Dear Iran / PLO / Syria

Shelling of Syrian coastal city still under way, PLO condemns attack against refugee camp  :(
http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2011/08/20118167523985930.html

‎"The shelling is taking place using gunships and tanks on houses built from tin, on people who have no place to run to or even a shelter to hide in," Yasser Abed Rabbo, the PLO secretary general, told Reuters. "This is a crime against humanity."


I've been saying since the start of these uprisings, beginning in Tunisia and Egypt 6-7 months ago, that it would eventually spread to Iran.   Now here we are on Iran's doorstep, with Syria's massacre of it's own people to prevent them from further revolt ( besides being inhumane, it is also an incredibly stupid position to take...to think that sort of violence will make ppl want you to stay in power).

Yes, it's tragic how many people have lost their lives in these revolts.... but I think this is one of the most amazing moments in our history.   Certainly since the fall of The Berlin Wall or the end of WW2.  And I do think the installed "democracies" in Iraq/Afghanistan have been a motivating factor as well.  But with Iran's neighbour and ally approaching collapse...and an increasing number of (even Arab) nations condemning Syria's actions, it really seems like we are on the edge of either lasting peace or an enormous war. (A bit black & white, I suppose)

I really hope we can avoid further conflict in the middle-east, but at this point, I think that hope is almost childish and ignorant of the facts.   The people of Iran and Syria are deserving of freedom, just as much as anyone else.   But if NATO and the U.N. go into Syria like they did in Libya....Iran will likely be drawn into the conflict even more(I'm sure they already have agents in there trying to help "quell" the protests).   And if Iran's own citizens start protesting again, they will be put down just as badly (if Iran's history of dealing with protests is any indication).   In either case, we cannot afford another war, even if only part of a coalition....financially, or on a purely human basis.   War with Iran would put the world at risk of a catastrophic (and possibly nuclear) conflict.  

In conclusion, I'd like to say the following:

Dear Iran : When Syria crumbles and the people of the world put the pressure on you next....to reform and allow ppl their freedom......please just make that concession before you bring us to the brink of WW3.   Actually, do it now.... before you start to lose power yourself, become desperate like al-Assad and Gadhafi.   If you don't reform and continue to support these sorts of brutal crackdowns and governments....the west WILL kick your ass.