Iran – And Her “Economy of Resistance”

[Flag_Combo]

Actually there comes a lot of prizes with it. That's Iran's way of projecting soft power. Instead on investing in Hollywood, Disney, or establishing expensive military bases, Iran is expanding its influence in a much subtle and cheaper way.

Look at the map. As you can see Iran is surrounded by Islamic countries. Gaining their trust and respect will go a long way.

I have red that. But don't think for a moment, that if Iran just let it go, this hatred will stop. What did Iran ever do to Saddam when he invaded Iran? What had we done to KSA and rest of the gang when they all started supporting Saddam against Iran?

Iran influence in Iraq, Syria, Lebanon and Yemen is a result of its current policy. At least now we have 4 less countries to worry about compared to 80s.

Projecting soft power at the expense of our economic prosperity? really?seriously? I bet North Korea is also projecting soft power with their nukes!! The countries you mentioned are divided along the secretarial lines. How many more decades you're willing to try the same failed path? insanity is doing the same thing over and over expecting a different result and that fits the mullah policy.

""this hatred will stop""
I'm not trying to be rude, but that's a pipe dream you got there with a huge barrel of optimism attached to it.
we just have to agree to disagree, to me we need to look beyond ME region for prosperity. And you still haven't said how you can lead a bunch of people while they want to chop your head off? lead them with a gun pointing in their head? lets no kid ourselves !!!

 

[Arminkh]

How many more decades you're willing to try the same failed path? insanity is doing the same thing over and over expecting a different result and that fits the mullah policy.

Which path?

""this hatred will stop""

How? It has been going for thousands of years and it will go for another thousands of years.

Do you know when the Arab world started promoting the name of "Arabian Gulf"? Before revolution. Shah was doing the exact same thing you mentioned above. He was looking beyond the region. Hell, he didn't even consider the region in his policies. But Arabs held onto their grudge.

Yes, Iran was the police of the region back then and the rest of the neighbor countries were buddy buddies with Iran on surface. We all saw what happened as soon as Iran's synthetic might fell apart. Whole region turned against us almost immediately. Muslim countries as far as Libya sent men and support to Iraq, to finish off this Ajam nation once and for all.

I agree with you quoting Einstein about insanity. But please note what you are proposing has already been tested and didn't yield any result.

And you still haven't said how you can lead a bunch of people while they want to chop your head off? lead them with a gun pointing in their head? lets no kid ourselves !!!

Same way that they are fighting for us in Iraq, Syria and Lebanon as we speak. Or maybe you don't know? Why do you think Iran has a bigger clout in Iraq than US? Because it pays its allies better? Or why do you think KSA and Bahrain combined were not able to over throw Bashar Assad with their army of zombies? Because their Economies were weaker than that of Iran? Why do you think they can't get anywhere in Yemen? Because their F-15s and Abrams are not good enough?

No it all goes back to soft power. Iran has been able to convince those groups that matter in Iraq, Syria, Lebanon and arguable Yemen, that Iran path and route is better than those of KSA and et al.

Iran's strategy is working. The current economy problem is the result of the harshest sanctions ever imposed on any nation. Iran needs to find a way to get around the sanctions not change its strategy.

 

[Flag_Combo]

Which path?

The path of becoming leader of Islamic world! that path , the path where majority of people whom you try to lead actually hate you, want to chop your head off,the path of insanity.

How? It has been going for thousands of years and it will go for another thousands of years.

Do you know when the Arab world started promoting the name of "Arabian Gulf"? Before revolution. Shah was doing the exact same thing you mentioned above. He was looking beyond the region. Hell, he didn't even consider the region in his policies. But Arabs held onto their grudge.

Yes, Iran was the police of the region back then and the rest of the neighbor countries were buddy buddies with Iran on surface. We all saw what happened as soon as Iran's synthetic might fell apart. Whole region turned against us almost immediately. Muslim countries as far as Libya sent men and support to Iraq, to finish off this Ajam nation once and for all.

I agree of you quoting Einstein about insanity. But please note what you are proposing has already been tested and didn't yield any result.

I think you misunderstood me there, I was quoting you when you said " this hatred will stop"
I'm saying they will always hate us regardless so the sooner we give them the middle finger and move on the better we're gonna be. There're many many other countries in the world where we can have good relation without having to have a shared border. My point is we need to look beyond the backward ME Arab countries or even Pakistan or Turkey.

