Geneive Abdo was quoted in National Post from statements made at the Halifax Security Forum.
On Iran, the mood was equally downbeat. Journalist Geneive Abdo, who once covered Iran for the Guardian, told the audience that the West’s big chance was in 2009, when the regime was reeling from massive street protests. Since then, the appetite for protest in Iran has dried up. What’s worse, America’s popularity is waning among ordinary Iranians. According to poll numbers she cited, a clear majority of Iranians would support the continuation of Iran’s nuclear program, even if it meant utter impoverishment due to international sanctions. As crazy as it seems, the Ayatollahs apparently have a popular mandate for driving their nation toward apocalypse.