Iran Votes and Nothing Changes

Fueled by the change in the air, the rest of the world watched as Iranians went to the voting polls. With hushed voices, whispers behind closed doors, wringing hands, and restrained optimism, the world watched and hoped that Iranians would vote for a progressive and somewhat secular regime.

Iran voted.

The old regime stays put.

A growing sense of discontent is slowly settling above the Iranian land. Once the results were broadcast and Ahmadinejad was re-elected with an alleged landslide victory, protests and demonstrations eupted in some quarters of Tehran.

It felt eerily similar to the Americans re-electing Bush for the second term.

But was our optimism justifiable?

Yes, even though Lebanon elected a western-friendly, secular, and progressive party led by Saad Hariri, could we expect the same miracle recreated in Iran?

Iran has long embraced its Islamic identity and taken it to newer levels. The Republic was borne in the ashes of colonial exploitations of Iran's vast natural reserves of oil. Once successfully overthrowing the western shadows over its lands, the Republic set to work to overturn all laws and policies implemented and reminiscient of western ideaology. In the process, however, Iran managed to achieve skills and talents to develop nuclear arms. Now Iran is seen as a pivotal power in deciding the fate of the Middle East question. It is regarded as a possible threat, renegade, enemy in thwarting the successful settlement of Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

But realistically, what was the possibility that Iran would have elected a progressive regime? It has long been shrouded in western-hating rhetoric, that any indication of a party sympathizing with western ideaology is seen as a stern opposition to the Iranian ideolgy.

The only positive outcome of the Iranian election is that the power of the young people to collectively unite under one banner and seek change has emerged. Perhaps, in four years time, the younger generation will get their chance to change their country.