By Fareed Zakaria, CNN
Here is my snapshot from a brief visit to Iran. I thought it might add some color to the picture you have of Iran.
Tehran is a big, sprawling city of 8 million people, nestled in a semi-arid plain in the shadow of the Albroz mountains. The highest peaks of these mountains are always snowcapped, with a well-known ski resort. Yes, Iranians ski.
My first impression of Tehran was of cleanliness. It is a remarkably clean city for one in the developing world – certainly a far cry from the chaos of Cairo, for example. The streets are swept daily; garbage is picked up daily. Traffic in the city is terrible but that is largely a consequence of a growing middle class that buys more cars each year. The city has a large network of roads and highways and public buses and the underground metro - all of them effective and clean. The overall impression is of order. Iranians I spoke to said this was attributable to an Iranian fetish with cleanliness and order, though some did credit the city government. Remember the last Mayor of Tehran is currently the President of Iran and the current Mayor of Tehran is reported to be eyeing the presidency as well.
Watch: Zakaria's interview with Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
Tehran also a bustling, cosmopolitan city. From the bazaar to shops of every kind that dot neighborhoods, you see Iranians doing business. Because of sanctions, you see very few Western brands. Every bank, store, and boutique has a local name with local products. There are some exceptions. Coca Cola is a here as it is everywhere.
One of the other effects of the sanctions has been that larger and larger parts of the economy are now controlled by Iran's Revolutionary Guard - the elite corps of the armed forces. Iranians are a worldly people and don't like the sanctions and their isolation from the world. But they are also a nationalistic people and they seem to resent that they - ordinary people - pay the price for the actions of their government.
Read: Iran's unlikely bestseller.
Woman in Iran are covered from head to toe but somehow Iran's women have managed to take this restriction and turn it into a fashion statement, so you see highly tailored outfits, colorful headscarfs and peeking out from it all, beautifully made-up faces. Women in Iran are educated, articulate and well-integrated into society. When you watch them driving their cars to work, you are reminded that women in the Islamic Republic of Iran are considerably more liberated than women in Saudi Arabia.
Watch: Zakaria explains why Iran wins with U.S. withdrawal from Iraq.
The talk of the people I met with - the political charter - was of the rift between President Ahmadinjad and the Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Khameni. Now what is hard for most westerners to understand is that in this debate, in Iran, Ahmadinejad is the moderate. He has been trying to clip the wings of the clergy; he has advocated loosening up some of the restrictions on women, allowing them to attend football games, for example; he speaks of Iran's pres-Islamic past with pride - something that is anathema to the clergy. And many here believe that he wants to be the Iranian president who normalizes relations with the United States. But with all that is going on now - between the Saudi plot and the nuclear deadlock - that appears a distant prospect.
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Thanks Fareed, Something new and different than what is always said before!
Farid how do you like having a public execution in your neighborhood, the same way that the Iranian regime conducts them in the clean streets of Iran. Have you gone to the southern part of the Tehran to see how clean the streets are?
Quite clean actually and far more so than when the US-backed Shah was in power
I don't think you will be resident of Tehran as you couldn't detect that Fareed was exploring almost all poor parts of Tehran except beautiful palaces of rich people who live in the north of Tehran, beautiful Sky resorts, Parks, fishing events, Mountains, cycling parks, horse riding clubs, Big Shopping centres, Restaurants and ... . He showed traditional bazaar in the south of Tehran where poor people are living there and a little section of Valieasr St. which there are so many boutiques and fashion shops, special markets like Computer and Mobile Markets, and ... there
Farid Zakaria went on a mission to draw a rosey picture from Ahmadinejad and his team. Because there would be a bloody war between Ahmadi Nehjad and Khamanehi very soon! Ahmadi Nejad's Lobby (In Washington) have already made their deal with Oil & Gas lobby so they would support him. that is why Zakaria went and listened to BS. Money can buy you almost everything baby!
As an Iranian I would appreciate your trip to Tehran and thank you for your almost unbiased judge about Tehran.
