Are Iran and North Korea baddies?

[flobadob]

America seem to think so, but is it the case?

[123everton]

With regard to what and to whom?
It's politics, choose your shade of grey.

[flobadob]

With regard to humanity I suppose. They are portrayed very poorly but very little evidence ever seems to be put forward for the claims. Is their a hidden agenda on America's part?

[David H]

I'd say the test would be to try and live there for a while. If you found N Korea was pretty much as imagined, like Maoist China but less humane then I reckon most of the residents would think the government baddies. Iran's leaders have encouraged terrorists worldwide so have more effect on others, but as for baddies I doubt anywhere comes close to Zimbabwe which you didn't mention, it's a living hell for most of its residents, black or white.

[elizajay]

I'm American, and I would have to say that North Korea deserves your "baddie" distinction. However, while Iran is a somewhat dangerous place to live now, what with dissidents being locked up left and right for making their political beliefs known, I don't think we have to be worried much about Iran following in the footsteps of N. Korea and that country's crimes against humanity. Hillary Clinton said a while ago she fears that Iran is turning into a military dictatorship, but I would say that the country's hardened stance against its citizens is further evidence that the government is desperately trying to cling onto its power. There are too many many people in Iran unsatisfied with current government that something is going to happen sooner or later. And about nuclear weapons, what is Iran going to even do with them? Attack Israel? They'd be insane to do so. The world community would be on Israel's side and then there goes any hope for the Palestinians. But I'm getting really off topic. If you're interested in a more in-depth analysis concerning Iran, I recommend reading Maziar Behari's articles and opinions. He's an Iranian-Canadian journalist/reporter for Newsweek and was actually arrested and placed in Evin Prison last year for several months shortly after the June elections. I think he lives in London now too from what I heard on NPR the other day.