By Fareed Zakaria, CNN
From the White House to London's House of Commons and beyond...few Westerners have anything nice to say about Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
But there's one group that has glowing words of praise for Iran's President - and it's based not in Tehran, but in Washington.
The International Monetary Fund's latest report paints a pretty picture of Iran's economy.
It says growth has hit 3.2%, and will accelerate still further. Inflation has dropped from 25% to 12% in just two years.
And Tehran has managed to do what every major oil exporter can only dream of accomplishing: It's slashed subsidies on gas to recoup 60 billion dollars in annual revenue. That one-sixth of Iran's entire GDP.
Why is this happening? And how can it be despite years of economic sanctions?
What in the world is going on?
Some say the IMF's numbers can't be right.
But we have no reason to doubt their work. The fund reasserted this week that its projections were independent of the government.
The real story here is that Iran has actually begun implementing some economic reforms. For decades now, Iranian leaders have tried to wean its people off cheap oil - oil that is subsidized by the government.
Cheap oil that has no connection to real market prices is not sustainable. Iran knows it, and so does every country from Saudi Arabia to Venezuela. But in the same way that any talk of tax increases here in America is considered heresy, people in oil-rich countries believe as an article of faith that they deserve cheap oil.
So how did Iran finally cut out the freebies?
The backstory is a complex game of chess between Ahmadinejad and someone much more powerful - the Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei.
One theory goes like this: The Ayatollah thought cutting subsidies would make Ahmadinejad deeply unpopular. An ensuing revolt would then remove the one man who's come to challenge the Supreme Leader's power.
Another theory is that Ahmadinejad felt confident enough to go ahead with the reforms because he's crushed the opposition Green Movement.
Either way, he's played a smart hand. He's giving back half of the 60 billion dollars in savings directly to the people in monthly deposits. So every Iranian, man woman and child, is eligible to receive the equivalent of 40 dollars a month.
That kind of money won't make any difference to Tehran's upper classes. But that's not Ahmadinejad's constituency.
On the other hand if you're poor, if you have many children, and if you make sure the whole family signs up for the deposits, you'll probably be saying "Thanks, Mr. President".
The key thing to note here is that President Ahmadinejad had no choice, and neither did the Ayatollah.
Iran could not afford the subsidies anymore. Its economy is highly dysfunctional with many massive distortions and subsidies. And Washington's recent targeted sanctions are beginning to bite.
It is now harder than ever before for Iran to do business with the world. Most of the major international traders of refined petroleum have stopped dealing with Iran. Tehran now has to rely on much costlier overland shipments for its exports.
And it is now almost impossible to conduct dollar-denominated transactions with Iran. So we were left with the bizarre case last month of China resorting to the barter system to pay Iran for 20 billion dollars worth of oil.
The IMF has a point. Iran is implementing some needed reforms and as a result its economy is doing better. The irony is that it's happening - in some part - because of our sanctions. Talk about unintended consequences.
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Iran also built a prosperous arms industry in response to sanctions on arms during Iran-Iraq war. Sanctions have had many positive side-effects for them
Several other clarifications as well.Mahmoud Ahmedinejad did not 'crush' the Green Movement at all.Just that the movement did not remain green for very long.Sanctions,my American friends,have worked contrary to your expectations.As time goes by,in future,you will need to ask the Iranians how to dodge the sanctions and become more stronger.
I'd like to know how many of those who prepared the report for the international monatary fund have actually lived in iran and got paid in Iranian currency and paid their bills on daily or monthly basis. The electricity bill has gon from $8 a month to $150 a month. Natural gas price is been increased 10 folds and people can not even afford to pay for their daily needs. The average salary id about $384 a months with more that 50% of the population making well below the average salary. Just be honest! how much the iranian government has paid for this stupid phony report?
GDP growth and inflation don't really take in to account your ability to pay their electricity bill.
In response to clearvoice: I have lived in Iran recently and I have many friends and family there, Just like in the US they have problems too but they are living their life , what you think people who work regular jobs in the US can pay their rent??? how can you pay your rent of $1200 or $1300 a month for a small 1 bedroom in a middle class area when you are bringing home $2000 or even less??? you have to eat, you got utilities, insurance , car payment , etc.. so do not tell me Iran is the only country whose people are suffering. at lease In Iran people dont have debts up their Azz like US does.
I agree with you Amir. This is the trend in America. The government's constant propaganda of how great this country is, has left them totally oblivious of others. They should wake up and smell the coffee some day. That's why they don't like President Obama, because he's not bsing them to dead like those illiterate Republicans.
M. Zakaria is not denying the burden of other inflated costs to the average Iranian citizen. His main point is a political one> In a country where the average wage is $384, an additional $40 dollars per month for every family member is pork barrel politics at its best, and given all else unchanged, it is in fact a huge help for many families. In this instance the families win, as do the politicians. Isn't this what we envy in America?
Big deal, old useless weaponry......
The problem is the CHORUS in "The West" - everyone repeating the War Party line, few bothering to think. And the Green Movement - made up of Iranian liberals who idolize "The West" and its failed "solutions" - was part of that chorus of blind men. While we are busy reciting our fake indignation and fomenting strife, Ahmadinejad is innovating.
Well, maybe it's not pure innovation. The $40 per month stipend does resemble Nixon's "negative income tax" proposal. And I've been calling for such a offset for years. But such simple measures are impossible to implement, here in the moribund "West", where special interests have choked off the political system. However, they can be implemented and tested in Iran, Syria and other countries we are trying to destroy.
There may be hope for humanity yet - if independent countries can forestall our "Humanitarian" war-making long enough to innovate and show us that we do NOT know what is best for everybody on the planet.
As long as you have egomaniac countries like China who could care less about sanctions and needs and wants oil will always do business with Iran and help keeping it thriving. If China stood back like the rest of world. Iran would be in dire straits and begging for the worlds help and would be more then glad to remove their Nuclear program.
"Egomaniac" is the wrong word. China is pragmatic - very pragmatic, and that is a winning strategy in international relations. Western countries are far too idealistic wanting countries to change to meet the West's idea of moral. China couldn't care less what a country does to its people and will do business with anyone without attaching strings. That makes them very easy to get along with. That will make them more successful in the long run.
Why should they remove their nuclear program? The law needs to apply to everybody equally. When you discriminate against some countries and put other countries above the law, you turn the law into a farce. Then the international order breaks down and you are left with "Might Makes Right". That may be good for War Inc., but perpetual war is not good for ordinary people.
If you are concerned about nuclear weapons, why not agree to Iran's proposal for a nuclear-FREE zone in the Middle East. When the U.N. General Assembly voted on this proposal, the U.S. and Israel were the only two countries to vote against. That tells us which countries put their FAITH in nukes and which countries do not.