Same way that they are fighting for us in Iraq, Syria and Lebanon as we speak. Or maybe you don't know? Why do you think Iran has a bigger clout in Iraq than US? Because it pays its allies better? Or why do you think KSA and Bahrain combined were not able to over through Bashar Assad with their army of zombies? Because their Economies were weaker than that of Iran? Why do you think they can't get anywhere in Yemen? Because their F-15s and Abrams are not good enough?

No it all goes back to soft power. Iran has been able to convince those groups that matter in Iraq, Syria, Lebanon and arguable Yemen, that Iran path and route is better than those of KSA and et al.

Iran's strategy is working. The current economy problem is the result of the harshest sanctions ever imposed on any nation. Iran needs to find a way to get around the sanctions not change its strategy.

I'm saying at the end of the day if we make a deal with Americans/Israelis we're gonna be 1000 times better off than we're now plus we get to screw the PGCC countries while we at it. I'm pretty sure Israel would dump the Saudis & Co if they can make a deal with us.

We can not find a way around the sanctions that's just wishful thinking!!! Yes we can resist it but it will hurt our progress & prosperity as a whole one way or another. We need to stop picking sides or fights instead look inward and focus on our own people like Germany did after WWII

 

[AmirPatriot]

@Flag_Combo you are proposing going back to the old days of the Shah's foreign policies. Aligning with the US and Israel. For what? So they can rape our economy with imports? So they can con us in our "cooperation"? So they invade our culture? So they can backstab us whenever we want to make our own decisions?

I say no to that. I say we keep our independent foreign policy and don't hand it on a silver platter to the Zionists.

You're delusional if you think the west will willingly allow a powerful, independent Iran.

 

[haman10]

Some delusional brainwashed individuals from my country believe in pan-islamist concept of ummah. They don't know that as shia there is a real risk that in some regions of neighbouring countries they will be kidnapped and their heads sent to their moms in potatoe bags. The irony is that they are much safer in Israel or atheist china than in the ummah regions

Unfortunately you're completely right.

not 99%, but 100%.

@Malik Alashter bro, i think @SOHEIL has confused you with someone else .lol

 

[Arminkh]

We need to stop picking sides or fights instead look inward and focus on our own people like Germany did after WWII

If I were a proud German, I would hang myself today because of what my country has become. Giving up all its ambitions and selling cars? Not even having an army of its own? The only reason they can focus on their people is they are an occupied country with US bases all over and thus they are not worried about a foreign invasion. Middle east is a totally different story. Focus on your people only and don't mind what is happening around you and before you know your neighbors eat you alive.

Don't get me wrong. I'm not criticizing you or the Germans for their preference. However, that path doesn't lead to where Iran likes to go. Look at China, Russia, US in its infancy. A powerful country tries to shapes the geopolitical realities in its immediate neighborhood in order to make sure its mother land is safe.

Similar to this economist, I think a new economical block is taking shape. One that will be independent of US and its Dollar. Iran needs to survive long enough for that block to become well established. That's one of the ways round the sanctions.

 

[Malik Alashter]

@Malik Alashter bro, i think @SOHEIL has confused you with someone else .lol[/QUOTE]Seems to be

now you became atheist too or what?.

 

[raptor22]

I agree. Iran has vast resources (both in human and natural). Guiding all of that into production will give Iran significant strength for whatever goal it likes to achieve.

I think the first step is providing stability. Economy will not flourish in an unstable environment. I am a supporter of JCPOA only and only for that matter. Whether we like it or not, sanctions and threats, coming from the strongest country in the world is not going to help us. And I'm not talking about foreign investors, Iran has many rich people who know how to put their money to work in a constructive way, but when you don't know what is coming next month or next year, you would make safe bets like investing in gold, Dollar or real estate. Which is not what Iran needs.

If Iran government could somehow solve this dilemma, i.e. continue its independent path and somehow calm the waters, then I don't think much needs to be done. The economy will start to thrive again when investors' trust is gained.

