Week in Review

DoctorZin provides a review of this past week's [10/30-11/05] major news events regarding Iran. (The reports are listed in chronological order, not by importance)

Ahmadinejad's Threatens the U.S. and Israel and the Response.

• Rooz Online reported on Ahmadinejad's “senior advisor” who wields extreme influence in everything, Mojtaba Somreh Hashemi, a close friend of Mesbah Yazdi. He is not making a lot of friends.
• Robert Spencer, Jihad Watch, sees the two faces of Ahmadinejad: an English and a
• Islamic Republic News Agency reported that Majlis Speaker Gholam-Ali Haddad-Adel said on Sunday that Israel is the symbol of disrespect for the United Nations. Persian version of his website.
• Telegraph UK reported that the United Nations is holding talks on how to deal with Iran.
• Yahoo News reported that Iran's hardline President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad insisted that his controversial call for Israel to be "wiped off the map" was nothing new.
• Ha'aretz reported that Israel on Sunday slammed plans by UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan to visit Iran.
• Dow Jones Newswires reported that U.K. Defense Secretary John Reid said: Iran appeared to be trying to confront the international community.
• Yahoo News reported that former reformist president Mohammad Khatami criticized Ahmadinejad, saying "those words have created hundreds of political and economic problems for us in the world."
• Iran Focus reported that Ahmadinejad angered by what he saw as his envoys’ meek reaction to the global condemnation of his Wednesday speech against "Israel and the West” fired the ambassadors to Berlin, London, and Paris.
• Iran Focus reported that Iran’s Supreme Leader reaffirmed that the state of Israel would eventually be toppled.
• The Financial Times reported that Iran’s supreme leader condemned international reaction to last week’s speech by President Mahmoud Ahmadi-Nejad calling for Israel to be “wiped off the map”.
• Seyed Mojtaba Alavi, Rooz Online reported that Iran's leaders are alarmed over Ahmadinejad.
• Michael Ledeen, The National Review said: Surprise! Iran wants the destruction of Israel (and America, England, France, Italy...).
• Iran Press News reported that a regime-run newspapers warned its readers to: keep the names of these inferior creatures in mind... Kofi Anan... the authorities of the European Union as well as the Vatican, Franco Fini... Turkish Prime Minister... the chief of the PLO Steering and Monitoring Committee...Denis Hastert (speaker of the U.S. house of representatives), Sean McCormack (National Security Council Spokesman).
• Dow Jones Newswires reported that politicians from Italy's left and right have said they will attend a rally in front of the Iranian embassy on Thursday to protest remarks by the Iranian president.
• Ynetnews reported that Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Gianfranco Fini said Tuesday that should Iran equip itself with nuclear weapons the whole world and not only Israel will be threatened.
• Ha'aretz reminded us that the phrase "death to Israel" and "Israel must be eliminated" are Khomeini's original coin phrases. These are the very words that Khomeini uttered to his first-ever foreign visitor - Yasser Arafat.
• Alon Ben-Meir, United Press International reported that many believe that the Iranian president's call to 'wipe Israel off the map,' is tantamount to a declaration of war.
• The Guardian confirmed that Iran's president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, has embarked on a purge of senior Iranian diplomats.
• Iran Press News reported that in advance of the massive public protest against Ahmadinejad’s terrorist commentary will take place in front of the IRI embassy in Rome, Germans held a similar protest.
• Reuters reported that Iran's Foreign Ministry on Wednesday summoned Italy's ambassador to protest about plans to hold a rally outside the Iranian embassy in Rome on Thursday.
• Iran Press News reported that at the demonstrations on the anniversary of U.S. embassy occupation in Tehran, the head of the radio and television of the Islamic regime said: “We need to create media headquarters and broadcasting facilities, so that when our illustrious president commands that Israel be wiped off the planet, the riotous outcry of the world oppressors’ media can be drowned out.”
• Rooz Online reported that Iranian political groups that had opted to remain silent as Iran new government is trying hard to get the support and approval of Russia “by any means and at any cost”; and, private acceptance of the key requests of the IAEA.
• Yahoo News reported that Iran's hard-line government said Wednesday it was removing 40 ambassadors and senior diplomats, including supporters of warmer ties with the West.
• Times Online reported Khatami accused the new leader of using: fascist values and principles in the name of Islam to criticize liberalism.
• Richard Beeston, The Times UK reported that Ahmadinejad's recent tough talk and action make people wonder if he is a 'Little Short of Lunacy.'
• Paul Hughes, Reuters asked: How radical can Iran's President go?
• Haaretz reported on the similarities of Ahmadinejad and Hilter and the need to take his threats seriously.
  
• Bronwen Maddox, The Times UK reported Ahmadinejad has now made it impossible to argue that his threats are just for internal consumption.
• The NY Sun argued that with Iran now baring its 'Genocidal Intent' the next question to ask is does Iran have the two components that must be present for genocide to occur: intent and opportunity.
• The NY Sun reported that with Ahmadinejad's recent threats he has put the leaders of the West on the spot and how European leaders are responding.
• Ynet reported that 15,000 people (from both right and left) participated gathered in a pro-Israel demonstration was held in Rome Thursday following recent statements made by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad saying Israel “should be wiped off the map.
• Agence France-Presse reported that Italy's Foreign Minister Gianfranco Fini urged the international community to deal firmly with Iran.
• YnetNews reported that Italy's foreign minister said he will not participate in an anti-Iran rally.
• Islamic Republic News Agency reported that Kofi Annan said that in spite of some requests from US congressmen to cancel his visit to Iran, he will make the pre-scheduled trip.

Who's Who.

• Arash Mahdavi, Rooz Online reported on the man behind the President of Iran: Mojataba Hashemi Samareh. A must read.
  

Iran's Nuclear Program.