I think you overestimate the power of death and destruction - e.g., you can not use nukes to educate children or grow crops or sustain an economy or build a house. And you project your own infatuation with nuclear bombs onto other countries. Not all countries idolize nukes the way you do. Iran has explicitly rejected them, and years of inspections have turned up NO evidence that Iran is developing nukes.
Yeah, those lower income families getting $40 rebates PER family member PER month are definitely suffering under the tyranny of Iran's government. I'm not sure what that translates into as far as standard of living after any increase in fuel costs - but I'm willing to bet it's VERY SUBSTANTIAL.
With regard to what a country is doing to it's people - Christ, wouldn't mind that over here in the land of the free to be indentured to pay middle class taxes for OTHER MIDDLE EASTERN projects, like the parasite state of Israel and now Libya.
So you really expect they leave their nuclear program?Why?Becasue the ones that rule your country has successfully made a bogeyman of Iran and are trying to show that another USSR.They are forcing you to scare from Iran and always have that fear that one day Iran will nuke your city.The fact is that U.S always need an enemy to survive and use that to hide behind it's economical problems and ongoing wars.Someday it was Germany,Then Vietnam,USSR,North Korea,Iraq,Afghanistan and now Iran.U.S hypocrisy in it's policies shines like the sun.But unfortunately it's always night in your area.
csnord If you trade with a rouge country long enough, they will bite you when they get rich.
Dno't be idiot,the rest of the world can not stay back, they need to go on with there life ,same as America they have need and they will do what they have to,
Indeed, I never underestimate Ahmadinejad! He's extremely shrewd and crafty! He was sensible enough to see the mistakes Hugo Chavez made with cheap oil in Venezuela. Next month he will attend the UN Assembly in New York. Interesting to see if he would pardon the two American hikers Shane Bauer and Joshua Fattal, who are jailed for 8 years.
Well, again this is another misconception in west. Judisiary is a seperate branch in iran and president has no control on them. therefore ahmedinejad cannot pardon anyone, hikers or spys.
Or even stupid but innocent tourists.
Why would we or any highly technically advanced country need to send in a few hikers to spy? It’s the most absurd thing I have ever read, and this only shows how stupid, idiotic and Ignorant Iran is to boldly state that these Hikers are spies. We have some of the most sophisticated Satellites and planes on the planet to do our spying. We don’t need people on the ground to do what we used to do 50 years ago. Iran has no common sense, and every time they pull one of these outlandish maneuvers only helps to dig their grave deeper with the world community.
Hikers, yeah right !!
What were your innocent hikers doing in a war zone? Having fun?
It's sad, but I think you are right. Unless, their government has changed, he will have no say as to them. The government was separate from the decisions last I heard.
Yes, Ahmadinejad and Iranians in general seem shrewd - when compared with the political naivety we have inflicted on ourselves. We in "The West" - the Ziosphere - live in a comic-book world, with Good Guys killing Bad Guys. The War Party tells us who we're supposed to hate, and that's all we care about.
Samuel Huntington's "Clash of Civilizations" is all we know how to imagine. Khatami's "Dialogue Between Civilizations" lies outside our narrow mental horizons: Such a dialogue is barely even thinkable, for us.
It's easy for Ahmadinejad and others to run circles around this one-dimensional world. If we are not willing to broaden and humanize our perspective, then we will lose the future - if we haven't already lost it.
So lets stop learning to speak Chinese and learn Farsi and the Koran already.
You're right on! But the general populace in the US is as bright and deep as scarecrow!
Hikers, yeah right !!!! What were the "innocent" hikers doing in a war zone? Having fun? So what next? Water jetting in Afghanistan?
Why should he pardon them? Why did they go there? Or do Americans expect others to behave as they wish them? I remember a case when an American youth in Singapore sprayed cars with paint, was caught and the rod was applied to his back. The American President then thought fit to say that it was inhumane treatment. If that American guy would spray any car in Malta like that and be caught, the law wouldn't be quick enough to save him from being permanently disabled by said owner if not worse. Americans you are not admired and your mores are not admired either nor are your systems. Go back to being isolationist and let the rest of the world go on with its business. Your business is making armaments and hollywood movies which are basically the two major industries you have left.
Why, he must pardon this two people?we here in America trow parent in gel because they are loud with there children, and you want no punishment for there wrong doing, it seems to me that according to you, America can do no wrong,WELL IF YOU FILL SO SORRY FOR THEM ,GO AND TAKE THERE PLASE (YOU AND YOUR MOTHER,
Not that I want to speak well of Ahmadinejad and Khamenei (Down with the IR), but the truth remains that Iran is not a country easy to subdue. History has shown that every time Iran was conquered or defeated by some other faction, it came out stronger than before. The Achaemenids were overthrown by the Greeks, the Greeks were overthrown by the Parthians and latter Sassanids, the Sassanids were overthrown by the arabs and in turn, again, the Iranians overcame the arabs not just by throwing them out but by enriching their barbaric religion with persian art, litterature, science, architecture, etc.
The past 100 years Iran has attacked no country, though has been attacked by more countries than one can count on his hand. Yet still it stands and despite years of economic sanctions it has still managed to surprise us all. Just imagine what Iran could be, given a secular democratic government, in 50 years from now. You'll be looking at a renewed Middle-East entirely, not just Iran.
One can break the body, but never the spirit.
long live a free Iran.
Not true, Iran has attacked Israel, the US, Iraq, Syrians, Lebanese, among others. Also, these attacks happened under the IR regime, which you clearly don't support, and not under the previous regimes which were more peaceful.
I agree that Iran should change it's government as it would lead to more reforms and would have better relations in the world, especially if it's like anything like when the Shah was in power.
"... if it's like anything like when the Shah was in power"
yeh!! dream on...
saying iran attacked any other country it is just make me laugh. these are talks based on political bias rather than anything else. of course if one is a passionate zionist and AIPAC supporter then that is just another propaganda and no merit to discuss. By the way iran is progressing in several front and not just in ecomomy. talking of salt on wound.
please do explain how Iran attacked any of those countries?
Wishful thinking ain't getting you nowhere AI. The Iranian regime is one of the most disgusting regimes of all times, but they have never done anything wrong towards other countries. Just because they bark like dogs doesn't mean they're stupid enough to actually execute those threats. You americans on the other hand...
You did not mention Iran attacking UK , Belgium , Germany and Finland. Just 2 million Irish were killed in Iran's bombing Ireland last year
This is why so many people hate iran. people like you make up so many lies about them. The country has never attacked them. As a matter of fact, I don't even remember the last time iran has ever attacked anyone. The last time the COUNTRY was even in any type of conflict is when America's puppet Hussein in Iraq attacked them. I'm not talking about the individual terrorism either. We have that in our own country too. I'm talking about a "COUNTRY" attacking another.
