"We live in an environment where Muslims are portrayed as backward, looking for Western assistance and irrationally violent.”

They are not just portrayed that way; they are that way, and they are receiving active assistance from the likes of Lowenstein and the West-hating maniac, John Pilger whom Lowenstein cites as a defender of Iran.

Spin v Counter spin!

What a sad article, it reflects the reality of the world situation, rather than the spin we receive from all sides of the duopoly's of religious, political and media powers, hell bent on maintaining their dictatorships.

Considering we now live in a growing dictatorship, fueled by economic and religious greed for power, we can expect nothing less that the situation we have regarding Iran. I believe that if Iran and other countries were left alone to follow their paths, we wouldn't have the drive towards religion fundamentalism in these countries.

Sadly we are watching the technological might of christian culture hell bent on destroying any opposing god faction other countries have. Whats even worse is that they are doing it with total lies, knowing that these places can't defend themselves.

I have friends in Sweden and they are trying very hard to become non-reliant on oil and nuclear, their plans are exceptional in their approach to alternative energy sources. The biggest problem the Swedes face is their lack of resources and land mass to utilise new non polluting technologies.

In Australia we have the land, technology and resources to be able to become completely non-reliant on fossil fuels. But it won't happen, as the aim is total control by right wing evangelists in the form of sociological and economic power. Which they have obtained by stripping us of our ability to have a say in our future. Its all downhill from here, no turning back, as we have passed the point of no return.

No one has told Iran that they may not have nuclear power. But with nuclear power comes responsibility to the world at large (even without discussing waste issues!!)

The problem here is that Iran is refusing to agree to the conditions of, and even sign/ratify the UN Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. Whereas the world would have little objection to signatory countries like Australia generating power through nuclear reactors, countries that refuse inspections are rightfully castigated.

If Iran chooses to generate electricity from nuclear reactors that's their right, provided that the same levels of transparency as Australia's Lucas Heights (which could make plutonium or enriched uranium for bombs)is required to give to international inspectors.

Just because Korea, Isreal, South Africa, India, and Pakistan have disregarded the Nuclear Non Proliferation treaty should not give open-slather to everyone else.

Antony's faith in the importance of a declaration that a Swedish committee will make fossil fuels unnecessary in that country (in 15 years) is a testimony to his tendentious naivety.

He also has faith in the words of "deputy head of Russia’s foreign intelligence" agency (known as the SVR). Since when are we supposed to believe opinions of the new permutation of the KGB?

This faith heralds in his misconceptions over Iran's words and deeds. While Antony can be confident that Iran's leadership subscribes to his own values, anti Western, anti Zionism and pro Palestine, he has to understand that the potential that Iran will hold the world's No.1 oil region hostage is a legitimate concern.

The relatively young, good-looking, President of Iran has no claims to greater honesty than any American politician. Why should he and the Ayatollahs have a nuclear button? It is no defence to claim "every country is entitled to the Bomb".

An Iranian nuclear "footprint" covering the Middle East could destabilize the world oil industry and drive petrol prices through the roof.

When petrol costs $2.50 a litre because Iran is flexing its cuddly muscles in the Middle East I hope Antony's Swedish mates have come up with something.

"They are not just portrayed that way; they are that way, and they are receiving active assistance from the likes of Lowenstein..."

Leigh,

religious extremism (including the Islamic sort) angers me more than anything, but I must have missed the pro-Islamist part of Lowenstein's article.

Your blanket opposition to Lowenstein's call for transparency and peaceful solutions makes you seem - by definition - to be irrational and violent yourself.

Please try to be more coherent and constructive, before people start declaring all *Australians* to be irrational and violent...