Mojo’s martyr complex

This explains a lot...


It might look almost as if Iranian Wackjob Mahmoud “Mojo” Ahmadinejad is trying to get Israel or the United States to attack his country because, well, he is. In this brand of radical Islam reportedly runs a deep vein of almost suicidal martyrdom tendencies.

That might not make a lot sense to civilized folks. But Richard Poole, in that Regime Change Iran post we referenced last time, sheds this significant light on it:

An attack launched by Israel or the US that would kill tens or hundreds of thousands of Iranians would only serve to confirm the self-fulfilling prophecy of Shiite martyrdom and vindicate Ahmadinejad’s suicidal policies. In his mind, an apocalyptic act of self-initiated martyrdom unparalleled in Islamic history would undoubtedly serve to jump start the arrival of the Mahdi. In his religious calculus, the use of nuclear weapons is a win-win scenario. Such actions are not only entirely appropriate, but divinely sanctioned and wholly justified by the messianic and apocalyptic elements that Ahmadinejad and his ideological allies have attached to the Shiite martyrdom mythology.

Again, the Mahdi is the Islamic Messiah figure who mirrors our Antichrst figure disturbingly well. According to popular belief, this 12th Imam exists in a sort of state of suspended animation at the bottom of a well in the town of Jamkaran, outside Qom, just waiting for the final conflict with the infidels to make his appearance.

Accordingly, Mojo considers it his duty and destiny to provoke that final confrontation, even if it means bringing disaster upon his own people. Another fact not getting a lot of press is the extent of turmoil, dissatisfaction, opposition and strikes within Iranian society. Poole sees reason for hope:

"Mahmoud Ahmadinejad stands at the fringe of Iranian politics (which should illustrate how relative a term as “fringe” can actually be). Most hard-line clerics do not share his vision and he is opposed by some of the leading politicians in Iran, like former President Rafsanjani. Our response should exploit those divisions. But that can only be done if we are relentless in constantly checking every move that Ahmadinejad makes. He cannot be allowed even the slightest victory. Allowing him any breathing room or agreeing to any concessions is fraught with extreme peril. A persistent escalation of hostilities between Iran and the US may force the hard line clerics to deal with Ahmadinejad on their own out of sheer self-preservation."

Devotees drop prayer requests into the well at Jamkaran to the Madhi. Maybe we should drop something in as well. Like one well-placed bunker buster. No more Mr. Mahdi. Think that might change the equation just a bit?

Anybody got a number for Don Rumsfeld?