• Ryan Mauro, The Global Politician reviewed the facts and rumors of Iran's nuclear program.
• Agence France Presse reported that Iran's top nuclear negotiator Ali Larijani, reacting to the threat of war or sanctions over its disputed nuclear program said: They must understand that such an attitude will only persuade us more to have nuclear technology.
• Iran Focus reported that Iran’s top national security official and a senior aide to Supreme Leader, Larijani, said: If the West wants to refer Iran’s nuclear file to the Security Council, we won’t have any problem. It just means that oil prices will reach 150 dollars, which will bring good luck for the government of [Iranian President Mahmoud] Ahmadinejad.
• Martin Indyk, The Los Angeles Times warned that Iran's recent bluster isn't a bluff.
• Abbas Milani, The Wall Street Journal argued that the clerical cabal that rules Iran is pushing its captive population ever closer to the precipice and the only answer to the Iranian nuclear problem is democracy.
• Adnkronos International reported that the Iranian government has decided to continue the process of uranium enrichment, starting next week.
• The Guardian reported that Iran is sending conflicting signals to an international community concerned about its nuclear agenda, granting U.N. inspectors access to a secret military site but also saying it would process a new batch of uranium that could be used to make atomic weapons.
• Bill Samii, Radio Free Europe reported that Ahmadinejad is still in charge of its nuclear program, despite speculation to the contrary.
• CBS News reported that Iran has granted U.N. nuclear inspectors new access to a high-security nuclear site.
• Reuters reported that Iran will process a new batch of uranium at its Isfahan atomic plant next week.
• Reuters reported that Russia is prepared to host a nuclear fuel production joint venture with Iran, a plan that could help break a months-long deadlock in Tehran’s talks with France, Britain and Germany.
• Kenneth R. Timmerman, The Washington Times reported that senior U.S. officials will tell Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice that it is not yet time to refer Iran's case to the U.N. Security Council for further action. Their reasoning is wrong.
• The Financial Times argued that Russia's Putin has an opportunity to get a compromise out of Iran on its nuclear program.
• BBC News reported that Iran's Supreme Leader insisted Iran does not intend to attack any foreign state.
• Iran Press News reported that the regime's previous IAEA rep, said: We're starting enriching uranium in the Natanz plant.
• CNN.com reported that Kofi Annan has canceled his trip to Iran in response to increasing tension over the Iranian president's call for Israel to be "wiped off the map."
  

Iranian Dissidents.

• Iran Press News reported that Ahmad-Reza Shiri, Journalist and blogger from Mash'had who had been arrested and imprisoned temporarily, awaiting trial.
• Iran Press News reported that Iranian dissident Payman Peeraan's new trial begins.
• Iran Press News published a horrific letter of political prisoner Mehrdad Lohrasbi.
• Rooz Online reported on Ganji's wife's latest letter to the Head of Iran's Judiciary.
• Iran Press News reported that an Iranian court sentenced 6 protesting workers who have not received their wages for more than 13 months to 4 months in prison and 20 lashes each. The workers were charged with “disturbing public order.”
• Kuwait News Agency reported that the U.S. called for the immediate release of jailed Iranian activist, Akbar Ganji.
• Eli Lake, The NY Sun reported that State Department spokesman, Sean McCormack said: The United States calls for the immediate and unconditional release of Akbar Ganji, as well as his immediate access to medical assistance and legal representation.
  

The Unrest Inside of Iran.

• SMCCDI repprted that the Islamic republic's security forces attacked and wounded tens of protesters in the northern City of Babolsar.
• SMCCDI reported that a student activist named, "Ali Rasti" was killed, yesterday evening, at the Yoosef-Abad dorm located in Tehran. Ali seems to have been pushed from the six floor's balcony by members of the repressive Harrasat (University's Intelligence) or Bassij.
• Iran Press News reported that a group of armed individuals who claimed to be intelligence agents of the city of Saari (Province of Mazandaraan) kidnapped the editor of Daryaasar newspaper and after brutally beating him, cut his ear off.
• Iran Focus reported that over 290 recorded demonstrations, sit-ins, and strikes took place past month. Bringing the total number of demonstrations in Iran this year now stands at above 1,800.
• Iran Press News reported that the regime fearing wrath of protesting youth postponed a Soccer match.
• Iran Press News reported that the regime's military and disciplinary forces attacked and beat the residents of the town of Mahaabad.
• Iran Focus reported that dozens of people protested in the Arab-dominated city of Ahwaz.
  

Human Rights/Freedom of the press inside of Iran.

• Iran Press Newsreported that Tehran authorities are inspecting the case of a young man who according to his family was tortured to death by the regime’s agents.
• Mehdi Khalaji, The Washington Institute for Near East Policy discussed how to create effective international pressure for human rights in Iran and why it is so important.
• Iran Press News reported that another student publication has been banned.
  

Iran and Al Qaeda.

• Peter Brooks, The New York Sun reported that the most immediate threat Iran poses to American national security isn't its nuclear (weapons) program. It's the safe haven Tehran is giving al Qaeda terrorists.
• Winds of Change: Here is the full English text of the recent Cicero article on Iran, "How Dangerous is Iran?" about Iran's ties with Al Qaeda.

Iran's troublemaking.

• The Australian reported that Tehran's 'rewards' terrorists for rocket attacks on Israel.
• Iran Press News reported on further calls for suicide-bombing volunteers to register in Iran.
• Reuters reported that a small bomb exploded outside the offices of BP and British Airways in Tehran.
• Iran Press News reported that Iranian TV, in a special on the 1979 occupation of the U.S. embassy, threatened other western countries with embassies in Tehran saying: “If necessary, embassies of other western countries can and will be invaded with that very same divine plan.”
• WorldNetDaily.com reported that Iran last month distributed $1 million to families of Palestinian suicide bombers and jailed terrorists.

U.S. Policy.

• U.S. Department of State reported that Stephen Hadley, assistant to the president for national security affairs, said: It is the spread of freedom, democracy, and justice that is the antidote to Islamic extremism.
• Business Wire reported on a lawsuit filed against Iran for its role in the 1983 terrorist bombing of the U.S. Marine barracks in Beirut.
• Kuwait News Agency reported that the U.S. called for the immediate release of jailed Iranian activist, Akbar Ganji.
• Iran Focus reported that the U.S. said that Iran had refused to answer queries on the suspected role of its hard-line President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in the 1979 seizure of the U.S. embassy in Tehran.

The Iranian Military.

• Ilan Berman, American Foreign Policy Council reported that Iran’s clerical army is going back to school and that the Islamic Republic is planning changes in the “structure, doctrines, and strategies” of the IRGC.

The Economy.

