Post by Andrey Voronov on Aug 22, 2015 22:49:10 GMT
I'm Katerina Ulyanova, and welcome back to FFN. Our top story this afternoon, diplomatic talks between the 4 CSTO applicants in the Middle East continue as Tehran fills with national representatives and dignitaries from Syria, Kurdistan, Afghanistan, and Iran. Russian Prime Minister Sofiya Nikolaeva has taken the place in negotiating CSTO ascension after President Voronov was unable to fulfill this task due to international diplomacy requirements.
The recently aligned Syria, Kurdistan and Afghanistan, along with their citizens and many Iranian citizens have pressured Iran to halt the "sickening foreign influence of the Americans" by joining the CSTO, as said by the Kurdish leader himself. Indeed, much trade of the large nation comes from the organization's member states, including Russia, Azerbaijan, and Kazakhstan. After the Middle Eastern war over a decade ago, Iranian natural gas and oil fields were devastated by conflict and were virtually exhausted, leaving industry to wither, until a partnership between the CSTO (most prominently Russia and Azerbaijan) allowed Iran to reinvigorate it's industrial capacity. Azerbaijan also delivered general aid packages to it's long time partner to help Iran recover from many years of non-stop conflict.
Throughout recent history, the Russian Federation has been a consistently friendly nation to Iran. It maintained relations and trade even when the nation was being intensely sanctioned by much of the western world. Ever since the Iranian Revolution of 1979 ousted the Shah Pahlavi, relations have ranged from cold to non-existent with the United States at times, and for decades both countries did not even have an embassy with the other. On the other hand, Russia had an active relationship with Iran, including much of it's military being supplied by Russian arms manufacturers. In a show of friendship, the Russian administration lifted the ban of S-300 missile sales to the Iranians in response to repeated American aggression towards Iran.
An Iranian S-300 in the streets of Bushehr
Analysts also say that the Iranian decision is a geopolitically sound move, owing to the fact that Iran is in the immediate proximity of the CSTO and is thus able to be much more easily protected and defended by it's allies, and can firmly secure the status of a regional power. Should Iran enter an alliance with America, then the Islamic nation will become surrounded by enemies, can become easily cut off, and will not be ensured safety - the NAU and all of it's allies are a prime target for the GLA, not to mention regional rivals of the Iranians - however, the CSTO is safe and the GLA has not officially sponsored attacks on the homes of Russia or it's allies. An alliance with America means Iran becomes a target, effectively geopolitical suicide, something even the famed 'Colonel Burton' could not stop - with Russia, it shall become a safe haven from aggression.
In addition, many government officials of Syria, Kurdistan, and Afghanistan, now CSTO members, are urging Iran to join them in their ascension, lest they be left with no close partners and give up their ensured protection. "It is our destiny to fulfill the dream of being under the protection of our lasting strong ally.. I suggest you take it, lest the chance disappears forever." said the President of Syria, the son of the famed Bashar al-Assad who defeated a western-sponsored rebellion and restored order to the Syrian people.
Hopefully, Iran will make the right decision, and will not drift towards those who will bring their nation to ruins, and those who will not fulfill the wishes of their proud people. This is Katerina Ulyanova, your news reporter this afternoon, signing off.