The first election that I could clearly remember was first term of president Khatami back in 1997, I was a kid under 18 so I couldn't vote or participate in it but I watched entire candidates' debates on telly .. and also all presidential elections' debates and campaigns ever since ... in all of them without exception no one knew who was gonna stand as candidate till 1.5 months before election, moreover no one knew who was gonna be chosen as probable candidates' cabinet .. what would be their plan and how they are gonna act ...what is their foreign policy? economical plans? social and cultural plans? the same for upcoming presidential election, just some wordings days before elections ... mostly it occurs due to one particular reason which is placing the focus on the individual politicians and lack of real serious parties which must be active 24/7 not only 2 months before election ,in this situation people could know very well to whom their votes go and what are the plans ... that's why a wrestler or weightlifter that have no clue about managing a metropolitan city like Tehran would go to city council ... persons are preferred over plans and proficiency ... I hammering this point away 'cause governments give executive orders and its policies dictate the direction of the country for 4 years ..... one of main sources of unstable environment could be this .. a democratic environment that people voices is heard could build people's trust in a way that they could see where the system goes , and eventually they could have real businesses rather than gold and $ ...
Transparency is another crucial player regarding this matter corruption ,rent and bribery are very important too, but I am not gonna discuss it over here.

 

[Arminkh]

The first election that I could clearly remember was first term of president Khatami back in 1997, I was a kid under 18 so I couldn't vote or participate in it but I watched entire candidates' debates on telly .. and also all presidential elections' debates and campaigns ever since ... in all of them without exception no one knew who was gonna stand as candidate till 1.5 months before election, moreover no one knew who was gonna be chosen as probable candidates' cabinet .. what would be their plan and how they are gonna act ...what is their foreign policy? economical plans? social and cultural plans? the same for upcoming presidential election, just some wordings days before elections ... mostly it occurs due to one particular reason which is placing the focus on the individual politicians and lack of real serious parties which must be active 24/7 not only 2 months before election ,in this situation people could know very well to whom their votes go and what are the plans ... that's why a wrestler or weightlifter that have no clue about managing a metropolitan city like Tehran would go to city council ... persons are preferred over plans and proficiency ... I hammering this point away 'cause governments give executive orders and its policies dictate the direction of the country for 4 years ..... one of main sources of unstable environment could be this .. a democratic environment that people voices is heard could build people's trust in a way that they could see where the system goes , and eventually they could have real businesses rather than gold and $ ...
Transparency is another crucial player regarding this matter corruption ,rent and bribery are very important too, but I am not gonna discuss it over here.

I agree but at the same time, it seems to be a widespread problem and not only limited to Iran. That weight lifter know as much about running a city that Trump knows about running a country. We also all remember that Arnold was governor of US most important state, California, for a long time.

And as Trump's story showed, having permanent and well established parties is not going to solve much.

The way Iran's government has designed, doesn't encourage existence of strong parties. Why would any one need to join one any way? Here or in US, people join parties to have their financial and political support. According to a study, a successful presidential candidate, needs to spend anywhere between $10 to $50 million on campaign costs alone to get to top two. It's a lot of money and entities or people who have that kind of money, give it to parties not single people. On the short side, they also maintain a control over that party. For example it is well known that Republicans are supported by arm manufacturing companies so they usually like to start some kind of arm conflict somewhere in order to sell their supporters' weapons and return the favor.

The good thing about Iran political system is that at lease for now, the successful candidate doesn't owe anything to any cartel or billionaire (disregarding the potential bribery for now).

I still think people should vote for the person not considering his status as an athlete or .... but his personality and management skills.That can solve the problem but it needs a big boost in populations' political intelligence.

 

[Shapur Zol Aktaf]

The first election that I could clearly remember was first term of president Khatami back in 1997, I was a kid under 18 so I couldn't vote or participate in it but I watched entire candidates' debates on telly .. and also all presidential elections' debates and campaigns ever since ... in all of them without exception no one knew who was gonna stand as candidate till 1.5 months before election, moreover no one knew who was gonna be chosen as probable candidates' cabinet .. what would be their plan and how they are gonna act ...what is their foreign policy? economical plans? social and cultural plans? the same for upcoming presidential election, just some wordings days before elections ... mostly it occurs due to one particular reason which is placing the focus on the individual politicians and lack of real serious parties which must be active 24/7 not only 2 months before election ,in this situation people could know very well to whom their votes go and what are the plans ... that's why a wrestler or weightlifter that have no clue about managing a metropolitan city like Tehran would go to city council ... persons are preferred over plans and proficiency ... I hammering this point away 'cause governments give executive orders and its policies dictate the direction of the country for 4 years ..... one of main sources of unstable environment could be this .. a democratic environment that people voices is heard could build people's trust in a way that they could see where the system goes , and eventually they could have real businesses rather than gold and $ ...
Transparency is another crucial player regarding this matter corruption ,rent and bribery are very important too, but I am not gonna discuss it over here.

