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Iran Seethes Ahead of Revolution Anniversary

February 11 will test regime, international community

By Nick McMaster,  Newser Staff

Posted Feb 8, 2010 5:51 PM CST
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(Newser) – Feb. 11, the anniversary of the 1979 Islamic revolution in Iran, promises to bring tests for all parties with a hand in the nation's fate, writes Gerald Seib. Big marches traditionally herald the anniversary, and members of the opposition movement that has bloomed since last June's election will undoubtedly come out in big numbers. That's the test for Mahmoud "Ahmadinejad and his government, which will have to decide how hard to bring down their iron fist."

The international community faces its own test. New sanctions are under way, but China appears opposed, and the ability of the US to influence China is at a low point—can America's allies tip the scales in favor of action? Lastly, the Obama administration faces a test on its policy of engagement with the regime, and the challenge of "a new way of thinking about economic sanctions," Seib writes for the Wall Street Journal.

This photo, taken by an individual not employed by the Associated Press and obtained by the AP outside Iran shows Iranian protestors beating police officers, during anti-government protest in Tehran, Iran, Sunday, Dec. 27, 2009.
This photo, taken by an individual not employed by the Associated Press and obtained by the AP outside Iran shows Iranian protestors beating police officers, during anti-government protest in Tehran,...   (AP Photo)
This photo, shows an Iranian anti-riot police officer, center, held by protestors, as they put a green scarf, a symbolic color of opposition, on his head after their clash during anti-government protest at the Enqelab (Revolution) St. in Tehran, Iran, Sunday, Dec. 27, 2009.
This photo, shows an Iranian anti-riot police officer, center, held by protestors, as they put a green scarf, a symbolic color of opposition, on his head after their clash during anti-government protest...   (AP Photo)
This undated image courtesy of Paris-based Iranian film director Mohsen Makhmalbaf shows opposition leader Mir Hossein Mousavi, left with his nephew Ali Mousavi. The body of Ali Mousavi, slain in the deadliest day of anti-government protests in months in Iran on Sunday Dec. 27, 2009, disappeared from a Tehran hospital...
This undated image courtesy of Paris-based Iranian film director Mohsen Makhmalbaf shows opposition leader Mir Hossein Mousavi, left with his nephew Ali Mousavi. The body of Ali Mousavi, slain in the...   (AP Photo/Courtesy Mohsen Makhmalbaf)
This photo, taken by an individual not employed by the Associated Press and obtained by the AP outside Iran shows Iranian protestors beating police officers, during anti-government protest in Tehran, Iran, Sunday, Dec. 27, 2009.
This photo, taken by an individual not employed by the Associated Press and obtained by the AP outside Iran shows Iranian protestors beating police officers, during anti-government protest in Tehran,...   (AP Photo)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 18 comments
Ucantusethatname
Feb 9, 2010 12:16 PM CST
I am a dinner jacket has been thumbing his nose at the United States for too many years. We continue to bury our heads in sand and act as if Iran's nuclear capabilities are a myth. Is there no leadership in Washington? No sanctions? Can't we just get along won't work. Are we going to sit on our hands forever and hope that Israel takes out Iran's nukes?
polstroad
Feb 9, 2010 12:14 PM CST
on the other hand there is this: IRAN: As many as 3 million protesters anticipated at Thursday rally
njgreen
Feb 9, 2010 4:02 AM CST
Both Russia and China have been fighting dirty wars for years against Muslim radicals, from the Chechnyans to the Uighurs. Granted these radicals are Sunni, not Shiite as Iran is. But Sunni and Shiite have united before against common foes, and for this reason I guarantee you that one day, these radical elements will make both Russia and China extremely sorry that they ever aided the Islamic fundamentalist regime of Iran in gaining nuclear weapons. Sticking it to America is not worth the price they will end up paying.

 
Iran • United Nations • Tehran • Mahmoud Ahmadinejad • US foreign policy • sanctions • economic sanctions • foreign policy • international sanctions • Ayatollah Ali Khamenei • green revolution • Obama administration • Iranian election • Iranian protests

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