Jim Hanson on Iran

In an appearance on FOX, my old friend has a few thoughts

5 comments:

Assistant Village Idiot said...

A very encouraging report from someone who sure sounds like he knows more than I do.

Grim said...

Jim knows a lot about Iran. In fact, to my certain knowledge he knows much more than he said in this clip even about things mentioned in it. I was impressed with how he kept a straight face at some of the remarks by the host.

Dad29 said...

Optimistic. But succession remains a question.

Grim said...

I gather it's an open question by design: at least publicly, we've said that we are hoping the Iranian people will step up and pursue their preference. I wouldn't be surprised, of course, if there isn't a clean succession: for example, the Kurdish region in the northwest may secede, as may the Azeri in the north and/or the Balochi region in the southeast. Each of those has irredentist reasons to wish to be independent from the central government.

In the heart of Persia, there seems to be a push for a restoration of the monarchy. The Shah's people have been very active for decades in the US, so I wouldn't be surprised if he turns up in Iran once he's confident that he won't be killed for appearing in public.

Dad29 said...

Yah.....but reports are that the Palavi kinfolk are not well-liked inside Iran. OTOH, "reports" are usually propaganda from one side or the other.....

Ugh.