• Iran Focus reported that Iran's President's solution to the Stock Market slide: Hang two or three people.
• MosNews reported that industrial contracts between Iran and Russia could reach $10 billion per year.
• Rooz Online reported that despite the fall of Tehran's stock market, Farhad Rahbar, head of Iran's Planning and Management Organization and the economic brain behind Ahmadinejad's government said: Tehran's stock market has no problems.
• CNN reported that Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad nominated Sadeq Mahsouli, a total unknown in the energy business, as oil minister.
• BBC News reported that the Iranian government has approved plans to offer share options to low-income families.
• Iran Press News reported on a major drop in foreign investment.
  

Efforts against the regime outside of Iran.

• JTA reported on a campaign by Berlin-based activists has resulted in the erasure of "Al Quds Day" from some interfaith calendars in the United States and United Kingdom.
• Kansas City reported that a state retirement system agreed to implement a terrorism screening process for its investments, divesting itself from investments in countries like Iran. A great idea.
  

Iran and the International community.

• Islamic Republic News Agency reported that Foreign Secretary Jack Straw Tuesday to start talks with Iranian opposition groups to overthrow the country's government.
• Iran Press News reported that Kuwait puts a moratorium on issuing visas to IRI passport holders.
• Bloomberg reported that U.K. Prime Minister Tony Blair ruled out military action against Iran.
• Iran Press News reported that Turkey’s Armed forces chief of staff said that the Islamic regime’s nuclear activities are a great threat to Turkey and is asking for Turkey to rethink relations with the Islamic regime.
• Axis Globe reported that Iran is trying to influence the situation in Azerbaijan, accordeing to interview with Isa Gambar, an Azerbaijan Presidential Candidate in Sunday's election.
• Kuwait News Agency reported that the Supreme Leader of Iran called for encouraging unity among Islamic countries throughout the world. He added: that the Islamic nation was "going through a revival."
• Michael Hirsh, Newsweek reported that Israeli Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz in an interview said: a military option is not on the agenda.
• John Larkin, The Wall Street Journal reported that India is betting on the US in its nuclear future, despite Iranian efforts.
• Kuwait News Agency reported that in a phone call to Syrian President Bashar Al-Asad, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmedinejad expressed solidarity with Damascus against international pressure and threats.
• Canada.com reported that Iran has launched an attack on Canada at the United Nations, claiming it is in no position to censure the Islamic republic over its human rights record.
• Monster and Critics reported that Berlin has warned that missile- builders in Iran and Syria are obtaining sophisticated German equipment via Moscow.
• Reuters reported that Royal Marines Major General James Dutton claimed that Iran is supplying the insurgents weapons used in Iraq.
  

Insight into the Iranian people.

• Shoshanna, Dreams into Lighting suggested that students of Iran should read "Living In Hell" by Ghazal Omid. The book helps activists who look forward to a post-IRI era to understand the other challenges that Iranian society faces.
  

Iranian Bloggers and Writers.

• Iranian blogger, Farid Pouya, WebGardian said that the Iranian people don't hate Israel (many of them). Many believe Israel can be considered as a friend. Many say Israel never invaded us but Arabs did.
• Iranian blogger, Sheema Kalbasi, Zaneirani said that the main difference between Khatamist charlatanism and Ahmadinejad's extremism should be sought not in ideology but in their honesty about the true nature of the regime.
• ET, View from Iran confused by the recent fights among hard-liners asked: What do the hardliners want? You tell me. I’m serious. Tell me.
• Rooz Online asked: Who is Next: Iran or Syria?
• Rooz Online reported that senior religious clerics in the city of Qom have expressed their concerns over the recent radical changes in the Ministries of Intelligence and Interior.
• Ghazal Omid, Global Politician provides advice on how to stop Iranian hardliners and their connection to the terrorists.
• Iranian blogger, ET, View for Iran said: No one in Iran wants sanctions, almost.
• Maryam Kashani, Rooz Online reported on the fearful response of Europeans at the Iranian president's sacking of the country’s senior ambassadors.

Can You Believe This?

• Iran Focus reported that Police in Iran have launched a new crackdown on alluring mannequins rounding up 65 feminine mannequins. Truth is stranger than fiction.
• Shirin Ebadi, Rooz Online shared her concerns that Ahamdinejad's administration wants to make NGO's (non-governmental organizations) governmental.
  

Must Read reports.

• Jim Hoagland, The Washington Post asked should Iranian President Ahmadinejad be voted the most Valuable Politician of the year? He reminds a distracted world of the true nature of Iran's regime.
• Winds of Change: Here is the full English text of the recent Cicero article on Iran, "How Dangerous is Iran?" about Iran's ties with Al Qaeda.
• Center for Security Policy offered three non military instruments we need to use against the regime in Tehran.
• Afshin Molavi, The New York Times reminds us that we have allies in Iran.
• Amir Taheri, The NY Post explains why is Paris burining?
• Alan Peters, FrontPageMagazine.com reported that the Mullahs' Threat Is Not Sinking In.
  

The Experts.

• Michael Ledeen, The National Review said: Surprise! Iran wants the destruction of Israel (and America, England, France, Italy...).
• Michael Ledeen, The National Review reported that the Italians are standing unitied in condemning the Iran's Regime.
• Amir Taheri, Asharq Alawsat reported that Iran's President is determined to create "a clash of civilizations."
• Victor Davis Hanson, The National Review argues that either the jihadists really are crazy or they apparently think that they have a shot at destabilizing, or at least winning concessions from, the United States, Europe, India, and Russia all at once.
• Kathryn Jean Lopez, The National Review published an interview with Rich Miniter author of Disinformation : 22 Media Myths That Undermine the War on Terror.

Photos, cartoons and videos.

• Rooz Online published a cartoon: Ahmadinejad is doing an incredible job.
• Scott Ott, ScrappleFace - UN Debates Meaning of 'Wipe' Israel from Map (humor).
• DryBones.blogspot.com published a cartoon: Which Map Is Ahmadinejad Reading?
• Yahoo News published photos of an anti-American demonstration to commemorate Student day in front of the former U.S. embassy in Tehran. BBC News also.
• Ynet published photos of 15,000 Italians in an anti-Iranian regime rally.
• MemriTV.org published an Iranian TV cartoon glorifying suicide bombing.
  

