The Next Phase

The latest from Iran:

Iranian security forces Tuesday cracked down on the opposition's campaign to highlight torture and abuse of prisoners in the country's post-election crisis, shutting down offices of pro-reform leaders and arresting five of their aides in a startling series of raids...  The arrests suggested that authorities aim to crush the campaign led by Mousavi and Karroubi to bring to light alleged torture and rapes of protesters who were detained in the heavy crackdown against the opposition that followed the disputed June presidential election. The abuse allegations have been deeply embarrassing for the Iranian government and the clerical leadership, amid reports that several detainees were tortured to death. Karroubi in particular has been vocal in demanding an official investigation into the allegations.

I'm still grappling with the fact that Iran's regime is more embarrassed by allegations of torture than the last American administration. That's what Cheney did to the West.

(Photo: Olivier Laban-Mattei/Getty.)