Iran: April 11, 2003

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 The fall of Saddam Hussein had predictable, and very strange, results in Iran. The pro-reform newspapers hailed the fall of the hated Saddam. This is an attitude held by the vast majority of Iranians. But the religious and conservative papers were dismayed, and some asserted that the hated Saddam had made a deal to hand over Baghdad to the Americans. Reasons for this were not given, and not really required, as everyone knows that Saddam is evil incarnate and capable of anything. The religious conservative minority are painting themselves into a corner, but because they still show themselves willing to use violence to maintain their veto over any laws they don't like, the majority are still reluctant to assert their rights as the political majority.