And finally, The Quote of the Week.

Iran Focus reported that Iran’s top national security official and a senior aide to Supreme Leader, Larijani, said:

"If the West wants to refer Iran’s nuclear file to the Security Council, we won’t have any problem. It just means that oil prices will reach 150 dollars, which will bring good luck for the government of [Iranian President Mahmoud] Ahmadinejad."

Sunday's Daily Briefing on Iran

DoctorZin reports, 11.6.2005:

Mullahs' Threat Not Sinking In

Alan Peters, FrontPageMagazine.com:

Indications of radical changes in the dynamics of the 3-month-old Iranian government, politically, philosophically and in their potential to do irreparable global damage without flinching or concern has begun sending shivers down some analysts' spines. However, this has yet to reach policy decision makers or the mass media. ...

The 27-year, overtly hostile but comparatively "reasoned" approach toward the Western world and foreigners by the previous generation of senior Iranian Mullahs, with their accumulated overseas personal financial interests – even overflowing bank accounts outside Iran, has clearly ended. This has yet to permeate onto the desks of leaders in the Western world. READ MORE

A important analysis of the leadership changes in Iran and its increasingly radical nature, although I disagree with his military solution. A must read.

Here are a few other news items you may have missed.

• Iran Press News reported that another student publication has been banned.
• Iran Press News reported that the regime's military and disciplinary forces attacked and beat the residents of the town of Mahaabad.
• Iran Press News reported that the regime's previous IAEA rep, said: We're starting enriching uranium in the Natanz plant.
• Iran Press News reported on a major drop in foreign investment.
• Iran Press News reported that former President Khatami illegally handed out official state decoration & insignia. Arrests coming?
  
• Iran Focus reported that dozens of people protested in the Arab-dominated city of Ahwaz.
• Monster and Critics reported that Berlin has warned that missile- builders in Iran and Syria are obtaining sophisticated German equipment via Moscow.
• Iran Focus reported that the U.S. said that Iran had refused to answer queries on the suspected role of its hard-line President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in the 1979 seizure of the U.S. embassy in Tehran.
• Iranian blogger, ET, View for Iran said: No one in Iran wants sanctions, almost.
• Kathryn Jean Lopez, The National Review published an interview with Rich Miniter author of Disinformation : 22 Media Myths That Undermine the War on Terror.
• Iran Focus reported that Iran is seeking clarification why one of its international networks, Jam-e Jam, has stopped broadcasting into the United States.
• CNN.com reported that Kofi Annan has canceled his trip to Iran in response to increasing tension over the Iranian president's call for Israel to be "wiped off the map."
• Reuters reported that Royal Marines Major General James Dutton claimed that Iran is supplying the insurgents weapons used in Iraq.
• Arash Mahdavi, Rooz Online reported on the man behind the President of Iran: Mojataba Hashemi Samareh. A must read.
  
• And finally, Maryam Kashani, Rooz Online reported on the fearful response of Europeans at the Iranian president's sacking of the country’s senior ambassadors.

Mullahs' Threat Not Sinking In

Alan Peters, FrontPageMagazine.com:

Indications of radical changes in the dynamics of the 3-month-old Iranian government, politically, philosophically and in their potential to do irreparable global damage without flinching or concern has begun sending shivers down some analysts' spines. However, this has yet to reach policy decision makers or the mass media.

Iran's Supreme Ruler, "ayatollah" Ali Khamenei's hasty revisions of the national ruling structure, delegating some of his own authority to the Expediency Council, chaired by rival "ayatollah" and former President Hashemi Rafsanjani, reflects unusual action to counter-balance the power-grab by newly inaugurated President Mahmoud Ahmadi-Nejad.

The unannounced moratorium on policies and procedures of all Iran's government ministries has been equally attributed to Rafsanjani's efforts to take control of Judicial, Legislative and Executive bodies through the broadened Expediency Council powers - and to Ahmadi-Nejad's cabinet implementing new regulations that suit their views. Specially, after warnings to the Expediency Council from his hard-line allies in the Majliss (parliament), not to mess with the Legislative system.

Persistent reports emanating from Tehran of solid rocket fuel capability and long range Shahab-3 missile tests, with emptied North Korean designed nuclear warheads, providing serious concerns, the nuclear component has begun taking second place to Iran's ability, even unintended, to damage global economies resulting (in worst-case scenarios) in worldwide financial meltdowns.

The 27-year, overtly hostile but comparatively "reasoned" approach toward the Western world and foreigners by the previous generation of senior Iranian Mullahs, with their accumulated overseas personal financial interests – even overflowing bank accounts outside Iran, has clearly ended. This has yet to permeate onto the desks of leaders in the Western world. READ MORE

Analysis and evaluation based on prior status quo and parameters, with some adjustment for new players – as was the case with former changes of President and Majliss (parliament) deputies – no longer holds water. Any more than understandable, logical evaluations had a place with genocidal, paranoid Pol Pot of Cambodia.

Greater and lesser indicators mentioned below of mindsets, policies and philosophy, show "C" note changes, particularly to SME's (subject matter experts) on what drives "neo-Iran".

OVERVIEW

Less than three months ago, on August 15, 2005, Mahmoud Ahmadi-Nejad took office as the new "selected" President of the Islamic Republic of Iran with huge doubts over validity of the elections.

