So do Iranians like the shah more or the Khomenei's? The ones I met in Canada have been very vocal against the current regime.
This is why most of them are in Canada... In most cases those who love Iran and its people no matter what education level they have, would stay and build it... The hardship is a part of progress... Laziness and expecting others to do the job is not winners' way... although not all expats are from this sort.. I know plenty of them serving their country and people even though they are out of Iran... btw, the number of Iranian expat anywhere in world is not that much comparing to its population inside Iran... 4 to 5 millions against 80 millions
You visited Syria!!?
Where in Damascus exactly? after 2005 Syria began to improve, the economy got better... 2010 before the war started, was the best year for Syrians ...
but mostly as you said the people were happy, felt safe, free healthcare, free education, and etc...
Iran is not supporting Alasad, it is supporting the Syrian people... Iran knows what's better for their country.. it wouldn't support Alasad if majority of Syrians were against him... I'm pretty sure Iran wouldn't support an unpopular leader, it will lose a lot by supporting Alasad if he does not have support from the people...
Alasad wouldn't last in office if Syrians were against him... something people keep ignoring because it doesn't fit their agenda... Alasad is nothing... it is all about what Syrians want, Syrians only and only Syrians can decide their own fate.. and we have spoken, Alasad is the best leader for now to lead Syria against the international terrorism war...
on topic...
Long Live Iran! God bless Iran and the people of Iran!
I have been to Syria back and forth between 2004 or 5 and my last visit was around 2009. From my observations, losing Syria to savages like those of Takfiris is the biggest lose of history and civilization. I met very nice people all around Syria and as soon as they knew I am Iranian, their kindness always doubled...
I have very nice memories of Syria and its people... The Damascus had two sides.. One part was quite modern and prosperous no different than that of Tehran or other big capitals... One part was poorer locations which also exist in every big city... A short story from those days:
I have been in Beirut... Then I had a flight to Iran from Damascus, Syria... I needed to take those black old american cars to get to Damascus from Beirut... I was so late... I remember I had only 10 mins left to get from Damascus to the airport... Then the guy which was Syrian accelerated the car trying to put me there on time..then on Syrian border, Syrian guards suspected on him and his car... asking us to stop for a full fledged inspection of the car... I had no time and I was losing a very important flight... This is why I approached the Syrian officer, introducing myself asking him to ignore the guy this time so we can make it to the airport on time... I don't forget what he said... "Iranians are on our eyes... You help us with so many things as we helped you during your war with Saddam" Then delivered me a sault out of respect and let us pass through... I made it to the flight by seconds...
What amazed me the most in Syria back in those days was how beautiful Syrian girls were (and are).. Specially once when I took a train from Iran to Syria, crossing Turkey... The moment I took off the train at Aleppo station, my mind just blew up with pretty girls all over the place...
یا حسرتا یا سوریا
It takes time to rebuild Syria again but I'm sure after finishing Takfiris, Syria will be built even better this time... Most of building in Syria needed a renovation anyway!! Kidding
ability to declare war than the regularly demoratically elected President?
and who told you the supreme leader himself is not elected democratically?
The leader gets elected and supervised by a small parliament with members from all over Iran.. Then these members who elect the leader get elected by people directly through votes. Iranian constitution is still evolving after 37 years... The leader can be dismantled from the position as soon as he loses one of the essential conditions of a leader... Even some of current members of this parliament are against the leader himself....
Btw, contrary to what you most think, in Iran, it is not the leader that declares war if necessary. Most of security issues both local and international are taking care of in the national security council which has the president as the boss.
The reason Iranian adopted IRGC forces beside ordinary Army is because most of revolutions if you study them fail due to so many coups. Mostly by the armed forces such as army. Iran created a new system that guarantees a balance of power so the country can focus on its long term plans and progress instead of coup over coup with no constant progress like that of Pakistan...
So the leader gets elected by a council which members are elected directly by people.
The president gets elected directly by people..
Parliament with hundreds of members and huge effect on affairs also get elected directly be people...
The election system has some deficiencies but still is the best approach Iranians and Muslims had so far. With the time passing I think, this system will have some modifications and then we will see the first unique democracy in the world. A democracy that is not imported or imposed by the west. A democracy that beside citizens' contribution considers the majority Shia Islam teachings...