(Daily Star-Lebanon/bitterlemons-international) Sadegh Zibakalam - Observers of Iran must be baffled by the "death to Russia" slogan that many Iranians shout at their street demonstrations. Ever since the Islamic Revolution in 1979 the familiar slogans have been "death to America," "death to Israel" and occasionally "death to Britain." Why have so many Iranians turned against Russia? Many Iranians blame the Russians for masterminding the brutal suppression that followed the controversial Iranian presidential elections in June. Rumors circulated in Tehran that Russian security advisers had strongly recommended to Iranian leaders to stand firm against any opposition protests. In addition, protesters generally tended to oppose the Islamic regime's friends and allies at the international level, viewing them as the enemy. The writer is a professor of Iranian studies at Tehran University.
2009-12-23 08:38:42Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive