Some are calling on President Obama to issue harsh statements condemning election fraud in Iran.
This would be a mistake.
Taking a hard line on Iran has produced no results thus far, and it gives the like of President Ahmedinejad plenty of propaganda. It also stokes popular anger at the West among Iranians, as they feel ignored, oppressed and persecuted by a hypocritical world power.
The issues of dignity and pride are much more important than most in the West realize. Being preached to be former colonial powers, powers that caused the world financial crisis, and who brazenly violated their own laws to fight terrorism at any cost is something which only drives people further from us, not towards.
Don't confuse protest and popular anger at a domestic leader with support for the West. Many who stand up and fight for rights, against tyranny and corruption, also have deep anger towards the United States and sometimes other powers.
The events in Iran have inspired many misinformed articles with superficial analyses written with no regional understanding.
The US and Europe should not meddle in this matter. This is up to Iranians, and any support for the opposition from us will only serve Khamenai and Ahmedinejad.
I do have one question though - why in the world did the authorities not wait until enough time had passed for the votes to be counted before announcing a predetermined result?
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