October 30, 2009
Free Running
Sometimes speaking truth to power, even when you're in power, means risking your life. That's why Abolhassan Banisadr, the first President of Iran following the 1979 revolution, fled in 1981 to take up political asylum in France. Nor has he seen eye to eye with the clerics ever since. What's surprising is that Mr. Banisadr's critique of the Iranian regime, of what's going on in Afghanistan, and of developments in the Islamic world generally, isn't pitched at particular contextual facts so much as at core beliefs. Exactly the sort of thing we mean by thinking outside the box. It's a special honor to have been able to talk with President Banisadr, for which I'm quite grateful. Note: this podcast is a three-way conversation with Dr. Mahmood Delkhasteh interpreting from English to Persian and back again. Total runtime an hour and twenty four minutes. ☮
Comments
Thanks for this wonderful interview.
One part was of great significance to me. I can't make any comments about whether there really are secret dealings between the US and the Iranian governments, but to me, it's as bright as day that the need for "enemies" is vital for the Iranian regime's survival. The current despots rule over the public's emotions and beliefs.
Nothing can help their agendas better than creating holy and unholy figures. They constantly inspire this feeling to the public that there are enemies out there that want to rub you off of your faith, culture, wealth and independence and can suppress any ideology or movement by associating them with these so-called enemies. Unfortunately the western world has done more than enough to help them in their cause!
Posted by: Capsaicin | November 9, 2009 8:32 AM