By now I think the majority of people know that sunni extrimist groups are funded by the wahabi-salafi scholars in KSA and a few other sunni countries.If the US really wants to erradicate the problem perhaps they should be looking at these countries and think over their deals with them.Instead they should increase their support for the Iran deal.The difference between Iran and countries like KSA is at least they are financing terrorist organizations in the open and can be held accountable for these kind of acts.The KSA is just pushing the dagger so far from the back.
KSA is untouchable. They have Uncle Sam by the balls. Obama chose them over Canada when rejecting KeystoneXL, it just shows the priorities. Everyone knows KSA is the money bags behind ISIL and al-Qaeda despite their lip service against terrorism. KSA is just a successful ISIL. They execute women for witchcraft, in 2016. Time for the West to realise what they are.
I hate seeing everyone talk about “ISIS and terrorism” as if they are things that have just grown out of ground.Who the f financed all these groups to fight ? That dude from UAE said Iran but I guess he also thinks the world is flat.KSA & somewhat turkey are responsible for these attacks, not a looser who thinks blowing himself up is the gateway to heaven.Loosers are everywhere, look for people who guide them.
Sam, you are 100% right, while violence has been in the ME forever, KSA and its allies make sure the middle east stays in the 7th century. That said, don’t expect political discourse to take it too seriously. US establishment is fixated on Iran and “radical islamic terror”, and even people who should know better can’t keep Iran and ISIS straight.
KSA is the worst thing in the ME right now, and for a long time. I find it funny how easily most of the American public is ready to jump at Iran/ISIS but doesnt balk at the KSA and the crap they pull. I would certainly trade closer ties with the KSA for Iran
I’d like to join the anti KSA crowd right now. The rise of Iran and oil prices are beginning to check their roll but who knows that’ll last.
I think it will last. Iran has much more economic potential than any countries nearby. Big population, high education levels, natural resources, and friendship with China and Russia ensure Iran is going to be a big player.
Iran is a terrorist state, but completely different. Their motivated more by anti-Zionism via Hezbollah. They don’t like Israel, they don’t like the U.S. messing with their affairs. KSA and ISIL are completely different. KSA is on a religious campaign to kill infidels and spread Islam. Iran doesn’t have those same ends in mind… At least not as strongly. TLDR: Both Iran and KSA are bad news, but KSA is a bigger threat via proxies to the west.
How naive is it to think the Iran nuclear deal will end up making an ally out of them. With santions being lifted (and the threat of them being snapped back in place), there has already been momentum in the recent election towards voting against the conservative regime. I would think an a economy that is uplifted by amicable relations with the west would put pressure on leaders in Iran to behave.
It’s an interesting idea, but to bridge that gap, a lot of realigning has to happen on both sides, IMO making it unlikely. Iran is in the Russia/China axes while the US is aligned with the Arab states and Israel. Iran’s rulers are rational and pragmatic, but they really really resent the US and it’s hard to get over that, and they will not give up control so easily to the elected leaders. That said, a generational change in clerical leadership from Khamenei to his successor could provide opportunity, or could result in an even more hostile Iran. On our side, due to the relationship with Israel/Arabs, more rapproachment is unlikely. I think Iran will just have to be treated like China, a rival, but not an outright hostile state.
I do agree that improving relations with Iran is a good thing.
^ Iran’s leaders are more rational than say KSA, but every Middle Eastern country is still batsh*t crazy by any Western definition. We need to be careful not to fall into the trap of KSA is worse than Iran so Iran is good. Iran still regularly calls for the genocidal murder of an entire country.
While true, it some leaders in some western states are steadily approaching this as well.
I agree… it is the clerical leadership that is the problem. To harken back to the recent netflix thread, Anthony Bourdain Parts Unknown episode in Iran was very good. While I’m at it, the episode where he goes to Russia and interviews Boris Nemtsov gave me chills. He basically told the guy in so many words … you better watch your health!
He’s not leader of anything yet.
Wait a minute:
The US has military bases in KSA, invest heavily in its energy sector, sell arms, exchange intelligence information, have access to KSA databases,… while KSA is the source of all evil? Bad politics.
KSA students in the US should be forced to drink from separate fountains.
And what happened to the Iranian’s “Death to America” thing? Lost in dementia?
The quality of information in here is as the quality in Fox and Friends
I was actually curious to hear your particular input on this. I was under the impression that within Iranian culture there are those who chant “death to America” and the like… but at the same time the younger more progressive generation are keen to get past animosity, or at least move forward in a more tolerant manner. That episode of Anothony Bourdain I was speaking of highlighed the confusing dichotomy very well. “Death to America” painted on building but he, as an American, was welcomed in a friendly manner. It seems like the violent anti-west sentiment, which is connected to and inspired by the clerical leadership, is going more and more out of favor with the younger generation. What do you think?
Yes, the problem is with the clergy and 20% of the population who follow them. The problem in the Shiite sect is that it gives holiness to the clergy. They think that their Ayatollah (literary the verses from Allah) are an extension to God. Iran was the most advanced nation in the ME before the 79’s revolution. Now they’re among the poorest. They blame their miserable situation on the “Great Satan”(the US) and on the Zionists.
The same is happening with Iraq after the Shiite/Iran control. Fast deterioration.
The young generations of Iran are more pragmatic and tolerant. But their voices are muted. From time to time a reformist cleric comes into the scene, but they move him to the shadows once they learn about his progressive intentions.
The “Death to America” chant became part of the religious and political practices in Iran. It’s the slogan of their revolution.
Please someone forward this to Mr.Obama
Oh yes, the US too is culpable for backing KSA, Pakistan, and other jihad sponsoring states.
I dare you audacious to name one single Iranian Terrorist.You have been watching too many 24 types of TV shows clearly.A maximum of %15 of Iranians shout death to America and yet none of them strapped a bomb vest or flew aircraft to buildings.I actually think the KSA lobby is working hard to put Iran back in its seat,cause they want to be the big fish in ME.I don’t give a shit about either government but don’t get your facts wrong bro.