I went to listen t Reese Erlich's lecture in Berkeley this afternoon. He is a journalist with San Francisco Chronicle, and his book, The Iran Agenda: The Real Story of US Policy and the Middle East, was just published. The topic of his lecture was: "Will the US attack Iran?" His answer to that question was pretty unsettling. Erlich believes that all plans are set into motion, and that it is no longer a question of whether there will be an attack, but when. He said that excuses for a potential attack are rapidly shifting from Iran's nuclear activities to its interference in Iraq, trying to find acceptance in the US. I was so scared listening to him. He is very sympathetic to Iranian people, and has visited Iran several times. I asked him what we could do to help avoid a war, and his suggestion was for Iranians in the US to get organized and to start developing a unified voice against a potential attack. That is no easy feat, and certainly it can't be done quickly enough. There was some suggestion that Iranians in the Bay Area form a contingent and participate in the protests against Iraq war which is scheduled for October 27th in San Francisco, protesting plans for an attack on Iran. Today I also read this article by Seymour Hersh in the upcoming issue of the New Yorker. It's a long piece, but I recommend it, if you have the stomach for bad news. I know many of my friends believe there won't be a war, but even if there is a small probability, the thought is too hard to bear. I wrote something on the subject which will be published tomorrow.
9/30/2007
Worrisome Sunday
I went to listen t Reese Erlich's lecture in Berkeley this afternoon. He is a journalist with San Francisco Chronicle, and his book, The Iran Agenda: The Real Story of US Policy and the Middle East, was just published. The topic of his lecture was: "Will the US attack Iran?" His answer to that question was pretty unsettling. Erlich believes that all plans are set into motion, and that it is no longer a question of whether there will be an attack, but when. He said that excuses for a potential attack are rapidly shifting from Iran's nuclear activities to its interference in Iraq, trying to find acceptance in the US. I was so scared listening to him. He is very sympathetic to Iranian people, and has visited Iran several times. I asked him what we could do to help avoid a war, and his suggestion was for Iranians in the US to get organized and to start developing a unified voice against a potential attack. That is no easy feat, and certainly it can't be done quickly enough. There was some suggestion that Iranians in the Bay Area form a contingent and participate in the protests against Iraq war which is scheduled for October 27th in San Francisco, protesting plans for an attack on Iran. Today I also read this article by Seymour Hersh in the upcoming issue of the New Yorker. It's a long piece, but I recommend it, if you have the stomach for bad news. I know many of my friends believe there won't be a war, but even if there is a small probability, the thought is too hard to bear. I wrote something on the subject which will be published tomorrow.
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12 comments:
Nazy joonam
I really pray for peace!
I think that was really scary; I heard an introduction to his book on NPR. It was couple of days ago. I was down for the rest of the day.
Nazy jan: I don't think there will be a war as long as Bush is in office. However, it doesn't mean even with a Democratic President, there will be no war on Iran. Hillary Clinton in one her speeches said, "we have to get ready for other wars".
There are rumors in Iran that all foreign flights will be cancelled in November...
just thinking about it Nazy jan scares hell of me
Tamehk Jan, Salam. Reese is a very interesting and warm man. But even with his funny demeanor and friendly presentation, the feeling in the room was very somber. When I saw him talk last Spring in Berkeley's School of Journalism, he was a lot more optimistic about the situation vis a vis Iran. These are hard times. Be good azizam.
Serendip Jan. Reese Erlich asked the audience whom we thought the US Army was fighting in Iraq. There was some silence, until he said "the Iraqis." Where is the liberation promised Iraqi's and Americans, then? Wars have no winners. They should be avoided at all costs. There are, however, some trigger-happy politicians who think this is the best thing to do. I so hope they won't get a chance to try it. The costs in human life and damage to world peace will be incalculable. Let's hope for wisdom to prevail.
Yes, Mehran Jan. It is very scary. The magnitude of the event is frightening to fathom.
The french news paper "Le Monde" has written this article that there would be a war in Iran and in different way. They talked about this journalist also. If in Iran they don't believe because it's not possible to continue their life by thinking there would be war. Just a deny to protect themselves.
If they want to bring down this regime OK. But there would not be a war as US olans. They prepered the milions of hungry men since many years.
Dear Anonymous:
Thank you for coming. Yes, I know that US doesn't want to do it alone and is looking for allies, as they did in Iraq. I so want to believe that any violence, any war, any attack can be avoided. I think it doesn't matter where a war, a military invasion, or an attack happens, and to which nation those maimed and killed and displaced belong. A war, any war, is a sign of failure for humanity. If it can be avoided, it must be at all costs. Our beautiful Iran has endured enough.
I think all the world pray for peace ...
Nazy,
After reading this post, I spent the entire evening reading Seymour Hersh's article and thinking about what might happen if the US hits Iran. I still don't know what to say. I used to pretend that it won't happen. But it is different when people like Hersh write about it. It is worrisome indeed.
What can we do about it Nazy jan?
I am in for that anti-war demonstration. But what ever I do it will be like the efforts of that doctor in Albert Camu's novel The Plague: do my best with no hope or expectation of outcome. Because I have learned that when governments want to wage war, citizens cannot do a thing about it. It is a shitty world we'r all living in.
Salam Ehsan Jan: Thank you for your heartfelt comment. You are right. Those in the war business have shown that they understand the natural and immediate resistence of nations to wars. They plan, they advertise, they plant news, and they lobby heavily ahead. I believe the first step to tackling any challenge is to understand it, acknowledge it, and then try to communicate those understandings with others. Developing united fronts will strengthen our voices. We should all keep the question of "what can we do?" alive for now. That is a very good start. I wished I knew what the answer is, but I don't, yet. Be good thoughtful Ehsan.
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