Obama’s Sideline Strategy May Signal Shift in U.S. Democracy Policy

Washington Independent by Spencer Ackerman | Jun. 19, 2009 (News Report)

It turned out money couldn’t buy a revolution.

After the 2005 election of hardline Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the Bush administration sought about $75 million from Congress with which it hoped to recruit or support alternative voices in Iran to push the Islamic Republic in a more democratic direction. While dissidents in Iran were significantly weaker than during the 1999 student protests — a squelched moment of apparent liberalism ... Full Story »

Posted by Derek Hawkins

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Subjects: World, U.S., Politics
Topics: Iran, Foreign Policy, Obama Administration, Democracy In the Middle East
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Posted by: Posted by Derek Hawkins - Jun 18, 2009 - 11:13 PM PDT
Reviewed by: Derek Hawkins (review), Randy Morrow (review), James Canning (review), Jim Edwards-Hewitt (review)
Content Type: Article
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Edited by: Derek Hawkins - Jun 18, 2009 - 11:13 PM PDT
Related Comments: Obama Administration (3)

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Derek Hawkins
4.0
 by Derek Hawkins - Jun. 18, 2009
Derek posted this story.
See Full Review » (2 answers)
Randy Morrow
3.7
 by Randy Morrow - Jun. 20, 2009

“Iranians are viewed as discredited when they receive money from foreign governments,” Ganji wrote in an October 2007 Washington Post column. “The Bush administration ... More »

See Full Review » (11 answers)
James Canning
4.0
 by James Canning - Jun. 20, 2009

Good report on reasons US effort to fund "democracy" promotion in Iran was a nonstarter.

US can help itself and the entire Middle East by having normal relations with Iran, rather than childish situation of past 29 years (sulking over student takeover of US embassy in Tehran).

See Full Review » (7 answers)
Jim Edwards-Hewitt
4.8
 by Jim Edwards-Hewitt - Jun. 20, 2009
See Full Review » (5 answers)

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