[DoctorZIn]

I watched Michael Ledeen as well.
As always, he chastised the state department for calling Iran a democracy.

Iran is a democracy the same way Stalin's Soviet system was a democracy. In both cases, the regimes pick whom the people can vote on.

Michael pointed out, what we have been saying here, that the Iraqi shia mullahs want a separation of mosque and state. A growing number of leading mullahs inside of Iran are also urging a separation of mosque and state. Thus the regime is feeling increasing pressure and their plans for shia uprisings in Iraq are not materializing.

[AdmSmith]

If possible I think that this thread should focus more on the Iranian economy. It is in dire straits and I anticipate that we will see a big disaster the coming years if nothing is done. Several bn dollars are required annually in investments and they will not be given by Santa.

Iran, as well as Saudi, Russia and Libya, requires a high oil price to keep going. They are interested in preventing the Iraqi oil to flow. But I anticipate that the oil price in the spring will be much lower than today and this will put a lot of pressure on the above.