Iraniangirl,
I hope that our countries can come to friendly terms. All we ask is that your government repect human rights and does not sponsor terrorism. The US is not looking to make a world wide empire, just to fullfill it's prime responsibility of protecting it's citizens and their rights.

Thanks for your post; it's great that you're part of "winds of change." Some questions - revealing my ignorance about Iran:

1)"last months of their leading": are you saying that current terms of the President and/or parliament members are about to expire? How did that affect their +/- neutral policy towards the US-Iraq war? Is this "demonstration" trying to have it both ways a little, or is it a sign of changing policies?

2)What do you think the true level of opposition to the war in Iraq is among Iranians? 10%? 30? 50%?

I think that Iran will have to stop sponsoring Hezbollah to get to good terms with the U.S. I hope that people like yourself will vote for moderate leaders who can end Hezbollah support, and that the US can prevail upon Israel and Palestinians to implement a viable 2-state solution there.

I've been watching events in Iran unfold for 20 years now. I agree with Craig on what is desireable. I'm not sure how things are going to actually happen.

In the summer of '89, I saw Khamenei as a reformist. It occurs to me that he may see himself in the same role as Deng Xiao Ping. To my eye (as an uneducated outsider), it seems that he controls the tempo of reform. If you disagree, please educate me.

The questions I see now regard Khamenei's power and the pace of reform.

To what extent is Khamenei's power undercut or opposed by hardliners?
Does he still have the ability to raise the tempo if appropriate?
Is his position secure against the hardliners?

I wish more American's knew Iranian and Iraqi people personaly, and more of you knew Americans personaly. Our governments want our countries to hate each other, but that only works in ignorance. When we know each other personaly as friends we won't hate each other's countries.
I saw pictures of Iranian women shopping on Iraniangirl's blog. One looked just like my co workers wife, exactly like her. Kind of hard to hate someone who is JUST LIKE ME. Salem Pax.

I'd like to meet Salam Pax some day.
I hope he hasn't been caught.

I've travelled a bit, mostly by myself. I've met a lot of interesting people.

Local customs (particularly food) differ from culture to culture. Some basics remain, though. Hospitality, kindness, civility. Most people will return a smile or a nod.

Just as most genetic variation is local (between individuals rather than racial groups), social variation seems to be local.

This perspective actually plays a major part in my support of action to remove Saddam. Brutal murderers are basically the same wherever they are. It doesn't matter whether their name is Adolf Hitler, Josef Stalin, Saddam Hussein, Pol Pot or Robert Mugabe. They have chosen the path of rule by fear.

I grew up hearing echoes of my mother's words, "The missiles might already be on their way here."

This is not acceptable.

Much better to live a life where people can experience the many joys of life and human interaction.

You've got it, Chuck Pelto.

Let's consider the USA, the enemy(1) of Ayatollahs; Iraq, their enemy(2).

Now let's start playing:
1. The enemy(1) of my enemy(2) is my enemy(1).
2. The enemy(2) of my enemy(1) is my enemy(2).
3. The enemy(1) of my enemy(2) of my enemy(1) is my enemy(2).
4. The enemy(2) of my enemy(1) of my enemy(2) is my enemy(1).

This is exactly one of Ayatollahs' characteristics. We call them "machine doshman-tarashi": "Enemy-making machines." In an Ayatollah's point of view, whoever does not agree with him is the enemy, call it Iraq, USA, or...the Iranian people!

Intersting! Enemy-making machines! that is exactly true...
And I just hope that you don't confuse government's enemy & people's enemy in my note.

Well thanks for your comments. However, I couldn't believe what I read. You are Iranian and should know why we really hate the US government for. I agree with the fact that we have no problem with American people. As a matter of fact three of my best friends are americans. The problem is the government and their foreign policies. Who do you think has given the Iraqi invaders those weapons of mass destruction, chemical & biological war heads, T-series Tanks, cruise missiles and....... Who do you think supported Iraq financially and politically during the 8-year war, who do you think blastet the Iranian Airbus A300 above the persian gulf to make iran agree with the terms and conditions of the UN resolution 597. These are the real reasons why most people that can remember the days of war and have been affected by it hate US and british governments. Do not think that I say these things because I really am in love with the current crap Iranian "Islamic" government. I am against them as well but this fact does not compromise my feelings about US government. They know what they gave to Saddam and now they want it back. Its as simple as this. Just pray for a swift end to this conflict.
good luck

Navid would have us live in the past, only, JUST LIKE the ayatollahs, to the detriment of trying to move forward in a positive way. What a shame that he should take that point and stay there!

