I would prefer Iran as an ally over Saudi Arabia...

[kentuck]

...or just about any other Arab country in the Middle East.

As we have heard, countries do not have "friends", they have "interests".

I think it is in the interest of the US to be allied with Iran at this time. Since they have virtual control over the Baghdad government, they may need the US to help protect Baghdad from the ISIS forces in the future.

They were one of the biggest American allies before their revolution in 1978-79. Our CIA had been involved in Iran since at least the early fifties, with the overthrow of Mossadegh.

With the present chaos in the Middle East, it is probably to the benefit of all to have Iran as the balance of power in that area of the world?

The worst possible situation would be to have Iran in turmoil with the numerous other countries that are experiencing civil war at this time.

In my opinion, the Republicans have no idea what they are talking about.

[EdwardBernays]

1. Absolutely.

Our alliance with Saudi Arabia is poisonous.

It's one of the biggest mistakes we made as country. One of.

It's also completely toxic to our political process.

Iran is a natural ally. Wahabbists are not.

[cheapdate]

2. Agree.

[Odin2005]

3. Iranians have a long history as civilized and cultured people.

Saudi Arabia, on the other hand was founded by glorified Bedouin barbarians who just happened to control the Islamic holy cities in the Hejaz and got buddy-buddy with the UK and made rich off of oil.

And these barbarians have used their oil money to fund the proselytizing of their barbaric Wahhabi interpretation of Islam, which has lead to modern Islamic terrorism.

[Wellstone ruled]

4. Best honest post of the day.

Most highly educated country in the Mid East.

[Odin2005]

8. And even poor Iranians love literature.

I remember reading that even average uneducated working class stiffs in Iran can quote Rumi from memory.

[Wellstone ruled]

9. One of the worlds leader in Science and

Engineering. This scares the crap out of their neighbors who have kept their people ignorant.

[Dretownblues]

6. [phone]

Just want to add that they where enabled to become more and more fundematalist by the Regan Administration and have run with it ever since.

[moondust]

5. Maybe.

I'm wondering if Iran is starting to inch away from theocracy, or if they might drift away as relations improve with the West.

[JI7]

12. iranians have always had pride in their persian culture which is even greater

Than the power Islam has over them.

They are also very kind .

[hifiguy]

16. The Iranian people loved and were inspired by the US

until the Dulles Brothers overthrew Mossadegh on behalf of their friends/business associates at BP.

[JI7]

18. that is why iranian immigrants so easily blend in to the countries they move to

[madokie]

7. Without a doubt

[KG]

10. Iran = fake enemy

[darkangel218]

28. Well, Bibi considers them "enemy" , so we should too, by default.

[newblewtoo]

11. I believe

Iranians are Aryan and Saudi Arabians are Semitic. They both follow Islamic teaching but that is about the same as Christians being Catholics or Baptists in my book. Ike (and the CIA) is probably most responsible for farking up Iran back in 1953 for oil. Those unfamiliar with the coup may find this link an interesting

http://www.iranchamber.com/history/coup53/coup53p1.php

[Bluenorthwest]

13. Absolutely.

nt

[davidn3600]

14. Not sure I'd really trust being "friends" with any of these countries over there

Iran is a theocracy with a horrible human rights record that should not be overlooked.

[JI7]

17. yes, the religious ones are the problem. but the regular people and even much of the political

leadership wants a change.

[1939]

20. Most of the Iranians here in the US are not fundamentalists

They are Islamic, but want the secular life they enjoyed under the Shah

[JI7]

21. people in IRan would like a secular life also, but that doesn't mean they want the Shah

[hifiguy]

15. Agreed.

Read a book about that very topic by a former NY Times writer, maybe it was Steven Kinzer. He makes a good case. Iran was democratic once in its history and I predict it will be again within 20 years.

The KSA is the anus mundi in every way - worst country/government/religion/culture on the face of the planet and no, I am not forgetting about Kim Jun Cartman's North Korea.

[edhopper]

19. i think Iran is ripe for revolution

it's people are more open and would support a democracy.
But a Sadam like strong man could also emerge.

[lostnfound]

22. If it weren't for our oil interests in the 1950s they could have been. Nt

[ozone_man]

23. I think/hope the tide is turning.

We hear more and more of the the link between Saudi Arabia's extreme version of Islam and the connection to ISIS. Iran is the moderate force here, and as you point out, if we hadn't overthrown their popularly elected democracy in 1953 to install the Shah, they would probably like us a whole lot more. Just guessing.

[Stinky The Clown]

24. I agree with you, for most of the reasons already cited

Might a further thawing of our relationship be possible? I would very much rather them than the Bedouin Barbarians in Saudi Arabia, who use us as nothing more than their military muscle.

[rug]

25. Alliances are what led to WWI.

Governments can work on common interests, oppose each other on others.

[SusanCalvin]

26. YES. nt

[darkangel218]

27. Me too.

Have you watched Antoine Bourdain - Parts Unknown? He had a whole episode on Iran.

They're definitely not any worse than SA. I'm so glad the restrictions were lifted, innocent were suffering because of em.

[guillaumeb]

29. Great post and analysis. recommended

[HassleCat]

30. Before the religious nuts took over

Iran was pretty friendly with the United States. There were many Iranian students here for college. It's difficult to imagine now, but Iran was fairly secular, and women could drive cars, appear unescorted in public, listen to rock music, show their legs, etc. If we can thaw our relations with them, they might get back some of that.

[leveymg]

31. Why choose? Just let the Shiia majority secede in East Arabia where most of the oil is.

Last edited Tue Jan 19, 2016, 01:22 PM - Edit history (1)

Problem solved. The Saudi Royals can seek refuge in Monaco and London where they already own most of the top end real estate.

[craigmatic]

32. Yes we should be friendlier with them but don't forget that shias are the minority in the ME.

Getting too close to them is almost like having another Israel in that you're inviting the other countries in the area to hate you. The better idea would be to try to end the hostilities between them and the Saudis

[Kennah]

33. Ahmadinejad was a reaction to Dubya, and with him gone cooler heads prevail.

Not saying Iran doesn't have a lot of issues to resolve. Even Rouhani has said so. But I agree that Iran is a far better ally. Maybe I'm just allergic to monarchies.

[Oneironaut]

34. I like neither. Both are theocratic hell holes.

Saudi Arabia is probably worse, but the leadership of both is full of crazies. Iran in turmoil would be like opening Pandora's box, though.