I I dont understand why you still interview this guy who just lies, bluntly lies on every issue and repeats the same nonsense every time since 2006? what is interesting in it anymore? and who is he? he has lost the grip on power and regime will soon replace him or get rid of.
no political prisoners in Iran? no corruption? he is joking. dont spend your time and money on him. there is no use.
I totally agree Amir. I cant see how Fareed can keep a straight face.during the interview.
Don't you know the game of politics? Ahmadinejad is an intriguing figure, extremely crafty and mesmerising. It was an interesting interview and Fareed hadn't wasted his time with Ahmadinejad at all!
You are clever to detect his lies. Well, which politician doesn't lie? Read Niccolo Machiavelli's "The Prince" and you will understand why Ahmadinejad is fascinating!
To give a criminal a forum to perpetuate lies without any real challenge is a crime – For example Ahamdinejad says that there are no political prisoners in Iran – which is easily disputable http://bit.ly/o60Ls5 – He then says that the judiciary is responsible for prisoners, really? What does the Judiciary have to do with arresting people? What kind of a reporter doesn't follow up on such a blatant lie? ...and your observations regarding brands and women driving? Common man – here is what is going on with economy http://bit.ly/nVLEBa – and here is what is going on with women in Iran – http://bit.ly/nmiK3T – I doubt you are unaware of these facts – The question then is what are you doing?
Farid how do you like having a public execution in your neighborhood, the same way that the Iranian regime conducts them in the clean streets of Iran. Have you gone to the southern part of the Tehran to see how clean the streets are?.
You are Wrong Amir. If we don't let the Oposite talk & tell us what their Ideas are then we never can know what the Plans will be or How to understand so we can always have the control ..
stupid arab..... go wear some sheets and kill innocent people... stupid arab
Hey Guest! There is no Arabs here, No one is talking about an Arab, it is time for you to read your elementary school books again!
I think the "guest" is referring to the kutschuluh (Ahmadinejad)... That he is more a Wahabit than Persian...
100% agree with Amir !! How many more times CNN and other media groups want to give this guy the opportunity to lie again and again ?? What is the purpose of this ? Please explain!
Like Bush and Cheney didn't lie to us about everything. The guy would be OK but the clergy is the problem.
Notice how Zakaria couldn't bring himself to acknnowlegde that the same people of Iran massively support their government's position on their nuclear program and instead he mangles the defintion of Nationalism.
http://www.iranaffairs.com/iran_affairs/2011/10/fareed-zakarias-snapshots-of-iran-well-tehran.html
Iran's nuclear program was started by the US., abandoned after the CIA puppet Shaw was kicked out, so the Russians took over to finish it. The US should stop beating the drums of war, the Russians and Chinese will be there to protect them. US policies change with every leader we elect; just like the wind. We are done, we are in debt, we haven't got leadership except saber rattling loudmouthes. I was hoping this president is not a Saudi puppet like Bush-Cheney were.
I only speak English. The show this morning leaves me baffled. Your picture of Iran is it's a great city. The leader seems to enjoy your questions. What was the objective of the interview?
Sam
I do see the objective of Fareed's interview with Ahmadinejad. It was interesting to hear what he thought of the past events in the Middle, as Iran is gaining influence in the region.
Hi. Iran is not a city.
Like you, many people who visits Iran are suprised to see how civilized Iran is. That was the case with Tony Blair's sister in law too. But media always portrays a different picture about Iran. The propaganda war by the powerful is alarming, indeed.
Tony Blair's sister-in-law has a reputation for being uncivilized?
Persia has been around for over 2000 years. The western part has been invaded by the Arabs. The Moslem clergy is mosntly Arabs. The US should have taken advantage of this difference.
You Iran and there is no difference between Arabs and Iranian same sh it.Iranian are fanatic then Arabs.Iranian love to call themselves Persians.Iranian are not civilized but ignorant.
@Pires – what a low class primate you derived from? Go and learn some history, my friend and definitely wipe your ass before you pull up your pants.
Mr. Wolf Blitzer, everybody knows you’ll never get a truthful answer from these lying tyrants. Still these are the questions which should be asked.
Thank you, Fareed. This belies the Western propaganda over how bad the Iranians have it under Ahmedinejad. Like I said before, those demonstrations back in June 2009 were most probably as phoney as a three dollar bill, instigated by both the C.I.A. and the most infamous British MI-6. The French most probably had a hand in it too!