Correction,the shaw was put in power by the west, and wend iran became influential in the world the west went in and distabilazed the country because there were losing control of the oil supply.and as far the alledged israel attack is non sense,israel is being doing some self inducted engury to justify the carnage,(there is no country in the world that want the land of israel) in reality israel is the one that want the world land, (beside the world economics domination allready in there hand).
The Russians and the Brits were the most "active" foreigners in Iran, preying on its oil! Were Shah Mohammed Resa Pahlavi be more sensible, he wouldn't have been ousted!
CIA toppled the duly elected government of Massadaq in 1953 because we considered him to be a communist. That set up the ground work for Shah's secret police (with CIA's blessing) to crack down on young students and anybody that we labeled a communist. Those actions gave Khomeni the legitimacy while he was in exile. He did worse than what Shah did and gave the Iranians what they were not seekin. With all the awakening taking place in the Muslim world, Iran will eventually see reforms although at a great human loss.
this's not quite true. just to talk about last two centuries. Iran was the battlefield of many troops and the Iranian weak governments had to power to say a word. stating from the early 19th century and the defeat of Iranian army by Russians in 1803 and 1828, through the strong economical and political control during the reign of Nasir al-Din Shah to the British and Russian occupation of most of Iranian lands during the WW1 and its aftermath.
Its been proven that iranian arms and men have killed americans in iraq.....so what are you talking about? Just becuae obowma is too wimpy to say anything along with his pansy military leadership....
Hey Ahmed! if thats your real name, what proof do you have that iranians are responsible for killings in Iraq. Is it the same evidence of WMDS in Iraq that killed nearly a million innocent people on a pack of lies. Are people like you that stupid and gullible to believe that. Iran is surrounded by U.S bases threatening it's existence and has pummeling iran with sanctions for over 30 years. You speak like your an inspector or a detective "ahmed". There is proof of the U.S govt supporting terrorist groups like JUNDALLAH AND PJak and of course the fascists MEK that your friend Saddam Hussein used train and protect.
AHMED, if that is your name. What evidence do you have. Who whispered in your ear and gave you that info. I have info that your a lap dog for propaganda. I have credible info, that Donald Rumsfeld sold chemical weapons and gave satellite photos to your dear Saddam Hussein. I have credible info that Iran's democratically elected president Mohammad Mossadeq, was overthrown BP GAS, and by the British Govt in 1953 and installed the dictator Shah who killed and tortured tens of thousands of Iranians. I have credible info that the CIA and MI6 also trained the secret police of the Shah and they showed tactics in to torture and kill. I have credible info that the US VINCENNES shot down an Iranian airline and killed hundreds of women and children. I have credible info that the CIA along with their partners the Mossad have been assassinating Iranian scientists. I have credible info that the U.S govt has been aiding and supplying weapons to the JUndallah terrorist group that targets innocent iranians. You "Ahmed are a coward, you have nothing but hate in your heart. When the bomb Iran which I am sure your drooling over, I hope your man enough to go bury the dead women and children, that's if your man enough. War mongers like you always thirsty for more hate and blood.
If you dno't want to be a victim stay home and mind your F*****ing business,dno't try to tell the world what to do,wend you can not get your house in order,USE THE ENERGY TO CALL THE ATTENTION OF YUOR ON POLITICIAN ,wich are the real criminals in this country (America,)
Democratic government are not the panacea that people in the west make them out to be since their leaders are always doing their darnedest to behave outside the rules, both personal and those of office. Accountability? You want to make everybody in the Western World laugh? Do you think politicians are accountable for your money in the West? If you go bankrupt personally or your company you end up in jail, the politicians bankrupt a whole economy and they knock on your door asking for your vote the next time round. YOU, WHO HAVE THE REAL POWER, LIKE THE IDIOT THAT YOU ARE, GO GIVE IT BACK TO THEM AGAIN. YOU CALL THAT DEMOCRACY.
A country that dares to reject U.S. influence is considered a problem. Its initiatives are invariably branded a threat, a lie or simply dismissed as laughable. Weaning Iranians off subsidized energy and other commodities was generally ignored until the IMF endorsed its results, triggering the predictable propaganda-tinged reaction in the Western media. Even economic reform, so close to the heart of free-market champions, couldn't draw an unbiased reaction.
Well, I would expect that America would see any country that does not allign itself (especially those who are outspoken against) with the US as a problem. Should it not be in the best interest of a powerful country to rid itself of governments which are counterproductive to its policies?
I was given a course by the Americans to stop shipments of dual use items that might be used in the nuclear industry. They got an American professor of Cypriot origin to teach us what they could be, how to spot them and to stop them. Before he continued I asked the eminent professor: Why should I do this work at all? If I were Iran I would do the same as Iran and arm myself to the teeth and nobody has the moral imperative to tell me otherwise. The professor told me that his presence was for technical purposes only and would not debate or answer political questions but he said, I suppose your government signed up something in the UN. I'm sure it did, I replied but it didn't ask me. You see honourable professor, it is called a DEMO-CRACY.....from DEMOS meaning people and CRACY.....meaning rule of. If you think that just because a party is voted to govt. it can oblige me internationally any which way because of a fable that is called POLITICAL PROGRAMME and therefore I have to abide by it, sorry, I have to disappoint you. That is the British and American brand of democracy, not mine.
The chickens are coming home to roost. In 1979 the Iranians overthrew the US backed hostages. We sanctioned them. When Saddam attacked Iran, we supported Saddam. When their government didn't fall, we claimed they supported terrorism. We sanctioned them. When 9/11 happened, we invaded Iraq and Afghanistan. These countries are geographically on both sides of Iran. When things didn't go as planned, we said it was Iran's fault. We sanctioned them. When they refused our DEMAND that they give us THEIR uranium, we sanctioned them. Through all of our right side of history, Iran has not only persevered, but thrived. They built their own navy, air industry, space program, and economy. Maybe, instead of demanding Iran be more like the US, the US should quit trying to bully the world, and meekly ask to be more like Iran.
Excellent response Rick. Of course, if you have your way, you will not appreciate what the iranians bring you. You don't understand that you cannot become a friend of theirs due to their devout beliefs that you are an infidel and your only recourse is death. Not too well thought out lefty!
How dumb you are, Bob. Infidels? Iranians are not violent people. You speak of Iranians as if they're the same people who bombed the Trade Centers. Remind me, how many of those hijackers were Iranian? ZERO! How dumb are you? There's a country in our back pocket whom we've consistently backed who are comprised of violent Muslims and that country is Saudi Arabia. You're too stupid for me to even try to rationalize with. I'm sure you voted for Bush and you wear camo hats and are scared of anyone who isn' t the same color as you. Unlucky. Why don't you educate yourself and stop being a burden to this country? Did you know that Being Informed is one of your responsibilities as a United States citizen? So you're not even a good citizen but you think you are because you are scared for your "freedom". Pathetic, pal. If I had my way, I wouldn't let people like you reproduce because you're not too evolved and don't bring much to the table. Stop only watching FOXNews and broaden your spectrum of knowledge. Is it any wonder that you're a mediocre human being?
