A Tsunami of Revolution
Reader comment on item: Ahmadinejad or Mousavi?

Submitted by Fay Voshell (United States), Jun 20, 2009 at 17:11

Dr. Pipes,

I am relieved to read you have changed your mind.

A couple of observations: First, although Mousavi may initially have found himself a figurehead for token "opposition" during the election, he may now find within himself a capacity off becoming a leader of a reform movement larger than he had anticipated. We don't always know what men will become when history sweeps them onto a larger stage and a greater role in an historical play. He is now holding a script neither he nor anyone else wrote.

I do believe this: If Mousavi is not the man, another will rise to lead.

Second, I believe the revolution will be accomplished sooner than later. I anticipate the whole regime will collapse within weeks or even days. The first phase of revolution is a little like a tsunami. The first wave may recede under the pressure of the current Iranian government, which then rushes in to pick up the dead and dying fish. But even while it is scavanging and celebrating victory and the spoils; a second, more perilous wave that has been gathering force unseen, will rush in to drown the "victors" before they can flee.

Fay Voshell

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