• He immediately purged nearly all senior governing positions of older generation clerics and officials and replaced them with his military colleagues of the elite Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) – about 350,000 strong, in which, prior to becoming Mayor of Tehran, he had been a commander.
• His neo-Islamic Republic, harking back to Khomeini times, has instructed all airports and domestic or international airlines operating in Iran to remove all foreign words or characters from their signs at ground locations across the country. In the same vein, clothing designers, hired for this purpose, have started creating a national Islamic style for everyone to wear. Strict imposition of restrictions on movies and audio, allowed to lapse to some extent by the previous President Mohammad Khatami, has been re-instated.
• Bassiji paramilitary (anti-demonstration and Islamic enforcement strike forces) have had their authority widely expanded to suppress dissent without any restraints and for the past month, Revolutionary Guards have begun appearing at posts on street corners and in a highly increased number of patrols. (Still unclear was the showing up of only 1,400 Bassijis at an event when 20,000 should have appeared, though they have continued attacking students and by-standers with knives and clubs with their customary brutality).
• Residents of Tehran and its outer suburbs of late witnessed unannounced military exercises that involved the use of live munitions and firepower – and on an almost nightly basis in the hills East of Tehran. Officials have tried to explain such activity as an eradication of communities and townships around Tehran, populated by criminal elements fleeing justice and becoming a threat to national security.
• Brigadier-General Mohammad Kossari, head of the Security Bureau of the IRGC stated, "Iran intends to become a superpower and will drive all foreign forces out of our region". What was previously sheer hyperbole now has a basis in serious executive policy and planning in Iran's new government.
• Hassan Abbasi, Head the Center for Security Doctrines Research of the IRGC has become Ahmadi-Nejad's prime advisor on Foreign Affairs. He lately announced, "We have a strategy drawn up for the destruction of Anglo-Saxon civilization". (An attitude supported by the tenets of Hojatieh - see below).
• Ahmadi-Nejad has declared a plan to create an Oil Bourse (Exchange) in Iran to unlink oil pricing from the U.S. Dollar and use the Euro or barter instead, thus to break any grip the West and the Dollar have on oil supplies or trade and make Iran the top oil and natural gas broker within the region. (Unlikely to succeed but perhaps effective enough on a short-term basis to trigger a dollar crash which could destabilize global solvency).
• Having studied Urban Development at the University of Science in Tehran, Ahmadi-Nejad has started drawing up plans to relocate 25 million rural residents to existing urban centers to facilitate less costly provision of utilities and services. (Grandiose Stalinist or Hitlerian methods, exhibiting simplistic disregard of unintended consequences and social side effects).
• After his inauguration, Ahmadi-Nejad visited the grave of his hero, Ayatollah Rouhallah (soul of Allah) Khomeini then went to kiss the hand of his mentor and spiritual guide, Ayatollah Mesbah Yazdi, leader of the Hojatieh sect of Islam, who was instrumental in elevating Ahmadi-Nejad to his Presidential position.
  

MAJOR NEW COMPONENT

The newest and most dangerous component that lends credibility to the potentially mindless chaos and destruction that Ahmadi-Nejad and his clique could trigger comes from a look at his mentor, Ayatollah Mesbah Yazdi and his sect's deep-rooted beliefs.

The Hojatieh philosophy, considered by mainstream Shia Moslems as a lunatic fringe, was too much even for extreme hardliner Ayatollah Khomeini, whose disapproval sent them into underground, clandestine status in 1983, some four years after the Islamic revolution in Iran.

Censure from a man as ruthless and radical as Khomeini, who insisted that the Prophet Mohammad had not completed Allah's work in the world and that he (Khomeini) was born to finish the job of bringing Islam to its rightful place (as the only religion and to destroy unbelievers) - indicates how far off the Islamic radar the Hojatieh function.

Ahmadi-Nejad, a Khomeini adherent throughout his adult life, transitioned to his present, previously unpublicized role of acolyte to Ayatollah Mesbah Yazdi, himself a pseudo-Khomeini supporter, though not of Khomeini's Islamic revolution, in total concealment. (The Hojatieh took no part in the 1979 Khomeini revolution).

Nicknamed the "crocodile" and often referred to as the "crazy" Ayatollah, Mesbah Yazdi echoes Khomeini saying, "Islam permits spilling the blood of anyone who insults Islamic sanctities and no court is needed".

After his 1979 return to Iran, in early days, a companion asked Khomeini how he wanted the Ministry of Justice restructured and he replied, "Anyone who is against me is against Allah and must be killed where they stand. No other justice system is required".

HOJATIEH

Understanding the abruptly dominant Hojatieh philosophy becomes essential for any current analysis. Formed in the 1950's at the time of the late Shah, the group's primary motivation was to eradicate the Bahai faith and all its members in Iran over a philosophical clash about Imam Mehdi - the Lord of all Time and 12th descendant of Prophet Mohammad.

Shia Islam believes that the 12th Imam, a child named Mehdi, hid down a well 1,300 years ago and disappeared but will return to redeem the world. The Bahai religion, which declassified documents from the British Foreign Office appear to indicate Britain founded and organized artificially to splinter and weaken Iranian clergy influence, consolidated against British presence in Iran, claims their Prophet, Sheikh Baha'ollah, as the 12th Imam, who has already returned.

As devotees of the 12th Imam, the Hojatieh firmly believe he will return only when the world contains enough oppression, misery, tyranny and sorrow to warrant his coming. To hasten and facilitate the return, they believe in spreading evil, tyranny and misery and argue that standing in the way of all these delays his coming and their redemption.

Ayatollah Mesbah Yazdi, the power behind the scenes now helps formulate Iran policy, through President Ahmadi-Nejad, his submissive and a man called Mojtaba Somreh Hashemi, the President's mentor without whom, much to their chagrin, nobody in senior government can make a decision. Nor start a Cabinet meeting or access the President himself. Hashemi represents Ayatollah Mesbah Zadeh and had the same role when the new President was still Mayor of Tehran.

The Hojatieh receives full co-operation of belligerent, military Revolutionary Guard commanders - suddenly in positions of national executive authority as Cabinet Ministers. They brook no half measures, instantly ready to suppress any internal resistance – clerical or otherwise - including removal of Supreme Ruler Khamenei himself.

The neo-Iran status presents a very different scenario from what we faced, uncomfortable as it was with the Ayatollahs in general, for the past quarter century. A recent cabinet meeting evidences the unconventional mindset of the new players running Iran and now addressing the world stage from their eyes:

President Ahmadi-Nejad's first deputy, Parviz Davoudi, submitted and the cabinet ratified in a formal meeting, an agreement between the cabinet ministers and the Shia 12th Imam, Mehdi, Lord of All Time, in a similar fashion to the pact they had all signed with Ahmadi-Nejad upon taking office.

The question then arose how to obtain the long dead Imam's signature on the document for ratification. Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance, Saffar Harandi finally dropped the agreement into the Jamkaran well into which they believe Imam Mehdi descended 1300 years ago, where it joined tons of letters and requests from pilgrims over the centuries.

