An AMAZING number of good items in today's New York Times!
UP-FRONT "IN-CASE-YOU-MISSED-IT" NUGGET!!
I posted this earlier in the week -- but with all the commentary on the role of twitter in Iran, you easily could have missed this one. When he's on, Kristof is really ON. If you're wishing you could make a difference in Iran (and elsewhere), please check this out.
Tear Down This Cyberwall (Nicholas Kristof) from the New York Times
"Today, it is a group of Chinese supporters of Falun Gong who are the best hope for Iranians trying to reach blocked sites."
Today, the New York Times 'Week in Review' Section has a number of interesting articles on what's been happening in Iran such as:
Up-in-Arms: A Struggle for the Legacy of the Iranian Revolution and Gauging Obama in Iran from the New York Times
Showdown Builds in Iran (Robert Dreyfuss) from the Nation
Dreyfuss has been on the ground in Tehran through most of the crisis there.
"According to reports from various quarters, the demonstrators have added a new chant to their repertoire: "Death to Khamenei!" If so, another red line -- and an extremely explosive one -- has been crossed."
Cautious Response to Events in Iran Reflects Obama's Long-Term Approach from the Washington Post
"They say there is not much the United States can do to influence the situation -- except make it worse for the opposition -- but they have begun planning for the administration's response if the crackdown turns very violent."
Tehran in Turmoil from Mother Jones
Very interesting analysis and stories on events in Iran on Saturday.
"Iran was in chaos Saturday, as anti-government protesters defied a ban and rallied in major cities, including Shiraz and Tehran, the capital. Security forces struck back hard, dispersing crowds with tear gas, water cannons, and bullets."
Bullets and Barrels (Thomas Friedman) from the New York Times
Frieman's overview analyses of Iran the last week or so have been quite insightful.
"The popular uprising unfolding in Iran right now really is remarkable. It is the rarest of rare things — more rare than snow in Saudi Arabia, more unlikely than finding a ham sandwich at the Wailing Wall, more unusual than water-skiing in the Sahara. It is a popular uprising in a Middle Eastern oil state."
Moussavi's Message of Reform (Spencer Ackerman) from Firedoglake
A perceptive analysis of what Moussavi and the reformers are pushing for.
"What it means is that Iranians are working to redefine their Islamic Revolution, not abandon it, and do so in a way that favors openness and justice and freedom. "
The live-blogging of Andrew Sullivan yesterday was outstanding with really interesting analysis and extraordinary video HERE.
A Supreme Leader Loses His Aura as Iranians Flock to the Streets (Roger Cohen) from the New York Times
Roger continues to be in the thick of it in Tehran. Great reporting on his part.
"The Iranian police commander, in green uniform, walked up Komak Hospital Alley with arms raised and his small unit at his side. “I swear to God,” he shouted at the protesters facing him, “I have children, I have a wife, I don’t want to beat people. Please go home.”"
Fareed Zakaria's analysis goes along similar lines with 'Fatal Wound' Inflicted on Iranian Regime's Ideology from CNN
"The regime's founder, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, laid out his special interpretation of political Islam in a series of lectures in 1970. In this interpretation of Shia Islam, Islamic jurists had divinely ordained powers to rule as guardians of the society, supreme arbiters not only on matters of morality but politics as well. When Khomeini established the Islamic Republic of Iran, this idea was at its heart. Last week, that ideology suffered a fatal wound."
As does the foreign press with Iran's Ayatollahs Are Doomed (Editorial) from Les Dernieres Nouvelles d'Alsace [of France in English]
"History will one day render its verdict on whether this was triggered by Barack Obama's outstretched hand. But to remain the masters, the theocrats need 'Great Satan' to be shouted at every gathering. … In any event, Europe and the United States have no option but that of virtuous condemnation. The implosion will come."
Top Cleric May Be Playing Role in Iran Unrest from the Associated Press
"Iranian TV has shown pictures of Rafsanjani's daughter, Faezeh Hashemi, speaking to hundreds of opposition supporters. And Rafsanjani, who has made no secret of his distaste for Ahmadinejad, was conspicuously absent from an address by the country's supreme leader calling for national unity and siding with the president."
Stay Out of It, Obama (Ben Sarlin) from the Daily Beast
"Critics have urged Obama to "go green," to side with Iranian protesters more vocally. But in an exclusive interview, one of Iran's most high-profile opposition clerics, Mohsen Kadivar, tells The Daily Beast that the reformers don't want any help. He also says the protests are about the presidential election, not about overthrowing the ayatollah."
Who'll Suit Up for the GOP in 2012? from the Washington Post
An interesting set of interviews addressing this question.
"In the wake of the revelation of Sen. John Ensign's extramarital affair, The Post asked politicians, former officials and others to take stock of the GOP field for 2012."
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