December 9th, 2009 by Jason

The AP reports clashes between government militia and students continued for a second straight day, after over 200 protesters were arrested on Monday. Protesters “showed an increased fervor and boldness” as Basij threw stones and fired tear gas into the crowds. Meanwhile, Mir Hossein Moussavi and his wife were accosted by Basij militiamen as he tried to join the protests. He reportedly shouted at the militia, “You’re agents. Do whatever you’ve been ordered to do, kill me, beat me, threaten me.”

The New York Times also noticed a ratcheting up of rhetoric, with protesters burning photos of both Ayatollah Khamenei and Aytollah Khomeiniwhile waving Iranian flags that did not include the emblem of the Islamic revolution. Given this kind of rejection of the Islamic Revolution, the article admits “it has become unclear how much Mr. Mousavi speaks for the opposition, which includes many who appear to be taking a more radical approach and demanding an end to the theocracy.”

TPM has posted a photo gallery of the protests. The opposition will have more opportunities to coopt national holidays for protests soon, with both the holy month of Moharram and the anniversary of the Islamic revolution coming soon. Specifically, niacINsight reports that the next large demonstration is expected on December 12th, the six-month anniversary of the disputed June 12th elections.

But the opposition and regime continue to square off in other arenas besides street demonstrations. InsideIran reports that the government closed a major reformist newspaper in Iran while also announcing state-owned television will now broadcast more Islamic programming. In response to such crackdowns, Reporters Without Borders has launched a new campaign to support Iranian journalists. According to the organization, “the press freedom situation is getting worse by the day in Iran.” Meanwhile, niacINsight posts several examples of the “ingenious new strategy” to write pro-opposition slogans on bank notes. 

The Christian Science Monitor explores how the regime’s security forces “are widening their net - and definition - of potential opponents as they try to stamp out months of dissent.” They specifically cite the plight of Parastou Forouhar who has been prevented from returning home to Germany after coming to Iran to commemorate the anniversary of the murder of her dissident parents. Such developments have led Massoumeh Torfeh to observe that “dissent is on the increase. And the government’s inability to deal with their demands strengthens the protesters’ resolve […] the opposition will continue and are likely to be joined by people from other layers of society who may object to planned substantial cuts in government subsidies.”

In an interview with Middle East Progress, Karim Sadjadpour contends “both the government and the opposition are in precarious positions. The regime hasn’t recouped its lost legitimacy, and will continue to lose supporters as the economic situation deteriorates. They increasingly resemble a military junta […] As for the opposition, its leadership and brain trust remains either in prison, under house arrest or unable to freely operate.” Responding to Sadjadpour, Steve Clemons argues “the sanctions path on trying to influence Iran’s behavior has more to do with providing a focus for American frustration and emotion than achieving a successful course correction with Iran.” Clemons elaborates,  ”what the sanctions may do, however, beyond making those angry with Iran’s behavior feel better is help give Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad the external provocation to further justify their actions and themselves and permit a further consolidation of power.”

In response to the Senate seeking to vote on the Iran Refined Petroleum Sanctions Act under an expedited procedure, M.J. Rosenberg points to Lara Friedman of Peace Now. She observes the proposed gasoline sanctions would “target the Iranian people, in the hope that if the people become miserable enough they will pressure their government to change course.” However, Friedman contends “this is a strategy that few experts believe will work [and the] immediate result will be a backlash by the people of Iran against the United States, not against the Iranian regime”  Nonetheless, Michael Rubin at NRO claims the Iranian diaspora are “hailing” proposed gasoline sanctions because “they understand that coercion conducted alongside diplomacy ofeten makes diplomacy more effective.”

Posted in Diplomacy, Elections, Freedom, Human Rights, Iran, Islam and Democracy, Journalism, Legislation, Multilateralism, Oil, Protests, US foreign policy, US politics, sanctions |