A large number of Ahmadi-Nejad's close allies are talking about preparing the grounds for the hidden Imam's imminent manifestation. Any hope for logical international policies from these leaders may be too much to expect – or for them to understand.

Total disregard for the well-being of the world community, so incredible a concept, even impossible to digest for Western minds (as was Pol Pot), has become a readily acceptable philosophy of Iran's new active rulers. With the reverberations of religious tenets of "ultra-conservative" Ayatollah Mesbah Yazdi, preaching apocalypse to his choir, encompassing everyone and everything.

The semi-clandestine nature of the Hojatieh over time, in no way hampers Mesbah Yazdi's influence in today's Islamic Iran. Apart from long roots in the poorer, superstitious populace through his Khomeini Institute, he was one of only two Ayatollahs to support Supreme Leader "ayatollah" Ali Khamenei in his bid to succeed Khomeini when every other Ayatollah, except Iraqi born Ayatollah Hashemi Shahroodi, the current Chief of Judiciary, rejected Khamenei's theological credentials. To become Supreme Leader has a prerequisite of being a Grand Ayatollah (Emulation Source for Shiite faithful).

As reward, Mesbah Yazdi requested and received funds to found and run the Imam Khomeini Institute to spread the teachings of Khomeini – providing a vehicle to gain support and standing in conventional Islamic circles – while strengthening the radical Hojatieh network.

AHMADI-NEJAD

The new Iranian President's personality profile provides another important input to the Iranian challenges the world could inevitably face, unless, as one SME notes, circumstances change dramatically or a nuclear take-out of the Islamic Iranian regime occurs. Israel seems increasingly willing to undertake action against Iranian facilities and despite denials, U.S. military strategists appear to have a massive conventional bombing plan of some 5,000 specific locations on their charts.

1. Still in his mid-teens when Khomeini took over, Ahmadi-Nejad is a product of post-revolutionary Iran and has no perception of the West except as an enemy to be confounded and defeated. Studying Urban Development and rising to Mayor of Tehran did not provide him grounding for even national level concepts, nor has he any foreign affairs experience at all. His idea to move 25 million Iranians from rural areas to existing urban locations indicates simplistic, linear thinking.

2. Coming from impoverished circumstances, where his coppersmith father provided only a minimalist life, the new President has lived off very little all his life, including a meager military salary. Unlike most senior Mullahs and their entourages, who over the past 25-years have acquired riches, invested in overseas real estate and other projects and often have sizeable accounts in offshore banks, consequently a stake in keeping global economies steady, Ahmadi-Nejad has nothing to lose or to gain by factoring in "time wasting" and unfamiliar international components.

3. His strong proclivity to Ayatollah Khomeini's Valiate-Faghi guiding principles, which propound Islamic clerical rule and dominance of the world and his dedicated religious conduct as a daily part of his military lifestyle in the IRGC, easily puts him in the category of a religious fanatic, though secular in official title.

The underpinning to the problem is Iranian in nature, but the ability for Iran to do serious harm stems more from a combination of global weaknesses.

World currency markets, oil unlinking radically from the dollar (potentially to some extent through the Iranian Oil Bourse plan) and the political and personal ambitions of leaders in Europe, Russia, China and the Islamic world, combine to become a serious peril. Significantly, terrorist groups have also begun switching from purely bodily or property harm to attempting to destroy the financial well being of target countries.

Viewed in perspective, emerging anxiety about "neo-Iran" ponders a bizarre situation, far from wild conjecture, that will require drastic action to prevent. Existing dynamics might, at best, bring far reaching doldrums and financial pain to Europe and advanced Western nations, similar to that encountered in the USA during the Jimmy Carter administration, intertwining with aspects unrelated to Iran's intentional efforts to cause harm.

CURRENCY

The U.S. Dollar plays the role of the world's primary currency and nothing else can presently substitute for the dollar's mandatory use for oil purchase and oil trading, which has to be in dollars. Nevertheless, based on supply and demand principles, U.S. money is about 40-50% overvalued.

Central Banks find themselves crammed with a surplus of dollars, which they hold beyond logical considerations just to maintain equilibrium in world trade and commodities – mostly out of self-interest and self-preservation.

Quite to the contrary, Ahmadi-Nejad and his clique have neither such compunctions nor personal wealth to protect.

A negative run on the dollar would change the economic face of the earth and delight the Hojatieh mindset and religious aims of spreading misery.

A glut of dollar holdings by Central Banks and among Asian lenders (China reportedly has hundreds of billons in U.S. Treasury bonds) plus the current low interest rate offered to investor/lenders by the USA has been putting the dollar in jeopardy for some time.

Including, potentially, by some inexperienced Third World central bank employee, who seeing an over stock of dollars in the bank's currency portfolio, decides to diversify their holdings.

Were that person to offer several billion dollars on the market, they would trigger a panic sell-off by everyone else. A twitching finger on currency's hair-trigger can shoot down the dollar without any purposeful ill intent. Most estimates place the likely drop to "floor levels" at a rapid 50% loss in value for a presently 40% overvalued Dollar.

Not too long ago, a mid-level official of the Korean Central bank casually mentioned currency "diversification" at an obscure lunch. The U.S. Stock Market fell by 100 points in 15 minutes, because of an implied desire for Korea to decrease its dollar holdings. What would the drop have been had he actually sold dollars?

When a group called "Long Term Capital Management", a hedge fund of derivatives – something fully understood by probably less than half a dozen people in the world – failed, U.S. Federal Reserve Chairman, Alan Greenspan had to help bail it out to save the dollar and the U.S. economy.

This fund had Nobel Prize winning economists writing their trading algorithms and top-drawer traders involved and still went down in flames. What about the expertise level of other hedge funds trading daily in the USA - some 8,000 of them?

About $6,000 Billion (easier to conceptualize as "huge" instead of a mere "six trillion") worth of derivatives trade on the international market – daily - so the already built-in prospect of disaster surpasses all possible defensive safety measures.

Compare this daily volatility to the annual USA national budget of approximately $1,900 Billion (less than two trillion) of revenues and $2,350 Billion (2.35 trillion) in expenditures.