Your comment shows that you did not really understand ahmadinejad said, allow me to translate. He said that he is perfect in everyway and that there is not a speck of dirt or evil in himself or his government. He is innocent of all wrongdoing and whatever evidence the whole rest of the world has about hidden nuclear reactors or WMD are all lies designed by democradicly elected leaders to make him look bad. My conclusion is that ahmadinejad seems to be very much like Mary Poppins.
"Hidden nuclear reactors"??? LOL.
Even the US intelligence agencies say there's no exisitng nuclear weapons program in Iran – the US only accuses Iran of "intent to acquire the capability" to make nukes, which can be equally applied to 100 other countries today.
You are so full of it. Maybe next time you coulc just give real facts instead of more Iranian government propaganda.
Congratulations, Mr. Zakaria on getting access to Iran and Ahmadinejad. While watching I couldn't help but compare it to H.V. Kaltenborn's 1932 interview of Adolf Hitler. Same type questions but more important the same bland acceptance of the obvious lack of truthfulness. I won't be at all surprised if we have a similar outcome in the coming years.
PanamaIce You took the words right out of my mouth… well said..
I have a lot of respect for Fareed. It seems that he is a man of morality and decency but he is really, really naive. I don't understand why he interviewed that criminal from Iran! Why does he give these dictators a platform for thier nonsense? Ahmadinejad is a really stupid human being. His only quality is that he is completely ruthless and lies as easily as you and I breath. If he were not the cold calculating murderer that intends to do whatever he has to do, to stay in power, we wouldn't spit on him as we passed him in the gutter. He is not news. He is the same kind of bas****d that we have to hang after ever war or after a revolution, ends up hanging by his feet in the town square, or dragged out and shot at 3 A.M. Please stop interviewing these criminals as if they are on par with democraticly elected leaders.
Actually Ahmadinejad was democratically elected.
The election was not entirely free of fraud - but the same can be said of U.S. elections, where we now vote on audit-free electronic machines that can be programmed to give any desired result. Polls taken prior to the election indicate that Ahmadinejad would have won regardless, so the fraud was a red herring. It's true that Ahmadinejad is despised by the pampered elite in Iran, but poorer Iranians love him and they are the majority.
Actually no one has prsented any actual evidence of fraud, and the various allegation of fraud are easily debunked. In fact not only was there no reason for any election fraud (Ahmadinejads opponent was a hardline regime-insider himself who was cleared and vetted to run for office so his potential election posed no threat to the regime) but multiple polls by even US-based organizations concluded that the people did vote for him.
You could not be more wrong. Did you see all the dead, injured, imprisoned and the hospitals with guards on duty to capture all the injured who were going to hospitals for treatment and much much more? So, please be careful when you say democratically elected. As a matter of fact , he lost the election and the cheated to win.
Nope, sorry, no election fraud evidence, and polls show he did win. There was no reason for any fraud as Mousavi, who cried fraud, is himself more "hardline" on many things than Ahmadinejad.
I agree with you 100%
It is easy to get elected when they (The Guardian Council) don't allow an opposition candidate.
80% of Iranians turned out of the vote this time and on average 67% of Iranians turn out to vote for their president, so I guess the Iranians themselves don't have a problem with the voting system.
Adolf Hitler was also democratically elected. ...
Kufteh Nannat – thank you for yet another illustration of Godwin's Lawm aka Reductio ad Hitlerum
Well said…
why would you interview the Persian Pansy?
I hope the interview is studied for microexpressions. Even though he kept his face impassive during difficult questions, he had a quick scornful downturn on the left side of his mouth when questioned about Syria's tratment of ciitizens. Also about 2/3 through interview he reached over with his right hand and touched his watch... a signal to his handlers that he had enough?
You always make sense on whatever you talk about, i respect you much.
Don't patronize your readers, they know Iranians ski.
Most Americans don't know that Iranians are as "normal" as they are.