I love you Rick, exactly what I have always said. thank god I found someone else on here who at least thinks fair
You see, you are really getting it at last. You know what Iran has as well that the USA will never have with respect to Iran: AN INCOMPARABLE HISTORY AND CULTURE. The ancestors of the Persians were the Medes. You know what the Medes did way back before Christ when they took PERSIA – THEY LIBERATED THE JEWS THERE AND LET THEM GO HOME FREE. I won't ask you to tell me what America did to manage its plantations in the south. So before America barks at Iran, it should get some culture, some history and smell its armpits because nobody is innocent and just because you disagree with certain people who have different priorities than you it does not mean they are tyrants. It doesn't mean that you are necessarily right either.
Correction
The second sentence should have said In 1979, the Iranians overthrew the US backed Shah of Iran, and took US hostages.
"We have sanctioned ourselves out of influence with Iran" – Pres. George Bush.
But AIPAC will continue insisting that the US sanction Iran because sanctions are meant as stepping-stones toward war.
In the last 30 years, the standard of living for Iranians has significantly improved on all indicators – literacy, access to higher education (especially for women) clean water and electricity, paved roads, hospital beds, child mortality, life span, etc. In fact Iran has become one of the world's largest auto manufacturers. And, the fact is that 1- there is no evidence at all that Ahmadinejad's election was in any way fraudulent and 2- Iran's nuclear program is not only perfectly legal, it is massively popular.
Word's largest auto maker? Please name some brands.
Why don't you ask CNN to send a reporter to the car manufacture in Iran for you to see, or may be CNN is busy reporting BS from Syria!
The entire UN security council has sanctioned iran so what are you talking about????
If it wasnt fraudulent then why did ahmadinejad slaughter his own people protesters??
Worlds largest automaker ...lolololololo....youa re one of those people that beleive what these muslim murderous dictators tell you....hahahahahah...worlds largest...whats the company called??? ?
Hey ahmed, i bet you are nothing but a jealous arab. What are you doing here. Dont you have to milk your goats and camels.
Ahmed is your real name Benjamin Netanyahu?
is "Paymon" your real name you disgusting Basji?
Of course these parameters have improved – it's 30 years!!! That doesn't give the Mullah monkeys any credit. Iran has become a technologically advanced country thanks to the Pahlavis; despite the islamists hate for the Imperial rule, in fact they have followed the Shah's footsteps when it comes to technological issues. For example: a few years ago they proudly inaugurated a spectacular very tall TV tower in Tehran...but they forgot to mention that this design was from the 1970s, part of the Imperial government's plans....
Imperial Persian Government for the people with Britain and America in the wings pumping the oil and selling armaments to Persia to fire on its people who weren't happy with the situation. You think that was a government for the people? Do you know what the word coterie means? Maybe you should and then you would know whose purposes that government served and how much it really did for the people.
AAL, You can say it again brother! During the same time frame Turkey and South Korea started from way behind where Iran was, and now .... Everything is great in Iran!! Just people are too happy and too high they demonstrate despite all crack downs. The Iranian regime does not even shy away from saying they have hired Basiji thugs to for the Internet propaganda (you see many of them here.
To Hass
Thanks for expanding on my comment. The US endgame is still Iran. The Arab Spring mess is simply a part of the US to further isolate Iran. In the US game of chess, the big prize has always been Iran. Iraq,Afghanistan,Egypt,Libya, and Syria are all just sacrificial pawns to get to Iran.
Itis not the US, Rick – it is Israel and the pro-Israeli lobby that's pushing for a war on Iran. They're foisting a sanctions policy on us that has no outcome except war – for the benefit of Israel. We could have opened up to Iran several times already, including accepting their 2003 comprehensive offer of negotiations that the Swiss sent us – but at each step we moved the goalposts and deflected/ignored/downplayed possible peaceful resolutions with Iran. Why? Because the real "threat" that Iran poses to Israel is that the US and Iran will start to get along – and then, who needs Israel anymore? Remember, when the US and China started to get along, the Taiwanese lobby in Washington was kicked aside. Israel doesn't want to become a Taiwan. That's why they don't want to see the US and Iran get along and will use all of their influence-peddling in Washington instead of lead us step by step down the path of conflict.
Rick is more correct on this, although I don't think the Arab Spring is as much of a positive thing as the administration thinks it is.
The US is helping it's ally Israel as Israel has been threatened by the Iranian regime to wipe it off the map. Also, with Iran developing a nuclear weapon and Iran's influence in various terrorist organizations in the ME, no one can be too careful.
The US won't abandon Israel as Israel is the scape goat of the Middle East because it's the only truely Western country there, and after Israel is dealt with, Iran will go after Europe and the US. If you doubt this, you only need to look at the Iranian groups that have been attacking American troops in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The real enemy of the Iranian people is the government. The current government is holding its people hostage to the rest of the world. It's using these economic handouts as a way to win the public and quell the opposition. Iran needs a government that isn't anti-west or anti-Semitic.
AI, again you're showing signs of political bias and brainwashing. Iran never threatened to "wipe Israel off the map". That's bullcrap and most intelligent people know it. Ahmadinejad said that "the zionist regime (NOT THE PEOPLE) will disappear from the pages of history just like the soviet regime." Unless you think that's some kind of threat to blow up Israel, I suggest you swallow your words and start reading up on this matter. There's already enough bad propaganda going around about Iranians, the last thing we need are a bunch of yes-men who accept every bit of information without even considering to think logically about it.
And if you think that Iran is capable of attacking Israel, the US and the entire Western world (+ NATO forces), I'll ask the farmer next door to bring you his donkeys so they can all have a good laugh at you.
Come on man, use your head for once!
I agree US policy in the middle east has always been guided by the AIPAC. Their influence was very visible when Congress invited Bini to address the Congress and gave him 49 standing ovations thereby undemining President Obama's initiative.. Presently there are a large number of Congressional delegation visiting Israel. Unfortunately US has compromised their principles of justice and law in order to please the Israel.
The last time we opened up to iran they said NOOOOO......and its not just the US, its the entire UN security council and the EU forcing sanctions on iran...including the IAEA...so where the hell you get your information from you lying zero.....
Hey Shahin, yes iran said it wants to WIPE Israel off the map...although it cant and never will be able too....also, if iran doesnt want to threaten the west and Europe then why they building missiles that can reach those places?? Go tell your ayatollah he lied to you........weak minded brainwashed fool...
the reform was not a result of sanctions. that was a plan that ahmadinejad started to do from 2008 and registered peoples members of their fomilies for paying the subsidies directly. you clime something untrue and repeat it so many times that you belive it as a truth.
