Pawn
Keep in mind in the coverage of the US reporter having been convicted in Iran that she's a pawn in the much larger power game. There are forces inside Iran who want to torpedo any possible thaw between Iran and the US, and the sense I'm getting is that they are responsible for her conviction.
Now we get this from Ahmadinejad, "Iranian president acts to ensure reporter's rights." Genuine part of a power struggle, or just his bit in the play?
The BBC has a nice piece looking at this, too.
Now we get this from Ahmadinejad, "Iranian president acts to ensure reporter's rights." Genuine part of a power struggle, or just his bit in the play?
The BBC has a nice piece looking at this, too.
posted by mikevotes at
6:29 AM
5 Comments:
Ahmadinejad had to make some kind of statement. It would be interesting to see the evidence against her.
By
Anonymous, at 10:39 AM
Also interesting, would be to hear the instructions the Iranian government is giving the judge, on how this case MUST be decided.
By
Unknown, at 11:14 AM
The internal politics on this are complicated. No real way to tell if Ahmadinejad is wanting to hold/use her or whether that decision is coming from the religious leadership.
The thing to remember is that there are two Iranian governments. She was tried in a "revolutionary court" which I presume to mean it falls under the supreme religious authorities, not the PResidency.
Also I think it's important to note that there are certainly real US spies in Iran, and that the Iranians likely could round up one of them if they wanted to.
This is all about a bargaining chip. They can later show "leniency" to her whereas they couldn't to a real spy.
By
mikevotes, at 1:16 PM
Very good points mike. I doubt if the real US spies even get a trial.
By
Anonymous, at 2:37 PM
Yeah. On the other hand they may get traded back. Or the Iranians may know some of them are there, but leave them alone or feed them false info. That's the classic counterespionage.
By
mikevotes, at 4:02 PM
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