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When President Obama was elected, it was thought a lid had been lifted of all of the pro-Iranian press in the West. Suddenly there are tourism guides in the travel sections of newspapers, news about how stylish the women are and how friendly it’s people can be. There are pro-Iranian people articles everywhere. The reason? Simple: to do what George Bush had been trying to all along – undermine the Iranian government.

For years, the Iranian clergy and top politicians have maintained a grip on power through one thing – anti-Americanism. It is a potent force in Tehran, especially since George W. Bush Junior labelled the entire country evil, dictated that they should suspend their nuclear power (and weapons) program and surrounded the entire country with American troops.

Normal Women in Tehran Wearing Jeans

What the savvy government advisors would have known all along was that the best way to undermine the Iranian government is to be totally and utterly polite and reasonable. This way, the Iranian people will have no reason to side with an oppressive and outdated regime. They will remember their Western ways from the 1970′s and campaign for the government they deserve. There is no need to punish the Iranian people for a revolution forced on them by Western arrogance four decades ago. Support them and they will sort themselves out, thankyou very much.

However, being a pretty committed media observer, the sudden appearance of this sensible approach seems not only obvious, but also contrived. Why weren’t these articles being published before? Has the Iranian government changed its tune towards Western reporters? Or, are the editors of international newspapers so close to the Establishment that their reporting reflects national policy?