To Hass. Again, you are correct. Add to that the fact Iran offered to give up its uranium for nuclear rods in STEPS, but the US adamantly rejected this proposal. But while the jewish lobby has an effect, the real interest is corporate greed, political power, and payback. Remember, It has been fifty years since castro deposed of the US backed Batista.
It's high time that someone outside of Teheran said to right thing about Mahmoud Ahmedinejad such as the IMF. It get's awfully old just hearing all the right-wing blowhards in Washington bashing him to no end. Like back in 2009, Ahmedinejad we reelected President of Iran due to the voting power of Iran's very poor, but the right-wing thugs in Washington still won't admit to this day, trying to choke it down our throats that that election was somehow rigged!!!
So Iran is prospering while the west is struggling to not be swallowed by debt and ineffective government. The empires of the middle east were the most powerful and advanced for a significant period of history, is the world swinging back that way? People tend to forget that much of our modern science and math originated in the middle east while Europe and the west floundered in a dark age. Maybe it's time the west stops criticizing the rest of the world and give respect where respect is due.
Yeah but that was centuries ago. What have they done lately? Should we really respect a culture that still stones women to death for adultery? (It's also done very slowly, and with small stones, by the way. So that the victim does not die all at once, you know? Indeed they are very ingenious over there, let's give them credit.)
Let us not forget that stoning that woman, who is only buried up to her waist, is an act of piety to their God and they feel very proud of it. Christians haven't done that since the Middle Ages. The Jews even further back. Do Buddhists? Hindus? Moonies? Holy Rollers, snake handlers or tea party terrorists? No.
The theory of evolution states that change and adaptation that improve a species' ability to survive are driven by stresses in the environment of the species in question. Slowly remove water from an environment and you drive the evolution of the field mouse to become the desert rat that has the ability to survive on little water. Same with countries apparently. Stress their economies and you drive their evolution and they adapt and even thrive. Perhaps, we should ensure that they are not under any stress at all so they can continue with their costly and counterproductive subsidies. Maybe that is a quicker/smarter way to bring their economy down.
Good opening Fareed Zakaria.
l agree with you, systems are the building blocks of every country, which affects the people.
GOP leaders in America should not be allowed to run this country to the ground, while trying to make Obama a one term president. Not like they have a better replacement that could have done better or have any recovery plans from the mess they created. Our check and balance system is not working for the people when ran on emotions.
What we need to manage America system, are intelligent people, not emotional people.
Did those republicans march on than forcefully storm and occupy a State Capitol building? No. Did they bring minorities out in the streets to protest and throw bottles? No. Are they picketing outside one of Obamas many vacations spots with signs calling him a murder and hanging him in effigy? No. Show me where any republican has told a segment of any other political party to go to hell. But Obamas VP, and the Senate Leader. Biden, did call a minority of one party in the house Terrorists. Obamas silence spoke volumes. The blame and hatred i hear is coming form the Left and is getting much worse. We will see this next election just who is causing the violence. But like you said, its about who gets to run the country. Its about Power.
i wish when i shared you videos they would be able to be played on facebook. it would be nice. MSNBC videos can do it i wonder why CNN is still not there. wish it was.
Dear Fareed,
I rarely disagree with your political analysis of Iran but I have to disagree with you on this one.
Here are the facts:
1. State Subsidies were removed. This had been planned for several years during Moderate President Khatami’s tenure and was supposed to be phased in slowly over time. Ahmadinejad implemented the changes over-night.
2. The price of gasoline was raised five fold to match the price in other Persian Gulf countries. The energy source for public transportation (for example Taxis) had been partially converted to compressed natural gas years ago, so that didn’t sound bad at first. However, this was followed by a seven fold increase in NGC cost.
3. Prices of bread, milk, rice, meat soared. Rice and red meat now cost more in Iran than in the U.S. based on the current exchange rate.
4. Residential and commercial sectors electricity subsidies were removed.
5. In exchange for removing all these subsidies, each person in the country received a $40 check.
6. Wages for government workers remained the same, Taxis were allowed a 25% fare increase. Many private sector factories are losing money and unable to pay their employees now.
7. In addition to saving close to 100 Billion dollars in the subsidies, the government, thanks to historically high oil prices, brought in another 600 Billion dollars in oil revenues in six years. The revenue during these six years topped total Iran’s oil revenue for the preceding 96 years since the discovery of oil in Iran.
8. A Revolutionary guard general was recently appointed as the oil Minster. The guards now have more control over Iranian economy.
Given all these facts that can easily be looked up in sites such as http://www.bbc.co.uk/persian , how can an economy not only shrink but grow and how can it improve the standard of living of lower income families? It just doesn’t add up. What would happen if this were to happen in any other country?
Thanks to the point. Please read my post way down below..
The Pragmatic
1-The reforms were announced by Khatami by he never implemented them as he was too affraid of removing subsidies. Ahmadinejad announced them and introduced a far greater changes to the Majlis in his FIRST term which sat in the Majlis for over 2 years.
There are nothing pragmatic about your comments. The prices of oil were below $30 a barrel for the first 18 months of Ahmadinejad's presidency. So how could have Iran gained $600billion over the past 6 years? Iran's own declarations usually puts total income from oil at about $80 billion per annum after the price increases. You must be getting your numbers from the hidden imam.
Honesty and Hrad Work not BIG or SMALL government should be motto of any political party.
Will be in a nuclear Winter soon.
Iran administration is very corrupted. They should curb corruption. People are also very lazy and do not pay taxes. They are used to easy money. They should do something for their future, the time that they become more populated or more in need of new things. Their society is only consumer. The car manufacturing is a plight for Iran economy and daily life of people. Otherwise, establishment of Iran is independent and patriotic and should be supported by the intellectuals around the world to get time to correct themselves and gradually joins as an equal member into the world community without being pressed to leave their tradition. Yes, give them time; they are not dangerous to peace of the world. They have too much work to keep them busy to themselves.
I don't like Ahmadinejad. I think that the opposition is better. However, you got to admit that he is pretty smart.
It is surprising how disconnected GPS's commentary is from the realities in Iran. Economy has never, not at least from 1960's, been so bad. The inflation rate within past year has climbed to over 25%. Unemployment is higher than ever. The rate of businesses failing, something very uncommon in past 40 years, is astonishing. Political and social discord is worst than ever. There is a fierce political battle about how the Government is manipulating the reports to soften the harsh realities. I do not know where IMF gets its number but go tell an average family in Iran about 12% inflation rate and see their reaction. How in the world could fuel and energy jump 300% foreign exchange jump 35%, Postage jump 350%, food and general commodities jump 50% all within past 6 months and we can believe IMF 12% inflation????
Iran's economy is still smaller than that of Pennsylvania or (probably) New Jersey. The Iranians are still in sorry economic shape.
