# American Fomented "Destabilization" of Iran **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [May 25, 2003, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-fomented-destabilization-of-iran/177436 "2003-05-25T19:05:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2003, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-fomented-destabilization-of-iran/177436/21 "2003-05-26T17:39:33Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by MC Master of Cermonies \* > \*\*It’s still difficult and costly for the Conservatives to impose their power on the reformers. > > Also, just out of interest Iran’s president and leader of the reformers also happens to be an Ayatollah too. \*\* Correct me if I’m wrong, but don’t the clerics have the ultimate decision of who gets put on the ballots, at least on the national level? If ture, and I think it is, that would tip the balance of power greatly in favor the clerics. ---
**Author:** ![MC\_Master\_of\_Ceremonies](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/bb73d2/32.png) [@MC\_Master\_of\_Ceremonies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MC_Master_of_Ceremonies)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2003, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-fomented-destabilization-of-iran/177436/22 "2003-05-26T17:54:50Z")
I’m not sure John Mace, I’m sure the Council of Guardians could veto a candidate, but the ballots in the last election were full of reformers. Iran is to all intents and purposes a democracy, but it is a completely unique kind of democracy. It certainly isn’t less democratic than say for example Turkey. ---
**Author:** ![PatriotX](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c4cdca/32.png) [@PatriotX](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PatriotX)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2003, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-fomented-destabilization-of-iran/177436/23 "2003-05-26T18:11:33Z")
According to the [Beeb](http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/654135.stm): > [@](#): > > She went on to qualify the word “free” as a relative concept, given the restrictions imposed on candidates. > > They all have to demonstrate their loyalty to the Islamic Republic and swear allegiance to the system which gives the Supreme Leader sweeping powers. ---
**Author:** ![MC\_Master\_of\_Ceremonies](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/bb73d2/32.png) [@MC\_Master\_of\_Ceremonies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MC_Master_of_Ceremonies)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2003, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-fomented-destabilization-of-iran/177436/24 "2003-05-26T18:49:40Z")
I stand by my Turkey comparision, if you replace the “Council of Guardans” with the “Turkish Army” the two democracies are pretty analagous. They have two competing power bases, with the unelected power bases both having ultimate control but mostly eschewing politics. ---
**Author:** ![PatriotX](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c4cdca/32.png) [@PatriotX](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PatriotX)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2003, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-fomented-destabilization-of-iran/177436/25 "2003-05-26T18:52:10Z")
Will the US attempts at destabilisation increase regional solidarity? Even within just the Shia community? ---
**Author:** ![MC\_Master\_of\_Ceremonies](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/bb73d2/32.png) [@MC\_Master\_of\_Ceremonies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MC_Master_of_Ceremonies)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2003, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-fomented-destabilization-of-iran/177436/26 "2003-05-26T18:57:56Z")
I don’t know, but the reformists are making real headway there and Iran is starting to develop good relations with a few European countries who want to foster the new direction Iran is going. It’s also hard to see how the US could destabilize Iran as the progressive elements are in support of Iran’s current president. ---
**Author:** ![PatriotX](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c4cdca/32.png) [@PatriotX](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PatriotX)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2003, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-fomented-destabilization-of-iran/177436/27 "2003-05-26T19:04:59Z")
Well, who the eff knows what the wonks in the admin are thinking? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-fomented-destabilization-of-iran/177436.md?page=1)