I agree. As most of people in north America think Iran is all desert! I give credit to what he said as he knew about this impression of Americans. It is interesting as this is not like this in Europe at all. People were (and are) coming from Europe (Switzerland, Austria, Germany only I know) to ski in Dizin resort just out of Tehran.
Thanks Fareed. I really love to be able to give you some advice about Iran before you go there, but after that final talk with that brutal liar, Marandi, you finally made it.
Thanks.
Don't give us too much credit. A large number of people here still think that Iranians are Arabs, too.
you know i have respect for your job and you too but sometimes you go a take interview..Iran Turkey..why? we don/t have to give to much attention..and find some simpatice man BERLUSCONI is very nice no war just la bella vita...
thank you
First of all, thank you for providing an international platform for Ahmadinejad to repeat his nonsense and lies and pretend to be the good guy and Rep.of oppressed.
Second of all, why do you compare Iran with countries like Saudi Arabia or Egypt?????.....It shows your lack of knowledge about Iran and Iranians ....before going to Iran you could have gather some knowledge about the history and culture of the country ...then you would realized how absurd your comparison is!!!!!!
Your other reflections are very ordinary and non-professional ....were you were on a high school trip ??????????
Amen, Poupak. I also like to and the following:
Tehran is not IRAN or even close to what you would see in Sistan Baluchistan, Lorestan, Kurdistan, Khourasan, Azerbaujan, Fars, Golestan and just abut all other provinces (excluding "City" of Isfahan one of the cleanest). Id Mr. FZ travelled there he would have a different reflection of the the result of the Mulla's d.ictatorship regime in Iran. Heck, one trip to Khuzestan (where just about all of Iran's oil and gas comes from) would make a human being cringe and cry for the shape and condition the people live, in THE richest regions of Iran.
CNN, among all other foreign so called news agencies are an embarrassment to the business of reporting (Edward R. Murrow is rolling in his grave). The fact is that the west has NO idea of how to put the questions to A.N. and his type and keeping the honest. Reason: the news agencies are there to sell products, advertising slots, hence, they need A.N., Chavez, Castro etc., to get the viewers to stay tuned in. And that fact has nothing to do with the real FACTS at hand!!!
Actually those other cities u mentioned are even better than Tehran....clean and green
Why are u jealous if he compares the countries...Iran even tough been under sanctions for over 30 years still better off than Saudi Arabia...why is that bother you..? You must be a jealous arab.
I think highly of Fareed. I like his reporting and his great insight with his effort in trying to be objective. This was a good report, although it is obvious he was careful, had to be if he wanted to report another day.
+( Now what is hard for most westerners to understand is that in this debate, in Iran, Ahmadinejad is the moderate. )+
Too often, we see only what we want to see. Since most of us are still addicted to war and live in media-created comic book that has little connection with reality, we see pretexts for war everywhere.
It doesn't matter what Ahmadinejad says. It doesn't matter what the Iranian government does or which party is in power. Notice that the Ziosphere despises the reformer Khatami just as much as it despises Ahmadinejad.
Since 2002, Israel has been ordering us to attack Iran, and Israel gets what Israel wants. The die was cast nine years ago. The Zionists have given Iran a death sentence. It's not a question of WHETHER Iran will be leveled. It's only a question of when. The Israeli regime will not be satisfied till the entire region has been turned into a radioactive desert.
Thank you Fareed, this was amazing report, we need to know more about Iran and its complex geopolitics. I hope this visit could open doors for some US politicians to be the Kissinger of Iran.
Iran -the leader of the Muslim world.
Fair report! good job, Fareed, This is the first time I saw this type of report about Iran.
FAREED ZAKARIA GPS
Interview with Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad
Aired October 23, 2011 – 10:00 ET
It's bothersome to see lack of translation.
so many times, while Ahmadinajad is talking in Farsi,
the Translator has missed the meaning of the sentence.
As you see below the translation was done one word less than the whole sentense. statement the Translator gave was in different meaning.
what Ahmadinajad was saying is Parantence
"AHMADINEJAD (through translator): Well, making claims against Iran is again United States and its allies. We have already expressed our views about nuclear bombs. We said those who are seeking to build nuclear bombs or those who stock pile, they are politically retarded. We ========(DON'T) not do=====
think they are stupid because the Arab nuclear bombs is over. "
http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/1110/23/fzgps.01.html
It was amazing Fareed. I was following your tweets from streets of Tehran. I recommend you to go to Isfahan and Shiraz for sure before you leave. Even if it only take you half a day, they are amazing places to see.