While economists scoff at the currency market being unable to right itself in the face of fluctuations, if left to its own devices, introduce into this at best "delicately balanced" economical environment, a hostile "Hojatieh" Iran's lack of any desire or motivation to help prevent global economic mayhem.

OIL BOURSE

While a regional Oil Exchange attempted by Dubai failed, partly because they play by international rules and monetary exchange norms, Iran's Bourse, in Euros or in barter trade agreements and Hojatieh willingness to sacrifice the world and its own people to achieve its religious ends of bringing back their 12th Imam, presents a special set of givens. Specifically in the area of damage to world financial stability, as opposed to a conventionally deemed "successful", venture for Iran.

Experts from the International Petroleum Exchange (IPE) and New York Mercantile Exchange (NYMEX) have apparently already confirmed the feasibility of the project, bearing in mind Iran's much greater reserves of petroleum products with which to operate and weight the market.

Realistic argument posits that the Iranian oil fields are old and require huge investments to continue production or to keep them at anywhere near current levels. New oil fields will take time to come online and hamper the speed of Iran's negative activity. In addition, Iran's natural gas fields, the second largest reserve in the world after Russia, have yet to be developed fully and cannot provide a big enough supply to make a significant immediate difference in the markets.

Because U.S. sanctions on the sale of American technology to Iran, the most modern systems for effective, large scale liquefaction of natural gas have been denied to Iran and hampers their ability to bring important liquid natural gas prominently into the mix.

While the Bourse may be wishful thinking as a constructive revenue source for Iran, according to Western standards of logic and assessment of success, missing from the equation of production targets and capability is that oil-currency - not oil or natural gas itself - is the principle fulcrum and danger factor.

If the Euro became the reserve currency and choice of oil producing countries, the U.S. would have to purchase Euros to purchase oil, the reverse being the case today with countries having to pay a "Dollar Tax" to buy oil in dollars.

Experts agree the effect over only a very few years would be devastating to the status of the dollar globally. Then, Euros (in their role as petro-currency) would affect the U.S. Dollar, U.S. economy and the interest rates America must offer to attract buyers. Former U.S. Reserve Chairman Paul Volcker has already placed the likelihood for a Dollar crash in the next five years at 75%.

The Iranian Oil Bourse's trade in Euros instead of dollars could possibly hasten the crash and the percentage of likelihood. Some feel Volcker was unable to assess Federal Reserve matters knowledgeably but with experts like George Soros and Warren Buffet putting their own billions into betting against the dollar, Volcker's comments gather strength.

If major oil and natural gas supply and trade quantities become easily available only in Euros or barter, Central Banks will have ever less reason to overstock their portfolios with U.S. currency and will eventually begin replacing unwanted Dollars with necessary Euros, unleashing a dollar decline of great proportions.

Any crash would bring Iran, with a wealth of oil and natural gas reserves with which to barter with China, Russia, India and Far East nations, to the fore as a new superpower, in a future scenario where money or devalued currencies might have much less, little or even no value.

The latest flavor of Islamic Republic would suffer only tangentially and try to obtain all their needs through barter or exchange. Their life styles would remain similar to what they had until very recently as military men and whether the populace is unhappy – preferably so for the Hojatieh – means little or nothing in their big picture.

At very best, the USA would enter another Carter administration era financial pattern:

1. Interest rates were so high nobody could afford to finance a house, so this market sector, like many other big-ticket items such as automobiles, slowed to almost a halt in some instances.

2. Grocery items had multiple superimposed price stickers as the cost of goods rose faster than customers bought them. Imported retail merchandise normally sells or distributes through national chains like Walmart or food chains, so a drop in the dollar makes these more expensive for the buyer and leads to layoffs as the retail chains find their sales volumes and profit margins eroded.

3. The price of energy shot up so much people resorted to wood burning stoves to stay warm at a price they could afford. The quality of life went down.

4. People on fixed incomes could no longer afford to live and the more solvent could not keep abreast of rising prices and interest rates. A drop in the dollar immediately cuts into the value of saved money.

5. Running a business became almost impossible as the price of goods and materials skyrocketed. Sales to a greatly less solvent market plummeted and marketing assumptions needed for advertising, budgeting and planning became wild guesses at best.

What might happen if the dollar devalued rapidly? Global ruin.

With economies so interdependent and interwoven, a global not just American Depression would occur with a domino effect throwing the rest of world economies into poverty. Markets for acutely less expensive US exports would never materialize.

The result, some SME's estimate, might be as many as 200 million Americans out of work and starving on the streets with nobody and nothing able to rescue or aid them, contrary to the 1920/30 Great Depression through soup kitchens and charitable support efforts.

Iran would most likely intentionally sabotage any return to stability and market balance/adjustment with their fossil fuels; their newfound nuclear deterrent probably discouraging use of force against them until too late.

A close look shows Ahmadi-Nejad holds the key to throwing the world into the tribulations of the Weimar Republic of Germany after World War I. High inflation and interest rates drove the value of the Mark into the ground and allowed Hitler to present himself as a savior.

To provide an adequate cash flow to the working class, Hitler promised to pay them once a week, then twice a week, then once a day. When this failed, he allowed workers two hours off work every day to trundle wheelbarrows full of German currency, which barely sufficed to buy a loaf of bread.

Iran succeeding in unlinking the Dollar as the primary currency for oil purchases, were it to occur, creates the same outcome for the USA and consequently within short time frames for the rest of the civilized world.

To deny history repeating itself with Ahmadi-Nejad's Hojatieh minded governing group filling in for Hitler, suggests a refusal to face and counteract an indescribable menace beyond the reach of Western logic but totally in alignment with this specific brand of Islamic fervor to intentionally create an apocalypse. Then to impose Islamic rule on a shattered world.

CONCLUSION

Apart from the use of nuclear arms by the West to bring down the new regime in Iran, only an internal effort by the old-guard Ayatollahs to overcome Ahmadi-Nejad and his allies, at the clear risk of a civil war they would lose, has a hope of preventing a potential global Depression.

Few other counter measures come to mind. Mostly because of the shortcoming of the global "family" of nations to withstand mindless nihilism and an untrammeled desire to destroy in the name of their 12th Imam.

