Iran: February 5, 2003

Archives

The religious conservatives that hold veto power over democracy and reform are on the defensive. Most of the population supports an American invasion of Iraq, believing that a democratic Iraq would be run by the majority (60 percent) Shia Arabs. Iran is currently the only nation with a majority of Shia Moslems (about 88 percent) that is run by Shias. In all other cases (mostly Iraq and other Gulf Arab states), the Sunnis run the show. A Shia run Iraq would open up the holiest Shia shrines and mosques to easier access by foreign pilgrims. Iran would also fear attack from Iraq less if Iraqi Shias. A democratic Iraq would also give Iranian moderates another weapon against Iranian religious conservatives. 

Iranian conservatives are releasing more moderates from prison and easing up on press censorship. This is apparently a result of the growing violence by moderates and young people just fed up with the puritanical attacks by religious conservatives.  

 

X

ad

Help Keep Us From Drying Up

We need your help! Our subscription base has slowly been dwindling.

Each month we count on your contributions. You can support us in the following ways:

  1. Make sure you spread the word about us. Two ways to do that are to like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.
  2. Subscribe to our daily newsletter. We’ll send the news to your email box, and you don’t have to come to the site unless you want to read columns or see photos.
  3. You can contribute to the health of StrategyPage.
Subscribe   Contribute   Close