>Published on Monday, June 29, 2009 by CommonDreams.org
>www.commondreams.org/view/2009/06/28-10
>
>Iran and Leftist Confusion
>
>
>
>by Reese Erlich
>
>When I returned from covering the Iranian elections recently, I was
>surprised to find my email box filled with progressive authors, academics
>and bloggers bending themselves into knots about the current crisis in
>Iran. They cite the long history of U.S. interference in Iran and conclude
>that the current unrest there must be sponsored or manipulated by the Empire.
>
>That comes as quite a shock to those risking their lives daily on the
>streets of major Iranian cities fighting for political, social and
>economic justice.
>
>Some of these authors have even cited my book, The Iran Agenda, as a
>source to prove U.S. meddling. Whoa there, pardner. Now we're getting personal.
>
>The large majority of American people, particularly leftists and
>progressives, are sympathetic to the demonstrators in Iran, oppose Iranian
>government repression and also oppose any U.S. military or political
>interference in that country. But a small and vocal number of progressives
>are questioning that view, including authors writing for Monthly Review
>online, Foreign Policy Journal, and prominent academics such as retired
>professor James Petras.
>
>They mostly argue by analogy. They correctly cite numerous examples of CIA
>efforts to overthrow governments, sometimes by manipulating mass
>demonstrations. But past practice is no proof that it's happening in this
>particular case. Frankly, the multi-class character of the most recent
>demonstrations, which arose quickly and spontaneously, were beyond the
>control of the reformist leaders in Iran, let alone the CIA.
>
>Let's assume for the moment that the U.S. was trying to secretly
>manipulate the demonstrations for its own purposes. Did it succeed? Or
>were the protests reflecting 30 years of cumulative anger at a reactionary
>system that oppresses workers, women, and ethnic minorities, indeed the
>vast majority of Iranians? Is President Mahmood Ahmadinejad a
>"nationalist-populist," as claimed by some, and therefore an ally against
>U.S. domination around the world? Or is he a repressive, authoritarian
>leader who actually hurts the struggle against U.S. hegemony?
>
>Let's take a look. But first a quick note.
(continued----for the full article, go to <http://www.commondreams.org/view/2009/06/28-10>www<http://www.commondreams.org/view/2009/06/28-10>.commondreams.org/view/2009/06/28-10 I tried to post it, but it exceeded the word limit. -- Joanne Landy
Freelance foreign correspondent Reese Erlich covered the recent elections in Iran and their aftermath. He is the author of <http://p3books.com/theiranagenda/>The Iran Agenda: the Real Story of U.S. Policy and the Middle East Crisis. (Polipoint Press)