Actually Navid...

The Russians gave Iraq the T-Series tanks (these are Russian made and designed not U.S (go google for Iraq Tanks)). The Iraq's don't have Cruise missiles; they use derivates of missiles given to them by the French and the Russians (See: http://www.iraqwatch.org/wmd/missile.html for more info). The Iraq planes are mostly French (Mirage jets and some Mig's) Iraq does have two Bell 'copters which are U.S).

The Iraq's use Russian made Ak47's as their primary small arm.
I’ve not been able to find out who made the artillery that they are using, nor the combat vehicles. The communications setup they are using is mostly German and French from what I’ve been able to find.

The thing I don't understand is why, if Russia has given such arms to the Iraq military (that have in turn used it against Iran) That Iran and Russia are so close....

Regardless, the U.S has not given Iraq the weapons they are using. I’ve seen reports that the U.S supported Iraq in the Iran-Iraq war (but then I also seem to remember the U.S fighting both back in ’88 when the airliner was shot down). In either case, The Russians and French have supplied much of the materials that Iraq used against Iran, it’s own people and now the U.S.

I keep reading conflicting things on Iran. On the one hand, I see Western reports saying the current leader is a reformer, but then I read Iranian (mostly ex-pat’s) saying he’s not… I’d be curious to learn more on this.

To Tadghe...
Khatami is the best of the bad options we had. I mean, although what he does is not completely in consistence with what the people of Iran want, he is doing his best to satisfy our national interests, but he is still the president of that Islamic regime and thus in agreement with its existence and laws.
The expatriots, that are very much impressed by their political affiliations, say that he is not what the people need.
The Western media consider him as a moderate politician, who is, after all, elected by the majority of the voters of that country.
I believe he is the best choice possible to be the president of Iran, although he's failed to fully satisfy people's needs.

My admittedly incomplete understanding as an outsider is that Khatami was popularly elected, but all the election candidates have to be approved by advisory councils before getting on the ballot, and the councils are dominated by the conservatives among the mullahs. Even with that approval of Khatami and his great popular support when elected, the conservatives have blocked any real reform, and the low voter turnout in the recent elections could indicate that the people have despaired of change occuring within the current system. The conservatives were happy with the large gains they made in the most recent elections, but the reformers have warned that it is an indication of growing discontent, not less.

Khamenei's title of "Supreme Leader" isn't for show. He has control over most of the important instruments of state power, such as the military, internal security, etc. He was elected by the other elder mullahs when Ayatollah Khomeini died, not by the people. Hence, the system is closer to a dictatorship by the religious than a democracy or republic, though there are elections for the Iranian version of a parlament. The "true" holders of power are answerable only to each other, not to the Iranian people, since they were not popularly elected, and hence their decision-making appears directed towards whatever will keep them in power, rather than the greater benefit of the Iranian populace.

Anyway, that's my understanding of the Iranian political landscape as it stands today.

My parents travelled in Iran for their honeymoon back in the days of the Shah. They said that the Iranians were the friendliest of all the peoples they had encountered anywhere in the world.

It's such an amazing place to contemplate. Over 3,500 years of history. Greece, Rome, Islam: all these things arose when Persia was already ancient and timeless.

I remember that in America in the 1980s we used to consider Iran the world's crazy people - Ayatollah Khomanei was always a good caricature, wearing a headdress, yelling about the 'Great Satan', and putting edicts of death on people. Terrorists were always thought of as 'Iranians'. (Well, sometimes Libyans.)

During the 1998 World Cup the USA played first-round matches against Iran - both sides went to some effort to present flowers and gifts to each other as tokens of respect.