What an ignorant idiot! For your info, Iran's economy is the eighteenth largest in the world and it is predicted to become the 12th largest by 2015. Compared to Pennsylvania whose economy would rank as the 28th largest in the world if Pennsylvania were an independent country. All of these facts were taken from Wikipedia.
Words of wisdom: next time, get your facts straight before making a lousy attempt to spew misinformation.
I don't agree or disagree with your comment. But for God's sake people, Wikipedia can be edited by anyone, including the misinformed, so please stop using that as a reliable source.
That is all.
Shahram, Wikipedia is not always unreliable especially when it has citations to back it up. In this case, the original facts on Iran's economy came from CIA fact book and IMF and facts on Pennsylvania's economy originated from "Bureau of Economic Analysis". Don't take my word for it, look them up yourself.
I guess we'll have to ask ourselves: is Iran's growth sustainable and is it bringing wealth to people? Iran is isolated, it grows through internal consumption, not through international trade. IMF just quantified some indicators, but didn't measure the actual wealth created for the masses.
I believe that, unless Iran makes structural changes in its economy, the growth will be short lived.
You gotta love this story...a real fairy tale....but I think the real story is iran's announcement yesterday that they are moving their centrifuges to the fortified underground bunker at fordo. Remember, obama pledged in his 08 campaign to never allow iran to acquire or produce nukes. Will this president stand by that statement? How will he accomplish this? THESE QUESTIONS need to be asked and answers demanded.
Obama's promise for a nuke-free Iran are about as far fetched as Bachmann's $2 gas. Believing campaign promises is a waste of time.
High gas prices do not bring a therm-nuclear weapon falling on your city. One is running for the nomination of a party, the other was the nomination of a party for the POTUS. and he won. Then he want across the Mid East shaking their hands, bowing deeply and asking Iran to unclench their fist and take his warm hand in friendship. Iran is doing what now?
Iran will not attack any country because its very afraid of the america.
You mean Ahmadinejad's economic advisory team has the savvy. Ahmadinejad himself has the brains and savvy of a baboon.
I don't know... I think he is actually prettty intellegent, he just uses his intellegence in ways most of the modern world considers baffoonish.
Little minds from little people! Grow up already! He has 2 PhD. How many do you have??!! hahaha!! idiot
You haven't been listening at all to him. While I may not agree with his viewpoint or he is very clever and can discuss topics that some of our own presidents have been only been able to approach by mumbling and stuttering.
Graet!! good job Mr. President!! Maybe he can fix the U.S Economy for us
You better not be one of those who calls Obama a socialist, because inviting Ahmadinejad to fix problems in the US is a pretty dangerous idea.
One day people will wake up and realize that money means nothing in a country where its people are controlled in every aspect. Most likely, this will happen when the next Chinese revolution happens and their country gets thrown into turmoil, which if history is taken into account will be within 15 years.
When money is controlled by only the rich, civilian uprisings start. People think America has a rich problem, yet they have NO clue what that really means. The people of Iran are not given any ability to move above where they are at when they are born. I grew up poor and live in the middle of the road of middle class now and I love it. That's something Iranians cannot do.
Do you really think the people of the US are not controlled? You need a god damned picking license to pick some mint from a state park. Puh-lease. The freedom you think you have is in your imagination only.
Are there Iranians wearing a smile??? I haven't seen one unless we count Ahmadinejad's smirks when he thinks he's being clever. It's amazing that Iran's population are so weak that they can't make a move that isn't approved by the primitive acts of religious zealots that make it up as they go along.
The IMF must not be recruiting its analysts from the top of the food chain anymore. Yes, there is a very sensible explanation on why Iran's govt has been able to implement cuts in subsidies- It has put in prison, tortured, or executed anyone with a significant voice of grievance with them. Not very difficult to push your political/economic policies when you kill anyone that disagrees. Fareed Zakaria is an idiot
Also remember that China, Pakistan, Russia and many others who do not have our best interest at heart knows they will have a ready made market every time the UN throws sanctions at a country. That is why they appear to appose them in the UN or abstain from any comment. Than once it passes flood the place with everything they can sell. That is why their oil companies move in and modernize the Iranians, that is why high tech, such as in anti-aircraft radars and tech, has made such a leap these few years. We are the dupes.
Regime Change!
Preferably one that does not serve the West's interest like the Shah's regime did.
Fareed Zakaria is a hack for the White house and their brand of ideology. Just this week Fareed Zakaria was pondering the ways having a Prime Minister, and hence a Parliament, was better than the bicameral system we have now. He believes in "free" universal healthcare, gun control and many other things those who are from Europe push on other people. Sure he wraps his ideology in fancy words and an exotic calm voice but this shrill for the Left is fooling nobody. Reading this story one gets the feeling that he is relishing the improving Iranian economy and proud of their poke in our eye. Yet when Iran was hanging gays from cranes in the Capitol square i heard silence. When our innocent hikers were sentenced to 8 years in an Iranian dungeon, where was his quick wit? No, to him anywhere is better than the USA. Except on pay day. Disgusting little man.
Hikers, yeah right !!!!
What were your innocent hikers doing in a war zone? Having fun?
So what next? Water jetting in Afghanistan?
Hundreds of "innocent" Mexican joggers are being shot killed along US border yearly.
What would have US done to Russian / Iranian hikers sneaking along its borders?
Stop believing you are above all laws!
You should face the consequences when you do something wrong!
Fareed has no respect
S_ck this allahbeensobad.........8==>
Actually he is quite smart and has iran in good economic situation...we could learn from him
So why are so many people in iran living in poverty??????
You mean the poor people who are already living in poverty? If you mean the well-off people who are now living in poverty, then I'm afraid you're misinformed.
If the oil comes from government land then I think citizens should get it cheap. Why should international oil corps get huge profits off something that belongs to the people? Not that profits are bad, but saying that the citizens that own the land that the oil comes out of shouldnt get anything is plain wrong.
Good for Iran. We should stop beating the war drums against Iran. This is a modernized country with some very smart people in charge, regardless of how the media spins it. We should talk with Iran, teach them things, learn from them. This demonizing or Iran that continues here in America is senseless.
I'm sorry he like all muslims/islamists are like rabid dogs period.
Why don't you shove a corn cob up your ass?
Becca, you sound like you were molested in a church when you were a child.
You are an ignorant fool. Go back to high school history and read up on the inquisition.
Why is Iran not helping the poor people of Syria? Oh yes. They are helping Assad to kill his own people. Where is the help from one Muslim country to another. No answer!!!!! Yes Iran is very modern. They stone women to death. They maim their own children and they still hang and cut the heads off of prisoners. Very modern country. Bullsh&t!!!!!
