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[Il Palazzo]

I have met a considerable number of Russians who believe the West did (and may still do) exactly that.

But "the West" did fund islamist extremists.

And all other extremists too. All's fair in the battle against communism.

Weeeell...
http://www.amazon.com/Wall-Street-Bolshevik-Revolution-Capitalists/dp/190557035X

[Owlbread]

I have met a considerable number of Russians who believe the West did (and may still do) exactly that.

But "the West" did fund islamist extremists.

Of course, that is common knowledge. That isn't what I was referring to though, I was referring to allegations that we funded the Chechen rebels.

[alway]

So this is interesting: http://worldnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/09/08/20339435-is-iran-coming-in-from-the-cold-hints-pile-up-as-new-president-prepares-for-nyc-trip?lite

[MetalSlimeHunt]

I'm not impressed. There will never be any real change in Iran until the Iranians tear down the theocracy.

[Helgoland]

I'm not impressed. There will never be any real change in Iran until the Iranians tear down the theocracy.

Meh, some reform first would make the transition much smoother.
Any estimates for the Great Iranian Revolution? I'd say within the next thirty years, though I know next to nothing about the subject

[Descan]

Well, the last one was... 30ish years ago.

Unless you count the 2009 thing. >_>

[Baffler]

This just in! In a surprising move, the Russians have said that they will attempt to convince the Syrian government to surrender its chemical weapons stockpiles to avoid a U.S strike.

[shadenight123]

The Italian Journalist the Syrians kidnapped returned home.
He claims the Rebels are the one using the Toxic Gases.

[MetalSlimeHunt]

They're probably both using it, but the loyalists are definitely the ones who made it to begin with.

[Zangi]

Don't worry guys, somehow... it'll all work out. 

By bombing the shit out of the Assad regime, the rebels who are most likely to use the chemicals will seize the most power/influence when the regime finally crumbles.  Ironically, they will gas the fellow rebels who would oppose their rise and the international community will look away as if it never happened.

And there will be a genocide of the...  Alawites(if I remember correctly, this is the group in power?) that the international community will soundly ignore.

All the while, the international community will pat themselves on the backs, saying job well done.

[MonkeyHead]

This just in! In a surprising move, the Russians have said that they will attempt to convince the Syrian government to surrender its chemical weapons stockpiles to avoid a U.S strike.

I would be very suprised if this is an idea Russia has come up with on its own. I strongly suspect that someone has said that if they can get Syria to hand over its stock of chemical weapons there need not be a strike - a "ball is in your court" kind of move which saves everyone face, if it works or not.

[10ebbor10]

Don't worry guys, somehow... it'll all work out. 

By bombing the shit out of the Assad regime, the rebels who are most likely to use the chemicals will seize the most power/influence when the regime finally crumbles.  Ironically, they will gas the fellow rebels who would oppose their rise and the international community will look away as if it never happened.

And there will be a genocide of the...  Alawites(if I remember correctly, this is the group in power?) that the international community will soundly ignore.

All the while, the international community will pat themselves on the backs, saying job well done.

Oil will be sold at record low prices.

I'm not impressed. There will never be any real change in Iran until the Iranians tear down the theocracy.

Meh, some reform first would make the transition much smoother.
Any estimates for the Great Iranian Revolution? I'd say within the next thirty years, though I know next to nothing about the subject

You have a lingering hate for said theocracy, do you. All in all, the system is not much different than the US's Supreme court, except somewhat more influential.

[Il Palazzo]

This just in! In a surprising move, the Russians have said that they will attempt to convince the Syrian government to surrender its chemical weapons stockpiles to avoid a U.S strike.

I would be very suprised if this is an idea Russia has come up with on its own. I strongly suspect that someone has said that if they can get Syria to hand over its stock of chemical weapons there need not be a strike - a "ball is in your court" kind of move which saves everyone face, if it works or not.

Turns out this article was right in its analysis:
http://defense-update.com/20130907_45211.html

The recent mission{of Nikolai Filchenkov} coincided with an unplanned US-Russian summit at St. Petersburg. Although no such meeting was priori arranged between President Barak Obama and Vladimir Putin at the G20 conference in St Petersburg, the meeting between the two leaders (just them, no staff) lasted 30 minutes. Following the meeting no announcements were given to the media, which seems strange under the present Syrian crisis, that has already dominated the Summit.

[Helgoland]

You have a lingering hate for said theocracy, do you. All in all, the system is not much different than the US's Supreme court, except somewhat more influential.

Nah, but ultimately they'll have to go - that sort of political system is a thing of the past. To be honest, I'm hoping for a slow opening of the country along with cooperation with its neighbors and the EU (Middle East is to Europe as Middle America is to the US - not exactly our back yard, but definitely an area we should take a strong long-term interest in). That would mean quite a bit of movement on the European side as well - I may be biased, but I'm not one-sided

[10ebbor10]

As far as political progressiveness goes, Iran is pretty far ahead compared to the rest of the Middle East.