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Off-topic, I have the impression that the same applies to US policy on Iran, the majority of people appears to not understand the Iranian revolution, the Irania

by zppx 16y ago

Off-topic, I have the impression that the same applies to US policy on Iran, the majority of people appears to not understand the Iranian revolution, the Iranian regime that followed, the divergence about Iran in the Shi'a world and even what Iranians do think about their country.

hga 16y ago
Not really relevant, I'd say. To get a useful analogy, assume the Confederates had won the "War Between the States" and following that this sort of split and lack of understanding developed. Even then, it's hard to imagine the Confederacy e.g. taking such a harsh line toward contacts of any sorts with the Union. That sort of next door, you were once part of us thing is very far removed from events on the other side of the globe in country with a very different (and ancient!) culture, religion, etc. And one where visiting during a lot of these events could result in death or something quite unpleasant (they're still holding those hikers who (maybe?) strayed across the border, right?). Heck, the current regime in Iran is more outlaw than the DPRK, in terms of diplomatic protocols (our embassy) and the like, right?
- zppx 16y ago
  As I said it is completely off-topic. I'm not trying to justify the Iranian regime, my father have dual Brazilian/Israeli citizenship and I do have the majority of my relatives living in Israel right now, I do not have any sympathy for Iran, but I still think we ignore some interesting facts (and useful if we are to understand the world around us) just because of animosities between countries or because governments needs to release propaganda against its enemies, this was for me the essence of this interview about North Korea. And I do agree with you about Iran at large, but there are far more problems with Iranian foreign policy, specially in relations with its neighboring countries.

by zppx 16y ago

hga 16y ago

Not really relevant, I'd say. To get a useful analogy, assume the Confederates had won the "War Between the States" and following that this sort of split and lack of understanding developed. Even then, it's hard to imagine the Confederacy e.g. taking such a harsh line toward contacts of any sorts with the Union. That sort of next door, you were once part of us thing is very far removed from events on the other side of the globe in country with a very different (and ancient!) culture, religion, etc. And one where visiting during a lot of these events could result in death or something quite unpleasant (they're still holding those hikers who (maybe?) strayed across the border, right?). Heck, the current regime in Iran is more outlaw than the DPRK, in terms of diplomatic protocols (our embassy) and the like, right?

zppx 16y ago
As I said it is completely off-topic. I'm not trying to justify the Iranian regime, my father have dual Brazilian/Israeli citizenship and I do have the majority of my relatives living in Israel right now, I do not have any sympathy for Iran, but I still think we ignore some interesting facts (and useful if we are to understand the world around us) just because of animosities between countries or because governments needs to release propaganda against its enemies, this was for me the essence of this interview about North Korea. And I do agree with you about Iran at large, but there are far more problems with Iranian foreign policy, specially in relations with its neighboring countries.