When Iran's lately announced pull back from subsidizing refined gas prices domestically and import of this fuel takes hold on the population, who will suddenly be unable to afford to operate vehicles, the dissatisfaction could translate into riots and open a new window to remove the Islamic regime of whatever flavor.

In-depth bombing, specifically of all Iranian military and nuclear facilities at that time – possibly the 5,000 locations mentioned above – would weaken or remove any government ability to suppress the riots and allow a smooth overthrow of the current regime.

The unanswered question – as was the case in Gulf War I with Iraq and Saddam Hussain – will be with what or with whom to replace it.

His analysis of the leadership changes in Iran is valuable, though I disagree with his military solution. A must read.

Another student publication is banned

Iran Press News: Translation by Banafsheh Zand-Bonazzi

The student publication "HAMAAVAA" printed at University of Oroumiyeh was banned by the university's own Committee to Oversee Publishing and charged with: printing corrupting material, agitating public opinion, insulting officials and regime's authorities, printing and using news from foreign sources, inviting students to public protests.

Sajaad Neeknaam, Editor-in-Chief of this publications said that they shut the publication down despite all the proper documentation and reason refuting the charges. Neeknaam said that HAMAAVAA, after only publishing 115 issues had already found a great deal of credibility among University Students.

Regime's agents shoot the citizens of Mahaabad (Province of Kurdistan)

Iran Press News: Translation by Banafsheh Zand-Bonazzi

The regime's military and disciplinary forces attacked and beat the residents of the town of Mahaabad during their observance of Eid Fetr ceremonies (Feast of Salvation celebrated on the last day of the month of Ramadan). These clashes lasted 12 hours during which the IRI forces using guns and rifles randomly shot at locals.

The Organization for the defense of Human Rights in Kurdistan reports that early on Thursday morning, Nov. 3rd according to local tradition of Eid Fetr, the residents of Mahaabad attended the area cemetery to sit by the graves of their loved ones following which a large crowd gathered to visit the grave of the brave young Kurdish activist, Shuana Ghadri who was brutally murdered earlier this summer. A few of the locals attending the ceremony who asked for the release of the young prisoner, Mustafa Rasoulnia, were met with hostility from the members of the disciplinary forces who had followed the locals to the cemetery as crowd control; the situation quickly turned violent with the military and disciplinary forces attacking, severely beating and arresting the locals.

So far there is no definite information on the number of injured and arrested.

Regime's previous IAEA rep: We're starting enriching uranium in the Natanz plant

Iran Press News: Translation by Banafsheh Zand-Bonazzi

FARS, the regime-run news agency reports that the IRI's previous IAEA representative, Mohammad Kiareshi reiterated the need to recommence Uranium enrichment at the Natanz plant. Kiareshi said: "We should not pay attention to the threats regarding the enrichment of Uranium and just go ahead and restart operations in Natanz anyway. With this act, the last device which is publicity will be taken out of the hands of the westerners; the Americans and the European Union will never do anything more against the Islamic Republic than they already have therefore we must stand firm and decisively take our steps."

50% drop in foreign investment absorption in current Iranian calendar year

Iran Press News: Translation by Banafsheh Zand-Bonazzi

A regime-run newspaper reports that Hossein Salimi, director of the Association of Investment admitted to a 50% drop in the absorption of foreign investments in Iran this Iranian calendar year in comparison to last year this time. Salimi also mentioned that though there is no exact statistic on the foreign investment in Iran for the current year, that unlike other years not a single new foreign deal has been made so far and all existing investments are those that had been made in previous years. He added that the political and nuclear issues are the main reasons for such a noticeable drop.

Khatami handed out official state decoration & insignia illegally

Iran Press News: Translation by Banafsheh Zand-Bonazzi

According to Ahmadinejad's own site FARDA (named as such in order to confuse people with Radio Farda which is the Persian Broadcast of Radio Free Europe) Mohammad-Reza Rahimi, the secretary general of the tribunal of finance in a letter to various authorities has conveyed that Khatami granted many unauthorized decorations and insignia during his presidency; the letter demands that those gifts be immediately returned to the treasury. Farda's article also reports that apparently a copy of Rahimi's letter has also been sent to Khatami himself. Several of the politicians from Khatami's administration who had received these decorations are already being indicted on corruption charges.

Police attack protest in southwest Iran city

Iran Focus: a pro-MEK website

Dozens of people from the Arab-dominated city of Ahwaz, south-western Iran, gathered in the city centre on Saturday in protest against the arrest of their relatives during anti-government protests on Friday, one of the demonstrators told Iran Focus. READ MORE

About 70 angry and distraught relatives of those who had been arrested called for the release of their family members during the day’s protest, but were violently dispersed by the police.

Many were beaten and several were arrested by agents of Iran’s State Security Forces. Their whereabouts are unknown, the source said.

On Friday, clashes between people and agents of the SSF erupted in the oil-rich city as police launched a crackdown on a peaceful demonstration by close to 1,000 ethnic Arabs.

Ahwaz, the capital of the Arab-dominated province of Khuzestan, has been the scene of unremitting anti-government protests since the start of the year.

Syria and Iran obtain German missile technology, magazine says

Monster and Critics:

Berlin has warned German industry that missile- builders in Iran and Syria are obtaining sophisticated German equipment via criminal, Moscow-based companies, the news magazine Focus reported Saturday.

The equipment was initially being legally exported to Moscow, where the middlemen, posing as legitimate Russian industrial companies and research institutions, were sending it straight to Iran and Syria.

In the report, to hit the streets Monday and released in advance to the news media, Focus said the method was explained in a confidential warning to many German companies to be on the lookout for the ruse.

It said Iran was obtaining measuring devices, propulsion systems and guidance systems to enhance its Shahab 3 medium-range missile. The Shahab 3 is capable of carrying a nuclear warhead and could hit targets in Europe since it has a 3,500-kilometre range. READ MORE

Syria was obtaining such systems to modernize its outdated Russian-built Scud missiles, the magazine said. The Scuds are mainly seen as a threat to Israel.

The Berlin warning named 15 firms with addresses in Moscow, St. Petersburg and Samara which had been involved in such illegal deals in the past. Among them was an institute attached to the State Technical University of Moscow.

It was not clear from the Focus report whether militarily useful equipment had already reached Iran and Syria using the ruse.