I'm not sure that the United States foreign policy toward Iran's government while the youthful population of Iran appears pro-Western is a paradox. By one definition, a paradox is a statement that seeems to contradict itself. I can honestly say that all human government does seem paradoxical from time to time, our current administration no exception. However, our government's stance is toward the policy makers of Iran, not its youth. I believe that the crux of the matter is Iran's preference for Palestine over Isreal, although I am aware that sounds naive and simplistic.
First, to gain better understanding of the series of events that led us to where we are today, I did a little on-line research. I began by visiting the CIA's World Fact Book. I love our country. So much information with such little effort. The site is posted by the CIA. It has to be true! (Is that a paradox? Just kidding.) Seriously, the web site offers a wealth of information. I highly recommend you check it out. Here are some interesting factoids:
1. Iran's government is a Theocratic Republic, established April 1, 1979.
2. Iranian students seized the U.S. Embassy November 4, 1979 and held it until
January 20, 1981). Incredible! What was that about?!
3. Iran's Constitution was enacted December 3, 1979.
4. Iran's flag consists of three horizontal stripes: green, white, and red. A sylized tulip,
a symbol for martyrdom, is centered in the white stripe. ALLAH AKBAR(God is Great) repeats
itself in Arabic on the edges of the white stripe.
Now, please forgive me if I err in my following interpretation of Iran's governance or any person's names. I mean no disrespect, I am trying to understand a culture that I have not had much exposure to. My understanding is that Iran has a Supreme Leader (Khamenei) who is the chief of state. President Ahmadi-Nejad answers to the Supreme Leader. The president is the head of the government, which is comprised of three branches: executive, legislative, and judicial. (Sound familiar?) President Ahmadi-Nejad was elected by a 62% vote over his rival. He is serving a four year term, and is eligible for a second consecutive term. The legislative branch has 290 seats, 170 held by Conservative/Islamists, 46 Reformers, 71 Independents, and 3 Religious Minorities. While I don't pretend to understand the basic political agendas of these subgroups, I think it interesting to see some diversity within the legislative body. I was surprised to see that Iran is party to the Kyoto Protocal, and has interest in biodiversity and endangered species issues.
I also learned from the above-mentioned website that seven major languages are spoken in Iran, reflecting the following ethnic groups: Persian, Azeri, Gilaki, Mazandarani,Kurd, Arab, Lur, Balach, and Turkmen. 914,268 Afghani and 54,024 Iraqi refugees are also estimated to be in Iran at this time. My purpose for listing these statistics is to create a reference frame for who the 'Iranians' are.
Now I'd like to address the issue of youth. By the CIA's July 2008 estimate, consider this: 72% of the population is between the ages of 15-64 years old. The life expectancy is about 70 years old. The median age is 26. Iran's standard for literacy is the ability to read and write at 15 years of age. Approximately 83% of Iran's males and 70% females are literate, respectively.
Many of the highly educated populace has left Iran, creating a 'brain drain.' This may be attributed to 12% unemployment or 17% inflation. Iran has its share of air pollution, deforestation, desertification, lack of potable water, and an 18% poverty rate.
I wanted to learn more about the Iranian youth that is so pro-Western. I checked out IslamOnline.net, and found out about two groups: Muslim Youth for Humanity, and Youth 4 the future. These organizations were involved with an Islam Expo in London this July. Like young people all over the world, these folks have vision for a better world. They are putting the power of their faith into action, helping those in need around the globe. I could not get specific information to support the question posed before me. What I did find is what everyone already knows. Individual people, no matter what creed, race, or religion, are capable of doing good or evil. The American Government and the Iranian Government are run by individual people. I love my country dearly, but I know that we have lost respect by many in this world. I pray that the next President of the United States has the audacity of hope to open channels of communication with other governments, and by his model, the peoples of the world will be encouraged to continue to love and serve each other at the grass roots level. Again, this may sound naive and simplistic, but what is the alternative? How many levels of hell do we wish to impose upon ourselves?