I just wanted to say that I enjoy that I feel you meticulously know what is going on there and understand it well. Your report from Tehran was very interesting to me. I recommend you to ask someone to take you to see Evin prison and also the gate they have put on MirHossein Mousavi's house alley. It is in the center. These are the things which you might not be allowed to (I have no idea if you could go wherever you want, you could pass by them only with a local host). But at least, we would have this feeling that someone from US could fully understand what is going on here. I really respect what you do and want you not to be kind to them.
Wow – good to see what real Iran looks like. Great job GPS and Fareed Zakaria.
such a naive narration of iran! I can just say;
After watching some of your earlier program, I developed an opinion about you that you are one of them, part and parcel of the anti Muslim propaganda machine of WASP. This honest and fair interview of Ahmadinejad has changed my opinion about you. The interview was good, his answers were fair. Regarding some abusive words used by others who have commented on this interview, it is very obvious that some are Zionist and other their lovers. Regarding him being branded as liar, even if he is, he will run miles behind George Bush and Collin Powell
You are a Muslim propagandist. It is a shame that you are taken as a serious journalist by naive Americans. You disgust people who know better.
someone who knows better.. what say like yourself.. do you have a passport.. have you left your city limits. or do go on what the people at fox tell you
It is commendable to talk of Iran’s cleanliness, its endurance while being blockaded by the west, its forward thinking people specially the female population who in your words are much more liberated than the Saudi women for example. But to choose to present only this view is a complete farce. Its like saying, Hitler was a highly disciplined leader who never womanized or drank and had a great sense of hygiene, which is also what Hitler was known for. It is this myopic reporting that gives the viewer or reader a false sense of reality. As an Iranian persecuted by my own government, and witnessing the unbridled cruelty unleashed on its people, for reasons of religion, political view, gender bias, infuriates me to see a nonchalant report such as this as if the reporter is giving validity to such an existence…
I wish Ted Turnner would run CNN again, at least the reporting would be genuine…
maybe u should watch fox new then....
Lalla
CNN, FOX and a few others are pandering to idiots who watch and think they are getting real news...
Fareed no doubt that Iranians are clean, educated, articulate, and have many more qualities.... we have at least 2500 yrs culture behind us... I don't know if they paid you good money, for this interview, or there are some political affairs behind the curtain going on to make this Islamic regime look good. Did they take you to visit EVIN prison, to see the political prisoners??? Ofcourse not, they won’t let you to see those places…. Did you interview any of those girls which were covered head to toe???? Ofcourse not, they won’t let you to hear what they have to say, Well I hope you enjoy your gifts, glad you had a good time there….
I doubt if Fareed was bought for this interview. But the points that were made are correct regarding interviewing people at large and listening to their point of view about the country in general and democracy and/or freedom in specific. People may have a smile on their faces but they are crying down deep.
Iran isn't like saudi ARabia where women are forced to cover head to toe...I just came from there, all i had to wear was just a scarf bc of course it is a Muslim country and u have to follow the law. you could also see from the fareed's video clip that fashionable women are walking on the street. Over sixty percent of university students are women in Iran. I also visited other Muslim countries in middle East and by comparison Iran and Iranians were far more modern, educated and open minded than others in that region.
My only fear is that by interviewing people like Ahmadinejad, you are giving him legitamacy of represening of a country who this person is not really elected by the people of that country. The Islamic Regime do not have any basis within the Iranian society so why do you instist to interview this murderer and giving him this impression that he is the Preseident? i don't undrestand this!
Sorry but 80% of Iranians turned out for the vote and of them about 60% voted for him.
Farid, I Hate to say this, but I lost all my respect for you
Very disappointed seeing you, giving a dictator tribune.
Don't let the door hit you
HAHA...told you suckers...not is all what it seems with IRAN...lol..lol..lol...Give em a finger Iran...hey what about five finger death punch...under and over it...haha..GO IRAN......that is what I am talking about people...Iran is a cool cat..