Well said..
Bro just look at the majlis. It's a mix of old men, carpetsellers, bazaris, clerics, mosque visitors.
This whole system and their mock/fake elections are intentionally designed and organized to fool and shame the entire Iranian nation.

We are one of the best countries in amount of corruption, road accidents and deaths, pollution/environmental problems, water and energy waste, amount of clerics in Politics and society, amount of religious holidays, lack of transparancy, lack of free press, jailing people for their opinion, scaring foreign investors and arresting them.

What do you expect? Iran becoming like Germany and Japan with these corrupt thiefs and murderers... Nothing will change as long as Iranian people believe and respect even 1% of them.

 

[Shapur Zol Aktaf]

I agree but at the same time, it seems to be a widespread problem and not only limited to Iran. That weight lifter know as much about running a city that Trump knows about running a country. We also all remember that Arnold was governor of US most important state, California, for a long time.

And as Trump's story showed, having permanent and well established parties is not going to solve much.

The way Iran's government has designed, doesn't encourage existence of strong parties. Why would any one need to join one any way? Here or in US, people join parties to have their financial and political support. According to a study, a successful presidential candidate, needs to spend anywhere between $10 to $50 million on campaign costs alone to get to top two. It's a lot of money and entities or people who have that kind of money, give it to parties not single people. On the short side, they also maintain a control over that party. For example it is well known that Republicans are supported by arm manufacturing companies so they usually like to start some kind of arm conflict somewhere in order to sell their supporters' weapons and return the favor.

The good thing about Iran political system is that at lease for now, the successful candidate doesn't owe anything to any cartel or billionaire (disregarding the potential bribery for now).

I still think people should vote for the person not considering his status as an athlete or .... but his personality and management skills.That can solve the problem but it needs a big boost in populations' political intelligence.

US is not a good example. You're comparing bad to worse/worse to bad. Australia, Canada, (North-west) Europe are better examples for democratic systems.

 

[Cthulhu]

Well said..
Bro just look at the majlis. It's a mix of old men, carpetsellers, bazaris, clerics, mosque visitors.
This whole system and their mock/fake elections are intentionally designed and organized to fool and shame the entire Iranian nation.

We are one of the best countries in amount of corruption, road accidents and deaths, pollution/environmental problems, water and energy waste, amount of clerics in Politics and society, amount of religious holidays, lack of transparancy, lack of free press, jailing people for their opinion, scaring foreign investors and arresting them.

What do you expect? Iran becoming like Germany and Japan with these corrupt thiefs and murderers... Nothing will change as long as Iranian people believe and respect even 1% of them.

I'm kinda agreeing with you, but ppl should try to correct this system from within, The 1979 Revolution was probably the worst fvck up that we could ever come up with in our history(if we don't come up with a worse one in future). Not only we replaced a non-democratic system with another one, we further limited our civil liberties and caused an 8 years of war on ourself that sent our countries back, and at the same time we fvcked our relationship with the west and turned them into our enemies. Now we got stuck with counties like Russia, China and India and they are exploiting our situation on daily basis cause we don't have any alternative, and created some big enemies for ourselves at the same time. If ppl were intelligent enough, they had to change the system from within with reforms instead of fvcking the hole system up. But not only ppl doesn't learn from that fvck up, they are so stupid that they want to change this system with another revolution instead of reforms, but with these enemies that we have and thanks to our government's internal polices, another revelation will disintegrate the country for sure.

 

[Arminkh]

US is not a good example. You're comparing bad to worse/worse to bad. Australia, Canada, (North-west) Europe are better examples for democratic systems.

Well let's talk about Canada. Talking to female voters, do you know what the top reason to vote for Justin Trudeau was? "He is so cute!".

 

[Shapur Zol Aktaf]

Well let's talk about Canada. Talking to female voters, do you know what the top reason to vote for Justin Trudeau was? "He is so cute!".

Is this your argument against the Canadian democracy..

 

[Arminkh]

Is this your argument against the Canadian democracy..

I have nothing against it. I say the people reason to vote for a person usually has nothing to do with his/her competency as a politician or leader. And that's across the globe not specific to Iranians.