Iran Seized U.S. Hikers in Iraq, U.S. Report Asserts
This is part of the trove of information WikiLeaks released and snatched up by NyTimes. More can be found here: nytimes.com
I found this to be quite interesting.
“‘The leadership in Iran benefits as it focuses the Iranian population on a perceived external threat rather than internal dissension,’ it notes.”
This is becoming the leitmotif of Iranian politics since ‘79. That is to deflect criticisms against the internal chaos and illiberal government by stirring the masses in fear of the “external threat,” the Great Satan or the Little Satan. This is why the Obama administration has to so delicately deal with the Green Movement in Iran. If he helps too little, and the movement fails, it’s America’s fault for not living up to their word. If he helps too much, it’s ammunition for the Iranian theocracy to keep up their ruthless regime and crusade against the West and Israel. These hikers are a contrivance to renew this “perceived external threat” orchestrated by the Iranian government in order to prevent Iranians from seeing the reality.