There are many comments posted here by Angry Iranians who now reside in the West either because they had to leave Iran to flee the persecutions of this regime, or simply left for more freedom, & a better future. They're angry because were they given choices at the time, they would have rather remained in their own motherland instead of leaving it. Some of those Iranians are angry enough to hope for an all-out attack on Iran from the Western powers to oust the Mullahs. Hence, they are ignorant of the sentiments/feelings/fears of the Iranians who live inside Iran & oblivious of the nationalistic mentality of their own compatriots. So to those Iranians in the West who want to see Iran attacked militarily I simply wish to point 2 facts:
POINT 1) If Iran's attack by the US, Israel, NATO, or any coalition of forces combined for that purpose, the vast majority of Iranians (even those who despise this regime) will put aside their resentments, rally around their flag, stand by this regime to defend their motherland.
POINT2) It is utterly naive of you to think that the Western powers will risk their own interests, launch a military attack with the aim of toppling the Mullacracy, and hand you democracy on a platter for nothing! Think about that.
You bring a valid point. Do you think that citizens of Western nations want to see Iran attacked? To bring the kind of instability to Iran that happened in Iraq? I think that while the people are oppressed they're still better off than that. Your revolution has to come from within.
Quite on spot. As an Iranian living in Iran, I'm routinely disappointed by the misrepresentation of Iran by some expat Iranians and Green movement supporters who love to portray Iran on the brink of implosion or revolution. Iran has been improving in the UNDP Human Development Index faster than world average, and I would say most Iranians do support their system of government. There are grievances of course, as with the citizens of any other country. But that definitely doesn't mean that they want US attacking Iran or a yet another chaotic revolution. If Iranians wanted a revolution, they would simply do that as governments can't really stop revolutions.
The February 11 2009 demonstration, which was supposed by the Western media to be "the end of the Islamic Republic", saw millions of Iranians pouring into the streets in support of their government and overwhelmed the Green Movement supporters who had planned a "massive" demonstration to overthrow the government. This made clear who was the majority.
Send a message to the Supreme Leader...or the President...don't tell me they do not repsond to intel...wrong address?
Thanks alot Fareed for this fair and intelligent explanation of life and politics in Iran. Unfortunately those ignorant people who believe Iran is poor, broke, undeveloped and evil tend to avoid vibrant realities like what you have mentioned as they do with most truths.
This is a much different perspective on Middle Eastern countries than I am used to hearing. It may sound ignorant, but I often picture uneducated people living in huts with no modern technology. So thank you for portraying this country in a more positive light and teaching me about Iran's modernity!
I also appreciate the description of Iranian women who have taken their traditional burqas and coverings and made them fashionable. As someone withe Western ideals, I had thought of coverings such as these as oppressive to women. Now, I see that it is part of the culture and are used by women to make a statement.
I am an American, White, Catholic and married to a wonderful woman was was born in Tehran. Myself, my wife and our 3 young children recently returned from a 2 week trip to Tehran. Leading up to the trip I was file with anxiety and worry..whether right or wrong, this was how I felt. My feelings leaving could not be more different – the people were without exception wonderful, Tehran has its big city issues but is filled with wonderful sites and food, hiking in the mountains in the Northern Tehran was an all-time favorite adventure...basically, I could go on and on and on about the positives from my trip and would have a problem coming up with any negatives.
Bottom-line – I can not wait to go back.
Thought provoking as always Zakaria. I envy your ability to travel there.
I had an Iranian friend back in college who was here on a visa back in the 90s. Back then, it felt like there were signs of thawing, and even social liberalization, but then, the hardliners cracked down and the US cancelled student visas. The doors shut.
Now they cleaned the outside but what about what is inside of them. We have heard you speak from what is in your hearts, murder, and we have seen your work in Iraq, Afghan and the United States so that means the inside is filthy.Besides your supreme leader is lucifer(the devil) show yourself.
