Freedom in Iran

Why aren't we doing more to help the people of Iran get rid of the brutal theocratic dictatorship that they so clearly want to be done with? That's one of Michael Ledeen's key questions in an excellent National Review Online essay. Here's another big question Ledeen asks: "Will any Western leader proclaim the Iranian elections a fraud?" The people of Iran don't need military rescue from the West; they need our attention. At the very least, why aren't we broadcasting freedom messages into Iran, to help bolster the incipient citizen uprising - not least given the nuclear stakes? Ledeen writes:

You will not have read about [dissenter and distinguished journalist, Akbar Ganji] in your daily newspaper, or seen his face on your evening news broadcast, nor will you have heard about him from the Department of State — which has a considerable bureaucracy devoted to the advancement of human rights — nor from the White House, nor from the self-promoting entrepreneurs of the likes of Human Rights Watch or the intellectuals and elected representatives who call for President Bush to “talk to” the mullahs in order to “resolve our disagreements.” Nor has anyone heard much about the public appeal from the Women’s Movement of Iran for a demonstration at Tehran University this coming Sunday — a declaration signed by 27 organizations.

Mr. President: How about a serious speech soon, at least from Condi?