the Quran, Ahmadinejad says he speaks for all Muslims, that success in Iran is success for all.
Why? What does Iran hope to gain? Why only all of the Middle East! Ahmadinejad's dream is the recreation of the great days of ancient Persia when Iran was the center of the world and ruled a vast kingdom, including the entire Middle East. It's a nefarious plan, and it's working! First, create violence and terror to undermine an semblance of government and order. Maintain a physical and political aloofness from the turmoil while promoting the benefits and advantages of your country. Then offer a totally disillusioned, hopeless, and terrorized population it's only glimmer of hope. "Look at us. We are happy, prosperous, wealthy, working, respected by the world. Come join us and all this can be yours too." No matter that Iran worked years to cause the misery in which the people of the Middle East now live. They are tired, desperate, hungry, ground down by years of death and fear and misery. Why wouldn't they listen? Why wouldn't they follow? Like the Pied Piper of Hamlin, Ahmadinejad wants to lead the weary Middle East out of its current misery and into a new age. He may lure them with siren words of Islamic ascendancy, but it is ruthless Persian domination that he plans. Beware the snake in the grass.