I am a great admirer of GPS and find your programme and interviews very stimulating indeed. I enjoyed your reflections on Iran and its people. It is my view that the West should treat the Iranians with more respect because of their rich culture and history. Iran has produced great thinkers and has been a role model for Asia. I also believe that the Shias in Iran and Iraq, if they speak with a single voice(not militarily), will be a counter balance to the Wahabi Sunnis. It is time for the west to be more inclusive of Iran and move beyond commonly held views of their nuclear ambitions and threat to Israel. If the US can talk to North Korea, why not send Carter/Clinto to Tehran
National interest influences almost all democratic governments in their decision making. Can we say same thing about the United States? Unfortunately it has to satisfy lobbyists, among them is Israeli lobby. Israel communicated with its arch enemy Hamas to get Gilad Shalit released. I wonder what will happen if Gilad were an American soldier being kidnapped by the enemy of Israel!. Will the US politicians have the freedom of decision making in such scenario?. North Korea is the enemy of US only, so US can take any decision it wants regarding North Korea. But Iran..! I hope this will answer your question.
I fully agree with Sidney. It is time that the West engages with Tehran and does not make the mistake of the past with Iran. Iran has taken full advantage of the vaccuum in the Arab world and therefore its infuence there. The GPS programme shows a polite,cheerful and educated people, unlike Egypt! The West must commence dialogue with Tehran immediately
I respect Fareed and I like his program; however, this interview was a useless and unfair interview.
Fareed, you talked about clean streets of Tehran, and you failed to mention anything about political prisoners including many brave women (mothers) who are experiencing long term imprisonment, being tortured by this crazy regime, who do not have the rights to visit their children, husband, and their parents. Streets of Tehran versus many young people who are in prison because they believe in freedom. I understand it is difficult to bring true reports out of Iran but when you were back in the US, you could state some of these facts in your program and name a few of these brave men and women such as Nasrin Sotodeh, Marzieh Vafamehr, Hilda Sedighi, and many more. This was a very useless interview; you were very soft with such a Dictator who has killed and is killing his own people. Why this interview if you are afraid to ask questions. Why interview with such a regime; why did you not add some of the ideas from opposition groups.
How is he a dictator if he was elected and won and his term is over in about two years. Dictators were people like Mobarak and Qadafi who rulled for 40 years and were supported and paid yearly by YOur tax money dollars.
Good Job Fareed Zakria as always for your fair and balanced reporting.
an almost unbiased report however you didn't show those most beautiful parts of Tehran but as an Iranian I would appreciate your work and welcomed your trip to Tehran
isn't it nice if we human able to live our life without medieval religion controlling your life..
It seems that the best and only way Iran will get itself out of is international funk via a bloodless coup of the supreme leaders
Very impressive review of IRAN. I am not an Iranian by far but my salute to Ahmed and his governance. Picked up couple of things which seems very positive, by Iranian, produced and buy Iranian. Most of the countries, especially US, are trying to apply this idea into people head but no success. The women are pretty and covered as female should be. It is a shame to see mothers, sisters and daughters walking around with almost no cloths in the name of freedom.
Good things should be appreciated regardless who and where they come from.
thank you mr zakaria for this report,contarary to some comments,that is critical,i found your report vey well done,considering the amount of time that you had.thanks agian.
Iiranians are not stooges and brokers of US and West like saudees,gulf enunchs,who are killing innocentpeople in baharain,whatever the end is immeterial,they have shown the world that to live you need not to walk on the knees,NATO AND US ARE CRIMINALS THEY SHOULD BE BROUGHT TO JUSTICE FOR THIER CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY.
Hi Zakaria
The picture that you gave is very inadequate. You have given a good version of the story while the worst is under the surface that you have not been able to lift up. Watch the film Nader and Simin then you will understand better how we have today in today's Iran. If you could visit the Iranian court then you maybe could to understand how womens lives seems in Iran. That women are strong and make a daily opposition in Iran is not a gift that the government gave them. Women in Iran is aware of their rights thanks to the Shah's time and the freedom they had. Ahmadinejad and khamenehi both have no legitimacy in Iran. Islamic repulic exist in a egitimacy crisis.It seems that you have just met regimfriendly people and they have taken good care of you! Good for you but not for iranian people and street children and .... : (
Really Mike, women should be covered, like they should be? Why don't you cover your head? Why don't you let women decide if they should cover themselves or not? Let the people of Iran live without so many rules and oppresions. Most Iranians hate their government, their leaders, their Mullahs, and the miserable life they have created for Iranians. As for Fareed, that was a joke of an interview. You threw Ahmadinejad softball questions, and let him ramble on for minutes on end, without ever a hard counter reply. Your portrayal of life in Iran was also not even remotely comprehensive. Maybe you should have spent more time interviewing people in Iran that hate it there, and wish for fundemental change so BAD.
