Rarely in modern history have there been figures who, like Mahmood Ahmadinejad, have managed to fabricate countless fairy tales, insult millions of people, defy the so-called most powerful international body in the world, laugh in the face of America, pose a serious threat to peace and stability, and get away with it all. It seems no matter how low or how provocative the man becomes, the world refuses to do a thing about it. Mahmood even manages to win a few friends in the process.
Perhaps his most notable feat was accomplished just recently, culminating in the release of the British sailors. Ahmadinejad knew full well that the British would do little more than talk big. I seriously wonder whether the 15 men (including 1 woman) would have been arrested/captured had they been American troops. Then again, given his unpredictability, he might as well have. Either way, it was a serious plus point for Iran that they were British.
The way Ahmadinejad and the rest of the Iranian leadership dealt with the situation was incredibly belligerent, offensive and menacing. And yet, the Iranians scored a major political victory, making the British lose face and appear weak. Not only were "confessions" and "apologies" aired, but Ahmadinejad managed to make it seem as though it was the British who were being arrogant in maintaing they did nothing wrong, while Iran was essentially doing the exact same thing in saying they had every right to arrest the crew. Furthermore, upon releasing the soldiers, Mahmood made it seem as though it was a personal gift to the British. "We have every right to put these people on trial," Mr Ahmadinejad asserted. "But I want to give them as a present to the British people to say they are all free." The occasion? Prophet Muhammad's birthday, the Easter holiday and perhaps even Persian New Year.
Naturally Ahmadinejad was clever enough to give the sailors the absolute best treatment possible in captivity. He can now show the 'stark contrast' between how poor the West treats her Muslim captives versus how benevolently the Iranians treat their Christian prisoners. Of course the apparently wonderful treatment bestowed upon the British is the complete opposite of how the regime treats any Iranian dissidents. But that is not for the outside world to see, as it would hurt the propaganda machine (yes you skeptical reader you; not only the USA has a smoothly flowing propaganda engine). Iran comes out as the more saintly party, which will only further boost her image, particularly in the Muslim world.
After having the heat of the world turned on Iran for the nuclear issue, the arrest of the sailors and the Iranian insistence that they face trail seemed to be enough material to isolate Iran completely. But just two weeks later, nobody is talking about the nuclear standoff and Ahmadinejad is seen smiling and chatting with 15 highly apologetic British servicemen. Could it have gone any better for the Iranians?
Perhaps his most notable feat was accomplished just recently, culminating in the release of the British sailors. Ahmadinejad knew full well that the British would do little more than talk big. I seriously wonder whether the 15 men (including 1 woman) would have been arrested/captured had they been American troops. Then again, given his unpredictability, he might as well have. Either way, it was a serious plus point for Iran that they were British.
The way Ahmadinejad and the rest of the Iranian leadership dealt with the situation was incredibly belligerent, offensive and menacing. And yet, the Iranians scored a major political victory, making the British lose face and appear weak. Not only were "confessions" and "apologies" aired, but Ahmadinejad managed to make it seem as though it was the British who were being arrogant in maintaing they did nothing wrong, while Iran was essentially doing the exact same thing in saying they had every right to arrest the crew. Furthermore, upon releasing the soldiers, Mahmood made it seem as though it was a personal gift to the British. "We have every right to put these people on trial," Mr Ahmadinejad asserted. "But I want to give them as a present to the British people to say they are all free." The occasion? Prophet Muhammad's birthday, the Easter holiday and perhaps even Persian New Year.
Naturally Ahmadinejad was clever enough to give the sailors the absolute best treatment possible in captivity. He can now show the 'stark contrast' between how poor the West treats her Muslim captives versus how benevolently the Iranians treat their Christian prisoners. Of course the apparently wonderful treatment bestowed upon the British is the complete opposite of how the regime treats any Iranian dissidents. But that is not for the outside world to see, as it would hurt the propaganda machine (yes you skeptical reader you; not only the USA has a smoothly flowing propaganda engine). Iran comes out as the more saintly party, which will only further boost her image, particularly in the Muslim world.
After having the heat of the world turned on Iran for the nuclear issue, the arrest of the sailors and the Iranian insistence that they face trail seemed to be enough material to isolate Iran completely. But just two weeks later, nobody is talking about the nuclear standoff and Ahmadinejad is seen smiling and chatting with 15 highly apologetic British servicemen. Could it have gone any better for the Iranians?
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