Upheaval in Iran: Vibrant Democracy or Full Blown Crisis?

In the largest anti-government demonstrations since the Iranian revolution of 1979, thousands of people took to the streets in Iran on Tuesday to protest the disputed presidential election in which President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was declared winner. Since the overwhelming election victory for incumbent Ahmadinejad, there have been reports of opposition members being arrested, newspapers being censored and banned and internet sites being blocked. The supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has called for an examination of opposition charges of vote-rigging and the country’s powerful Guardian Council said it would order a partial recount. In the United States the Obama administration faces a dilemma over how to respond to Iran's disputed election. Analysts say Iran's internal disarray will complicate any response to President Barack Obama's attempt to open a dialogue aimed at persuading the Islamic republic to make nuclear concessions in return for diplomatic and economic rewards. Strong criticism could backfire, but a muted response could leave an impression of weakness. Will a recount solve the dilemma that the Iranian government is facing today? And what are social ramifications for the Iranian people? On Wednesday, Riz discussed the election aftermath with Kaveh Afrasiabi , a political analyst, and author of the book “ Reading in Iran's Foreign Policy After September 11 ” and Janet Afary , professor of religious studies and feminist studies at University of California, Santa Barbara.

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Blip | June 23, 2009

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