"Helping Assad to kill his own people"? Do you think Assad woke up one morning and said to himself "I think I will start killing my own people!"? Or do you think there might be some REASON why people are being killed?E.g., Could it be that Sunni radicals are trying to overthrow Assad's secular regime? What would the U.S. do if a large group of people set out to overthrow OUR government?
ANY country in the world will try to put down such a rebellion. If the rebellion succeeds, it could lead to sectarian strife or civil war and hundreds of thousands dead. Ask Lebanon!
But you don't ask questions or think things through. You just recite the War Party line. The War Party tells you to Hate Assad, and pretends that everyone Will Live Happily Ever After once Assad has been killed. Revolution is depicted as if it were a lark. The Syrian people know otherwise - those who are not out in the streets. They need to make some very sober decisions.
I'm all for reform in Syria. When the rebels were supporting reform, I was supporting them. But when Assad started to actually MAKE reforms, the rebels suddenly switched from demanding reform to demanding blood. That's when I began to see Assad as the LESSER evil. I think he should resign, but peacefully, after a transition process is in place.
It's important to know when to press and when not to press. Too much pressure creates an explosion, and then we lose everything. That happened in Iran in 1979, and it has taken Iran thirty years to outgrow the blind revolutionary zeal and gain a more pragmatic approach. Revolution should be a last resort, not the latest fad. If we're not willing to LIVE for freedom, dying for freedom is not going to help us.
Thanks for serving! Please help illuminate the children commenting on this page (that have never left the block) that they shouldn't comment on things they haven't experienced first hand.
31 years ago there was a same movement, not far from Syria. People with automatic weapons were walking down the streets searching for the Shah’s supporters to kill them. Same people with AK47, G3’s, Uzi’s, and Colt 45’s were looting and killing other people. They thought they had a great revolution, they thought Ayatollah Khomeini was their savior!! They thought wrong…
31 years later these so-called men of god are still killing, torturing, and looting a whole country. I hope Syrian people learned something from this history. I hope this a different revolution, different movement. I wish the best for all freedom fighters around the world. May there be lasting peace and freedom for all who seek it.
Time is near for the Persian people to take what was taken from them 31 years ago.
People LOVE to hate on Iran, but the sanctions are simply helping it become more independent and powerful. The reality is that the "green movement" is very small, and most people do not mind the Islamic Republic. It has given them good economic growth .
imagine how well Iran would be doing if we (rather israel coercing us) weren't strangling it with sanctions. Herein lies the problem: Israel is deathly afraid of a large economic, technical, and intellectual powerhouse in the 'hood. It was never really about nukes.
BTW the Iranians have approached the US several times over the past decades. In all occasions, the US snubbed them.
No matter how hard Mullahs supporters bark here on internet or any wher else, Iranians have shown the world that this reactionary regim and all bloody mullahs must go to hell, for those who rub mullahs balls I say sock it as much & as hard as you could because your days are numbered.
This regim has no mercy to it's own funders(eg. Montazeri, Hashemi Rafsanjani & etc), mullahs are bunch of liers & murderers, we'll kick them out, you better find a rat hole for mullahs, oops, Syria or Libya is not safe anymore..
Sima, crawl back under the rock you slithered from under! You're not Iranian you're just a wanna-be azz-kiss of the west. Or just a marginal person that will NEVER see Iran again. Go kiss azz!
How m uch u got paid to suck mullas balls?? U must be agent of mullas in US
Sima, how much were you paid to repeat the Jewish-controlled media's crap?!
You Shah-supporters slayed, tortured and betrayed all Iranian's and gave away all our national resources.
We may not like the Mullah's regime, but we (Iranians) definitely hate the USA puppet Shah-regime, and its supporters.
Good people like you do not live in Iran any more. We got rid of garbage.
3.2% GDP growth is not a lot for an emerging economy. Emerging Economies can sustain far greater growth in the beginning. This is not a fancy macroeconomic principle, this is called the law of diminishing returns. Iran's growth should be and could be far greater than 3%. If Iran had the appropriate political governance to match its highly educated population, the sky is the limit.
Slow news day as this story doesnt cover Iran's expanding unemployment rate. 10-14% in 2 years
Only Fareed could see economic genius in a country that is very much a basket case.
Fareed is simply too close to obama to believe anything he says...
obama uses all manner of people to help him indoctrinate the general public to think in certain ways....buffett, fareed, thomas friedman, union bosses, media folks at nbc, abc, cbs, and of course cnn.....its all so orwellian ...but is BUSH did this, the left would be screaming bloody murder....ah yes, the hypocritical left.
Jon, your Orwelian comments have nothing to do with left and right buddy. They play both sides.
For the sake of the innocent Iranian people and the "Western World," Mahmoud Ahmadinejad needs to be ASSASSINATED !!!!!
I think for that sake, US should stop supporting Israel
Oh what a web we weave
Rescission salutations;
1.Change to a six hour work day.
2.Change to a three day weekend.
3.Ten weeks paid vacation for everyone mandatory.
4.Early retirement with full salary.
5.Zero income tax for the working class.
6.Ban inflation.
7.Ban medical insurance. We don't need any more medicine men shaking there rattles over our dying children.
8.Legalize healthy fresh foods.
9.Require all processed foods to be labeled “toxic energy supplement”.
8.Bring back all our boys. They are solders not pillagers.
I don't agree with your first 4 ideas, but the last 6 are great! We should also cut off the Federal Reserve, or at least raise interest rates so people will actually want to invest capital.
Maybe Americans should stop considering themselves above all laws, and start believing that we do not have solution to all world's problems. We really need to stop wasting our tax money to fight Jewish ideological wars and their dreams for Armageddon !
We are just tired of all these pointless and endless wars.
Well said Dave.
Fareed Zakaria says:
"Cheap oil that has no connection to real market prices is not sustainable. Iran knows it, and so does every country from Saudi Arabia to Venezuela. But in the same way that any talk of tax increases here in America is considered heresy, people in oil-rich countries believe as an article of faith that they deserve cheap oil."
Why compare it to tax increases in the U.S., Fareed? Why not instead compare it to subsidized HEALTH CARE in the U.S.? After all, cheap health care that has no connection to real market prices is not sustainable, right?
But of course, saying so is considered heresy, because people in rich countries like the U.S. believe as an article of faith that they deserve cheap health care...
My government should take care of it's people. healthcare is fundamental in a successful functioning civilization. I don't pay taxes to subsidize Exxon Mobil or BofA. I'd rather it support the people. It's not a profit machine, like (insert corporation name here).
For more info on events in Arab world read the groundbreaking novel -- king of Bat'ha
For all the countries that do not do business with Iran due to sanction, there are a few that might. For the few [countries] that do business with Iran, they in turn do business with another countries. What happens is the oil does trickle through society's nooks and crannies eventually finding its way into our gas pumps. I do not understand how a country's people can have an uprising and we can say the economy is well. America has endured many different hardships, but we overcome. We have made mistakes we are human, and unfortunately we do police the world; however there are some neighborhoods in America police won't go into. We could destabilize Iran within days if not weeks.
