Comments on: Iran Extends Olive Branch?

By: Phillip J. Birmingham

Phillip J. Birmingham — Tue, 30 May 2006 18:33:18 +0000

Who knows, maybe it wont turn out to be false after all.

Hope springs eternal, huh?

By: Jimmy the Dhimmi

Jimmy the Dhimmi — Tue, 30 May 2006 17:47:23 +0000

The law that was being considered by the Iranian parliament was about a mandatory, universal islamic dress code for Muslim men and women. This story turns out to be true.

However, what remains to be seen is, if a Jew or Christian decided to wear the same “uniform” as a muslim would wear after the law is passed, would the Jew or Christian have to distinguish himself with the traditional zunar? This was the origin of the badge-rumor. Who knows, maybe it wont turn out to be false after all.

By: Pooh

Pooh — Tue, 30 May 2006 17:30:11 +0000

My question is, what options does negotiating take off the table for a later time? Krauthammer’s rather bizarre Admiral Ackbar take (”It’s a TRAP!”) aside what is the opportunity cost of talking? We can still make appropriate plans, increase readiness to a degree, gather intelligence while talking, right? Of course if ‘regime-change’ is the underlying goal, those things might seen as bugs, not features.

By: Justin Gardner

Justin Gardner — Tue, 30 May 2006 15:52:57 +0000

It was Taheri who spread that story about Jews and Christians in Iran being compelled to wear identity badges, which turned out to be false.

Well, there ya go. It doesn’t mean he’s not right about Iran, but he’s certainly hurt his credibility.

By: amba

amba — Tue, 30 May 2006 15:05:43 +0000

It was Taheri who spread that story about Jews and Christians in Iran being compelled to wear identity badges, which turned out to be false.

By: amba

amba — Tue, 30 May 2006 15:02:50 +0000

Don't be too sure. Read this, and follow the link to read this: what Iranian emigre journalist Amir Taheri says about Iran's long-term strategy. The New York Times seems naÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¯ve and oblivious. The patient strategy includes: waiting out the term of George W. Bush, whom the Iranians regard as unusually belligerent -- most U.S. presidents, faced with challenges and setbacks, will "run away" pretending to temporarily suspend uranium enrichment and hypocritically signing additional protocols of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (thus deterring sanctions) On the other hand, Ali Eteraz says Amir Taheri needs to be taken with a grain of salt. Draw your own conclusions.