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Syria-Lebanon-Iran
Mideast hanging on every text and tweet from Iran
2009-06-17
From the LA Times, a story that focuses on the use of Twitter as a tool for the protesters.
Reporting from Cairo -- Footage of burning cars, masked boys and bloodied protestors in Iran is playing across the Middle East, captivating Arab countries where repressive regimes have for years been arresting political bloggers and cyberspace dissidents.

Egypt, Saudi Arabia and other Sunni nations have tense relations with President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and the Shiite-led theocracy ruling Iran. But they don't want protests in Tehran to inspire similar democratic fervor in their countries -- especially the merging of Facebook and Twitter with a potent opposition leader like Iran's presidential challenger, Mir-Hossein Mousavi.

So far, that has yet to happen. Egyptian activists, for example, have over the last year called for rallies and strikes on the Internet's social networks, but they have no galvanizing personality and are not organized enough to pose a threat to a police state controlled by President Hosni Mubarak.
Posted by:Steve White

#3  This is where a "social networking/astroturfing using politician" like Obama could do wonder but decides to vote "present". Now if there is a Reganesque on the Conservative/Freedom/Democracy side of things that could step in with some knowledge of how to use cyberspace and all its weapons you have competition here as well as there in the making. Unfortunately, the Trunks have nothing of the sort. Even Tracy McCain has to remind the GOP to update their website. Pathetic. Never waste the opportunity of a crisis except when it backtracks on your own words. Right, Rahm?
Posted by: Jack is Back!   2009-06-17 10:45  

#2  Let's include IRAQ in that list of "Freedom-tasters". Wouldn't it be great if Iraq somehow plays a role in supporting the Persians in toppling the regime.
Posted by: Captain Lewis   2009-06-17 09:36  

#1  Most say this young generation doesn't remember the democratic life before the Revolution but LA has a large educated Iranian population. I once had an Iranian dermatologist, a US educated female that fled with the clothes on her back and leaving all family behind. She kept in contact, worrying about earthquakes and the mullahs and such, but she said the hardliners are actually very few. Most people don't agree with them but fear for their lives to speak out, which is understandable, but this spark may not be put out so easily. Egypt, Turkey, Jordan, Lebanon, and the UAE have all had a taste of the West and the freedom genie is difficult to put back in the bottle.
Posted by: Lumpy Elmoluck5091   2009-06-17 09:01  

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