by George F Pecoraro

Created on: July 06, 2008   Last Updated: January 09, 2009

What some deem a paradox within Iran is actually not. It is easily explainable. It reflects more of an acceptance of "cultural aspects of the west" then ideological western concepts.

I warn those who think this seemingly antinomy is exploitable, it is not. Any adjustment in foreign policy should be made from a " Less is more" point of view. Greater efforts at "disassociation" from USA foreign policy would be the best way to use this outward looking paradox. This would likely achieve more results that are favorable. Foreign policy initiatives towards Iran require careful, objective scrutiny.

It is fraught with dangers: political, social, economic, and physical danger to Iranians caught in attempts to exploit this non-existing paradox. This is especially true should any "covert" actions be contemplated to increase its dimensions.

Backlash from attempts to leverage this into foreign policy, as some kind of manipulative political tool, can quickly undo any good arising from an objective evaluation and understanding of this interesting phenomena.

Let me explain the genesis of my thinking.

Two events in my personal history, I do believe, give me a valid perspective on this "paradox." The first took place in England in 1967 while visiting there. Standing in the middle of Trafalgar square I found myself witness to a large Anti-American, anti-war demonstration.

It was a parade marching directly towards my position. At the front was a group of young people carrying a banner. It proclaimed to represent the communist party, and had a local chapter number on it. I remember shaking my head thinking. "A-HA!" So it is the commies behind all the anti American demonstrations!

At that moment, a young English woman (perhaps a student) handing out flyers of obvious anti American sentiments offered me one. I remember saying, "No thanks, I'm American, don't need to read why you hate Americans" which she replied " Oh No! No! We don't hate Americans, we love Americans, it's your Government's Policies we object to, not the people of America!"
That encounter now comes back to me for consideration. Eerily they mirror the so-called pro western inclinations of Iranian youth. They may like Western style clothing, music, and freedom of artistic expression; this is a culturally positive effect, not a foreign policy mandate to exploit. Less is more, as far as foreign policy is concerned.

Another insight was presented to me by an unlikely and unexpected source. It was from a Vietnamese boy about 12 or

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