“How could a group (MEK) despised by both sides (the regime & the Iranian people) be involved without alienating (the population)”
Opinions vary on MEK. They do have baggage.
The very fact that they have received long and hard bashing in the State media (and sacrificed lives) gives them some opposition credibility. Also, they come into this phase with a newly cleaned up image - moderate new campaign platform, and a glossy new media operation (both of which indicate intelligence service support to me). There has been a significant re-branding effort.
MEK is throughout the country, and has a good number of people willing to pull triggers. If you are going to adopt an “all of the above” strategy to take out the Mullahs, it is hard to overlook their potential, or find a comparable alternative. As a casual armchair observer, it seems that they have been selected to play a big role. If that is the case, then professionals have assessed their current, real political acceptability to the population.
After 100,000 hangings, and impoverishing the Nation, people will probably just despise the regime more.
NO matter how many rebrandings they get (and they’ve had several over the years) they are a cult. The ultimate goal is to take over & run Iran. The Iranian people won’t allow it.
An Iranian Cult and Its American Friends
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2763461/posts
MEK Is Not Part of the Iranian Opposition!
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2664078/posts
The Cult of Rajavi
http://www.nytimes.com/2003/07/13/magazine/13MUJAHADEEN.html
Washington’s dangerous (and deluded) support for the MEK
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2682690/posts
Lobbying for Terrorists
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2735182/posts