theatlantic: Why Iranian Public Opinion Is Turning Against the Nuclear Program Times have changed. Today’s Iran is one marred by internal problems, from the power struggle between Ahmadinejad and Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei to the tightly controlled parliamentary elections to the worsening economic strains on the daily lives of Iranians. Official figures put inflation at 21.6% and unemployment at 11.8%, although independent economists estimate that it is much higher. The Iranian currency, following the latest sanctions on Iran’s Central Bank and its oil exports, has lost over 50% of its value, making trade riskier and more expensive for Iranians. Naturally, public attention has shifted to daily problems. Many Iranians now consider pursuit of the nuclear program as too costly. As Iranians continue to face economic sanctions and tough talk from abroad as well as economic and political turmoil at home, their support for a nuclear program will likely continue to drop. The interesting question is whether or not this changing opinion will trickle up into the regime itself. The nuclear program is still closely tied to national pride in Iran, but the decreasing support for it could present possible opportunities for the West. Read more. [Image: AP]

theatlantic:

Why Iranian Public Opinion Is Turning Against the Nuclear Program

Times have changed. Today’s Iran is one marred by internal problems, from the power struggle between Ahmadinejad and Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei to the tightly controlled parliamentary elections to the worsening economic strains on the daily lives of Iranians. Official figures put inflation at 21.6% and unemployment at 11.8%, although independent economists estimate that it is much higher. The Iranian currency, following the latest sanctions on Iran’s Central Bank and its oil exports, has lost over 50% of its value, making trade riskier and more expensive for Iranians.

Naturally, public attention has shifted to daily problems. Many Iranians now consider pursuit of the nuclear program as too costly.

As Iranians continue to face economic sanctions and tough talk from abroad as well as economic and political turmoil at home, their support for a nuclear program will likely continue to drop. The interesting question is whether or not this changing opinion will trickle up into the regime itself.

The nuclear program is still closely tied to national pride in Iran, but the decreasing support for it could present possible opportunities for the West.

Read more. [Image: AP]

Mar. 16 2012
Via The Atlantic
50 notes

Notes

  1. okorogariist reblogged this from theatlantic
  2. pod313 reblogged this from theatlantic
  3. hairtrending reblogged this from anindiscriminatecollection
  4. anindiscriminatecollection reblogged this from theatlantic
  5. robertceivers reblogged this from theatlantic
  6. trevowens reblogged this from theatlantic
  7. pointlesspostsbymatt reblogged this from theatlantic
  8. activismisawar reblogged this from theatlantic
  9. deusadiana reblogged this from theatlantic
  10. jjarichardson reblogged this from theatlantic
  11. thevalidfallacy reblogged this from theatlantic
  12. bloomradio reblogged this from theatlantic
  13. nerdscloset reblogged this from theatlantic
  14. theadamglass reblogged this from theatlantic
  15. themissourireview reblogged this from theatlantic
  16. conconscorner reblogged this from theatlantic
  17. pejmanyousefzadeh reblogged this from theatlantic
  18. thepeacefulterrorist reblogged this from theatlantic
  19. trotskitty reblogged this from theatlantic
  20. theatlantic posted this