Are you saying that Ahmedinejad is the "bad guy" here? He clearly is no saint- but has his gov't put a single Iranian Military Base in the western hemisphere? Is he the one threatening with sanctions and warfare? Has he fabricated data to go to war with another country?

And yes, the youth may have good intentions- but look at where the youth in the US is! Young girls with webcams doing such an injustice to themselves. Gangfights, rape, drugs...need I continue! I am neither from the middle east nor the US. So even though I know that the US is not all bad, I also know that there are so many smoke-screens and very critical issues here too. The White House's reach has grown eeriely dismal and cultish. An iraq war, outed CIA agents, shady Attorney Generals, warmongering VP, Halliburton, Blackwater, torture, Abu Ghraib, Gitmo, increasingly struggling working class, stupendously wealthier high class, decreasing IQ's and test scores...need I continue?

So yes, everyone has its dirty laundry. Don't just go about giving Bush another reason to want to invade a country that seeks nulear power. In case you do not remember- the US has Nuclear weapons already, and have used them...twice...on innocent people. And yet you think they're worthy of being the Judge? Wake up man!

Dear Concerned,
To directly answer your question: No, Iran is not an Islamic, warmongering, terror and torture theocracy. It is a geographical location totaling 1.648 million sq km. It is bordered by the countries Afghanistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Iraq, Pakistan, Turkey, and Turkmenistan. It is mostly arid or semiarid, and subtropical along Caspian coast. Its terrain is characterized by rugged, mountainous rim, high, central basin with deserts, mountains, and small, discontinuous plains along both coasts.

Now, if we want to get into its political history, "Iran became an Islamic republic in 1979 after the ruling monarchy was overthrown and the shah was forced into exile. Conservative clerical forces established a theocratic system of government with ultimate political authority vested in a learned religious scholar referred to commonly as the Supreme Leader who, according to the constitution, is accountable only to the Assembly of Experts" (see "Country Profile: Iran" at CIA World Factbook). So, to be more specific, yes, the government of Iran is currently a theocracy.

However, we should note that the current theocratic regime was installed by a popular revolution of Iran's people in response to Western foreign policy in the region. As such, America should think wisely about its future relations with the people of Iran if it hopes to see any lasting change. There is nothing to say that a similar change could be sparked by the people again, especially considering the findings of people like Jared Cohen.

Now, to address the warmongering, the current President, Mahmoud Ahmedinejad, has taken aggressive stances towards America and other western powers. However, a wise political observer will note that despite his rhetoric, he has no authority of his own, but it entirely dependent upon the will of the ayatollah, who holds the highest political office in that country under their current constitution. So whatever he may say, ultimately he can act on nothing without the approval of the ayatollah. So basically his warmongering is just a bunch of hot air to try and bolster his own image.

Regarding terror, as I recall from reading the news recently, the jury is still out on the exact nature of Iran's involvement. A recent US intelligence report cited that Iran halted its nuclear program in 2003 and further exploration is needed to examine this issue further. Regarding Iran supporting global terror, I have yet to see an overly convincing report to that affect, most simply involving conjecture and lack of solid evidence.

Finally, addressing the torture you mention, it is my understanding that you are possibly referring to Iran's status as a police state. If this is so, you are correct. However, let us keep in mind the last great police state that was deemed a major threat to the United States: the Soviet Union. Overt military action did not lead to the USSR's downfall. Rather a revolution for more freedoms by the people from within is what changed the political regime. It seems, from a political standpoint, that that worked pretty well. Why attack Iran, which does not pose nearly as great a threat as the USSR? It does not seem to make sense, especially when local agitation is already taking place and sanctions and diplomacy have revealed more alternatives to military action? Is torture wrong? Yes. Is the way to end a police state war? No, not in every case. Let's just be clear what we are saying here.

Oh, one more thing, regarding your lumping Islam with the rest of the adjectives that you used, what is your point? A dear friend and former professor of mine is often fond of telling her students, "Stop saying 'Islam says this, Islam says that!' Islam doesn't say anything. Islam is nothing more than a word used to describe a very diverse and dynamic religious belief system." Historically, Islam has been interpreted in a variety of different ways by Muslims, leading to a vast and diverse array of different traditions within the Muslim community. Just because one particular group interprets it in one way, does not mean this reflects the whole of the faith tradition.

I find it interesting that you rage against Muslim hardliners for using an interpretation of Islam that you yourself seem to think is accurate. That is intriguing. Though you don't ascribe to it as a belief system, you seem to think that your way of understanding Islam is the only way to truthfully do so. Seems like you and the extremists have something in common in this regard.

I know that is probably a longer explanation than what you wanted, but I think the point is that simple labels do not work very well when addressing present political, social, religious and, ultimately, human issues.

Sincerely,

Nicholas Price

Gandalf et al,

And Iran is not an Islamic, warmongering, terror and torture theocracy????

You are clearly NOT liberated!! Pity you buddy...

CCNL...stop already with your BS about "deflawing" "koranic" "war-mongering"!!! You are taking up valuable cyber-space! Get a life...and an open mind too!

Until I see evidence that the "young" Iranians want to "deflaw" their koranic operating manual, the following description of Iran will remain: Iran is an Islamic, warmongering, terror and torture theocracy!!!!!

Dear Eboo,

Thanks for sharing Javed's books.
And I agrre with Norrie Hoyt's obeservation. Bush does not represent American public as polls have been showing us for many months.

Dear Eboo,
I'm glad to hear about Jared's experiences in Iran. Oftentimes I fear that Americans buy into the hype about Iran put out both by our own government and by the rhetoric of Ahmadinejad's regime. However, there is a whole other story to Iran that we do not often see. It is the story of the everyday people of Iran, many of whom have the same hopes for themselves and their families as Americans. Another place where we see this is in Azar Nafisi's "Reading Lolita in Tehran". In her memoir she records the story of young women challenging the state system by educating themselves in underground reading groups and education program.

My fear is that America will rush into Iran with our military, thinking that we are liberating the people, and instead lead to the collapse of these home grown groups and organizations. Democracy cannot work when it is imposed by an outside group. Such change needs to come from within if it ever hopes to succeed. I think that we need to continue to pursue diplomatic means of bringing about change in Iran. Let the people there decide when the time is right for change. Until then, we can work with the UN and other allies in the region to keep the more radical elements of Iran in check.

Furthermore, educational exchange programs, whether through NGO's, non-profits, or universities can be a continued means of building bridges with the people of Iran. Iran has a rich history and culture that is often lost behind the current political rhetoric. By learning from one another we continue to build important relationships that outlast any political regime or administration, ones that are developed out of mutual respect and understanding. Anyways, those are just my thoughts. Thanks for bringing this issue to light.

Sincerely,

Nicholas Price

If, today, a young Muslim-Iranian scholar studying in Britain came to the U.S. on a project to interview 50 American government officials, do you think he'd be treated much differently by Bush-government agents than Jared Cohen was treated by Ayatollah-government agents in Iran?

I fear not.

In fact the young Muslim scholar might fare worse in Washington than Jared did in Teheran. He could well find himself fast-tracked to a secret CIA prison or to Guantanamo.

Love the Bush Government. Think we'll get the U.S. Government back any day soon?