The Iran War. Get Used to It.

The Middle East has caught fire. Uprisings have occurred, leaders have been ousted, Syria's Assad is grasping to remain in power, and Israel remains in a state of unease. The region has become ideologically war-torn -- a phenomenon induced at least in part by xenophobic language among Shiite and Sunni elements. War in the region is beyond imminent -- it has already begun.

Religious fundamentalists constantly use hatred to mobilize people. Violent rhetoric promotes social conditioning among mass movements. Inspiring persons to act with hate and violence through induction of national and or religious pride has become standard procedure throughout the former caliphate region. Sunni and Shiite actors have contributed equally to the fire.

Libya, Tunisia, and Egypt have been taken over by Muslim Brotherhood elements. In the mix of these nation-states' uprisings were numerous al-Qaeda-affiliated proxies. Iran's only true ally in the region, Syria, is forecasted to collapse by similar Sunni mechanisms.

There is no doubt that Iran has become a state a fear. Dr. Joan Davison, a professor of political science at Rollins College, states that "the politics of hate develops by stealth and then spirals as popular fears lead to conflict." The Islamic Republic of Iran developed hatred against its Sunni neighbors and the West long ago. With approximately half a century of global militant proxies resulting in some tactical successes, today, Iran has moved onward to full-scale war.

Iran's war has not been initiated through conventional means. Fighter aircraft have not been dispatched, warships have not launched missile strikes against critical infrastructure, and a mass army has yet to maneuver into foreign lands. Iran's war initiative has begun through asymmetric mechanics...

Truth or (more likely) disinformation, who knows:

According to informed sources inside Iran, Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has recently ordered the arrest of a number of prominent members of the Revolutionary Guards. He ordered to investigate them and others, who were not arrested, in a suspected plot to assassinate him.

The sources said that among those arrested and interrogated so far are some of Khamenei’s bodyguards. The sources conveyed that those arrested tried to convince Khamenei to visit Mlard missile base in western Tehran on November 12th. It should be mentioned that on that day a huge blast took place in this military base, which killed among others the head of ballistic missiles production and development unit.

Khamenei was assured that the base is safe when he was to attend a launching ceremony of a new missile.

It is said also that Khamenei ordered to investigate his son, “Mojtaba Khamenei,” who is considered a leading businessman and close assossiate with many military leaders.

Reports indicate that some of the leaders of the Revolutionary Guards were seeking a military coup against the Supreme Leader. Following his death, these officers planned to announce an interim ruling council and declare a state of extreme emergency in the country. This council was expected to be presided over by Mojtaba Khamenei.

http://www.albawaba.com/news/sources-plan-kill-iran-supreme-leader-thwarted-405257

True & worth repeating.
In fact, the so-called hatred, more like paranoia is not simply directed at 'foreigners'. It is (has been) also something the regime has fostered for decades. For example, pro-regime (often religious fanatics) or paid by the regime people spying on their neighbors, pro-regime parents even spying on their children & relatives, and then reporting back to the regime. People were told, from Khomeini days that it is their duty to uphold the ideals of the Islamic Revolution.
It is precisely in this deliberately created climate & environment that even the Regime, its cronies & leadership are constantly paranoid. The article in #20 #21 regarding Khamenei & his subsequent actions are UNsurprising, even if attempted assassination is untrue. The Regime fears itself as much as (if not more than) it fears an American or Israeli attack. It is also in this climate that members of the IRGC, etc.. are purged, sometimes (often) by the Regime itself. The IRI & its various clans operate much like the original Sicilian Mafia, both inside & outside Iran.

The Middle East could become almost strategically irrelevant, if we developed our energy resources enough to become both de facto energy independent and export our excess energy resources.

Yes, yes & yes. That's the way to move forward.

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