Thanks paranoidmystic,

In fact we should support NGOs that are local and directly involved with energizing civil society, rather than international NGOs whose goals are not to get involved such as AI, HRW and the various medical rescue institutions. We need to support Women, students, labor, minorities, human rights,journalists groups inside Iran (and in exile) who are struggling to establish pluralist democracy. Those equivalent of Solidarity in Poland, dissidents of the Soviet Union or anti-Aparhteid groups. They will take the struggle into their societies. Nothing really new that we haven't seen before, but Washignton and Brussels must declare it as a policy and engage without any complex in this direction.

As with regards to the "Cedars Revolution" example offered by paranoidmystic, the example is right on target but not the explanation. The US voted for UNSCR 1559 and stopped there. None of the requests made by the Cedars Revolution regarding media and other NGO assistance have materialized in time. Instead the Bush Administration was badly advised to deal with the Lebanese Government and send some spare parts to the Lebanese Army. Both the Bush and Obama Adminstrations were and are badly advised on how to support democratic revolutions. The so-called "advisors" are the ones we need to question.

To Wendy,
Indeed US interest must always come first. Offering aid is a decision made by the nation when it feels its national interest and security is at stakes. There are no permanent "always intervene" and "always never intervene." Past involvements ranges from WWI, WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Panama, Grenada, Yugoslavia twice, and the many other places. Past non interventions covered Darfur, Sudan, Lebanon (15 years), etc. So, there are no firm mechanisms but decisions to be made based on our values and our interests. Having solved that first issue, I consider a US open support (non military) to the uprising in Iran in our interest. One the current regime is dangerous, and any challenger (any at this point) is better. Two, inside the...