Interesting that sanctions had the same effect in Iran as import tariffs would have for the US. Higher employment, sefl -reliance, necessitating economic practices that strengthen the domestic economy.
Countries that practice protectionist economic policies are doing far better than those that are suffering the ill effects of free trade agreements. Yes, products may be more expensive, but not in the long run. Outsourced goods are generally cheaper quality as well. Greed that forces cost cutting measures that save a bit using pot metal rather than higher cost refined steel has its detriments for the consumer, not for the manufacturer: planned obsolesence
The main thrust though, is domestic industrial development and domestic jobs: the Value Added completed by domestic labor, Not the off shore employment and industrial growth in foreign markets
"Ahmadinejad's economic savvy"–So Ahmadinejad says to Obama–I'm here to help you with your Recession Depression–And Obama says–OK, what do you suggest ?? Print more Money–Sounds good to me–
IMF would analyze economic situation from statistics obtained from their sources. In Iran's case, all statistics are phony, fabricated by regime and its proxies. There is no in dependent source in Iran to gather such data. In best case scenario, the IMF report could be a bureaucratic output of using false inputs. The statistics are conveniently given to IMF economists by regime operatives (if not sweetened by a gift of Persian Rug or Caviar!). From what we here from relatives living in Iran give us completely different picture. The price of food have risen four fold in one year. The cost of utilities has risen 10 fold after removal of subsidies. Most people have not paid their Electric and Gas bills in last three months. The government has not disconnected the services in fear of major uprising. The 90% of factories are closed. The economic situation is not definitely sustainable. Infusion of $40 per citizen (even if can continue) cannot cure an ill mismanaged economy. It is a ticking bomb that will certainly dismantle mullahs regime (as it did USSR which was far more sophisticated).
Exactly. Thanks Arash. The fact is that Zakari Fareed is out of touch with Iran's reality and he is nor an economist or political analyst. He is just a plain reporter. Read my post down below please and comment. Thanks!
Thanks! Where is IMF getting its info from?!
Zakaria (CNN) can't help, to distract positive news about Iran, through so called theories....
Ahmedinejad was asked by reporters as to why he brings sandwiches made by his wife for his lunch. His answer was what is wrong with my wife'e sandwiches. Maybe if a few western leaders did the same they may solve their own economic problems.
To the writer of this article:
The subsidies have actually been working with the subsidies people were able to buy gasoline, bread, meet, etc but the most important thing to survive.
Now that subsidies are removed people are not able to buy 1kg of ground beef which is $25/kg. Or one bread which is $1. Before when there was subsidies 1kg of meet=$8 and one bread was $0.1...you got the picture?
Now on the note of rivalry between Ahmadinejad and Khameni...now this is important get low to this...not to many people know about this...you have to be a political analyst and a damn good one. I am but you are not!
Last month the $40 help per head of house hold that Iranians get ever 2 months was later by 7 days!! and People were about to get into streets...Ahmadinejad and his team control the subsidie cash help...now we all know that Ahamadinejad's right hand man Mr. Mashai has publicly said that Khameni is in office for two more years...
Now, what they will do and what Khameni is fearing is that if they don't give people's money after two months...everyone will blame Khameni and they will go after him...because everyone in Iran thinks Khameni is the one behind all this...which is kinda of true...he was dumb enough to approve Ahmadinejad's economical reforms and plans!
31 years ago there was a same movement, not far from Libya. People with automatic weapons were walking down the streets searching for the Shah’s supporters to kill them. Same people with AK47, G3’s, Uzi’s, and Colt 45’s were looting and killing other people. They thought they had a great revolution, they thought Ayatollah Khomeini was their savior!! They thought wrong…
31 years later these so-called men of god are still killing, torturing, and looting a whole country. I hope Libyan people learned something from this history. I hope this a different revolution, different movement. I wish the best for all freedom fighters around the world. May there be lasting peace and freedom for all who seek it.
Time is near for the Persian people to take what was taken from them 31 years ago.
Jesus is the way
I got $300 from George W. Bush a few years back... right before he indebted me to the tune of a $100,000. sure with he would have kept his $300 and debt to himself.
Iranian economy is the worst it has been been for the past 50 years, unemployment well in to the high 30's low 40's, the private sector is practically dead, the dissatisfaction of the people the highest it has ever been. currently the only sector in Iran that is doing any kind of business is the SEPAH( The iranian revolutionary Islamic guard, run by Ayatollah khamenei).
Poverty is increasing in an alarming rate , the majority of the population don't have money to pay rent, buy food or cloths
for their kids. How can any one compare the Iranian economy to the US economy. Iranian economy at it's best during the Islamic republic, was still 1000 times worst than the US economy today!!!
Mr . Zakaria with all due respect, you have absolutely no idea what you are taking about. If I were you I would stick to analyzing the economy of india , pakistan or Bangladesh!
This is a joke. This terrorist regime sends any money it makes to terrorists instead of helping the Iranian people. The Iranian people are the one's left suffering from a regime in which their welfare means NOTHING.
Very True. It seems to me that Basji thugs are the only one who have Internet access in Iran now!
Where is IMF getting its info from?! Iranian government?! The Iranian Central Bank has NOT released the inflation and growth figures for over 2 years!! Phony data perhaps based on phony reports from the Islamic regime.
Friedmanite think tanks from Chicago Ill in last 50 years have gone global by training economists and implanting them in strategic countries. No country is immune. Possibly they have indoctrinated this fella by now – corporatist country since the "shock and awe" happened
Ahmed & mostafa, how much are you paid to suck mullas balls? you two must be agent of mullas, allthose f..ing mullas & ahmadinejad have brain of donkey (not even a baboon as some one says in a post).
Can I simply say what a relief to seek out someone who really is aware of what theyre speaking about on the internet. You undoubtedly know the way to convey a difficulty to light and make it important. Extra people must read this and perceive this facet of the story. I cant believe youre not more widespread because you undoubtedly have the gift.
Saeed, these Americans thinks that they are the only rich people. Libya, 200 Billion of frozen assets, 6,000,000 and there are Americans worried that America have to give money to Libyans to put them on the road to democracy and reorganise. You know what 200 Billion are: 200,000,000,000 divided by 6,000,000 – You know what? that is more than $30,000 for each Libyan citizen not to mention the oil reserves and assets in other countries. Libya is many times richer than the USA per capita and it requires neither American largesse nor pity. All these people need to do is get down to business and then you will see legions of American businessmen coming to this North African country and the Mediterranean to kiss Libyan ass for contracts – AS THEY HAVE ALWAYS DONE, from HALLIBURTON TO DOWELL.