FAREED, HOW COULD YOU INTERVIEW A MASS MURDERER SHAME ON YOU.!
Fareed, please don't ever compare Iranian women with Saudi's. I remember, 45 years ago, my sister was driving when she was going to Med school , her rights was equal as men, so don't get excited about our women's driving. Our priority is not cleanness, Our Priority is Human Rights. it is about public hanging of our young, brave and educated people in the same clean street near your hotel .... Mr. Fareed Zakaria, Close your eyes to this painful reality and Enjoy your staying in Our Clean (city) Country. What a shame to The Journalism .
Iranian men are P_ssies. Give your women TOTAL equal rights! ISLAME is vile, backwards, and violent!!! The year is 2011 not 1011 you idiots.
Fareed Zakaria is not to be trusted or believed.
I have never met an Iranian that I haven't liked and respected. If the Iranian people can forgive America for George Bush, I can certainly forgive them for their own nut cases.
It is uncanny the analogous scenario that is emerging:
Another "rogue" state is suspected of a devious and subversive plot (first Iraq and Saddam Hussein's harboring of terrorists post 9-11 ... and now Iran's suspected plot to assassinate a Saudi Diplomat). The accusations against Iraq eventually led to accusations of possession of WMDs and a subsequent invasion. Today, Iran is already accused of developing nuclear weapons. Combined with these recent accusations, what will be Iran's equivalent to the invasion of Iraq. More sanctions? I worry that US and European response may too quickly forget the mistakes from less than a decade ago. Responses must be more prudent and more patient. http://sketchskeptic.wordpress.com/
This islamic mafia does not represent Iran, it represents a bunch of bloody con artists and psychopaths.
Again,something seems to be really wrong with you guys,again just filming the worst parts of Tehran...i mean come on you show the bad subrubs go to Zaadferaniyeh and film there for a while...how do u like it if someone says they are showing Newyork and only shows Harlem?!
I noticed the same thing. I viisted Tehran about 4 years ago with my wife and in the video , they only show not very nice parts of tehran, except for a few seconds where they show a few nice looking stores on vali asr street which the famous street in Tehran with 18 kilometers of tall trees on both sides of the street with water running from alborz mountains on both sides through the cannels under the trees. Iranians call that the 18 kilometer green tunnel, due to large trees on both sides and in the spring and summer the street is full of shade due to large trees on both sides.
Northern terhan is full of trees and has very beautiful parks, not one, several awesome parke which we visited four years ago. I recommend for people who want to visit tehran like fareed zakaria did, to stay in one of vali asr street hotels in tehrna like we did. very beautiful.
you are exactly right, it is like trying to make a video of Washington dc and only showing the bad parts of southeast washington or trying to show NY city to attract tourists and only showing harlem
Here is a great video of Tehran. Not what Fareed and his producers showed in his video. They pretty much only showed the bad parts. this gives you an idea of the beauty of northern tehran and alborz mountains.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-1RG_iam3bg
Here is a great video of Tehran. Not what Fareed and his producers showed in his video. They pretty much only showed the bad parts. this gives you an idea of the beauty of northern tehran and alborz mountains. put 3 Ws infront of the link and a period
youtube.com/watch?v=-1RG_iam3bg
Dear Farid,
With all your knowledge of world affairs I expect you to spell the name of Iran's supreme leader right. His name is Khameneh-E and not Khameni that sounds the same as Khomane.Please say it right next time. After all I expect you to stand out in comparison to John Mclaughlin who pronounces Mevedev as Medyedev and PBS's Margaret Warner who does the same. Please help to circulate global awareness. Thanks