As we have noticed Iraq lately, it has been interesting to see other Americans' opinions towards Iran change. Now that we know (and are paying attention to) the inhuman conditions to which Saddam Hussein has subjected the Iraqis, the general opinion in the US has become "oh, the Iranians are probably just like the Iraqis - nice people who are crushed by a barbaric government".

I fondly hope that Iran shakes off its modern chains and rejoins the civilized world once more. Places like Saudi Arabia or Yemen have been a deserted wasteland forever. But the Persians are an educated and honorable people - and deserve better than what they're presently stuck with.

I opened eyes to the world when the restless society of Iran was about to make a big change in its direction(1977)...change was much faster than anyone could imagine what happens next.

...And then came a bitter war(1980) that disrupted my childhood fantasies with shadows of the Iraqi Mig aircrafts and Scud missiles...
Our beautiful house and city were destroyed ....Now eight years of fear & nerviousness of war has passed, but the religious fascism is still strong.

Most Persians have some kind of hate on the arabs somewhere hidden in their hearts and that goes back to 1400 years ago when arabs savagely destroyed Persian empire n plundered its ancient heritage.
The regime of today Iran finds its roots in those bitter episode of our history. empasizing on arabic words and myths and ignoring our national values are vivid examples.

In my childhood days I never knew why we were forced to show hate on the USA as a great enemy of us unit I read the book "Animal Farm" by George Orvel...
Strangely the book was telling the same story as was going on in front of my eyes all these years.

In the university I found myself among young talented mates open-minded but empty-handed with hearts longing for freedom and love, The generation that wants to feel the world differently from what their not-so-innocent Moms and Dads imposed on them.

This generation feels to be left alone in this struggle and disperately seeks a helping hand.
This generation doesn't want to pay the price of other's stupidity.
Yes...we want to put the past behind and say HELLO to a peacefull world...

u said that there might be a solution to the conflict in israel but untill hardline groups like the hamas are eliminated or disbanded there is no way there can be peace. the governments of the local arab states have to set aside thier differences with israel and work with them to create a seperate state for palestinians and to get rid of hardline terrorists. without those there will not be peace.

the aim of these hardline groups is the destruction of israel.
the arab states know this yet they continue to support ani-israeli terrorist groups. in 1948 there were 2 separate israeli and palestinian states. yet the palestinias believed they had a right to all of the land. now that they lost all the wars in the area they want israel to hand over the land. they started this conflict now they are the ones who must end it.
as i said before with hardline terrorist groups still in place there will be no peace.

egypt got it right they saw there was more profit in becoming a friend with israel and look at them now. they are prosperring. although stilll poor they are better off now than they were 30 years ago. they now have the support of the US and israel.

also the iraq war was a good idea but only if USA really have the iraqi people at heart. if they are there for thier profit then this is good. if not they should leave immediatly. when i support the war i only do so because if the US and other rich nations help rebuild iraq iraq could become a first world country and could lower poverty in the country. Iraq was well off untill saddam came along and started making war on everyone. hopefully this is the war to end the conflict in and over Iraq and has put iraq on the road to recovery.

tadghe the combat vehicles used by iraq are primarily russian. they use BMP AIFV's which are russian. alot of the artillery they use is european such as the GHN 45 which is austrian. they also use alot of russian AA/sp/artillery (sp= self proppelled) such as the 2S1's and 3's. they use the ZSU 23/4

tadghe the combat vehicles used by iraq are primarily russian. they use BMP AIFV's which are russian. alot of the artillery they use is european such as the GHN 45 which is austrian. they also use alot of russian AA/sp/artillery (sp= self proppelled) such as the 2S1's and 3's. they use the ZSU 23/4

tadghe u are right the US did help iraq in the Iran-Iraq. when the shah was pushed from power they wanted to attack but did not and saw iraqs war as a way to retaliate for thier friend losing power. the US liked the Shah because he gave the US large amounts of oil.

iranians hate arabs, the most,...............
why?
obvious reason,for 1400 yrs of trouble they caused us,which we stil having with IR government.

i never could be freind with an arab,cuz the first thing is coming to my mind when i c one, is haterd,..........