If Iran Is Larger Than Originally Thought--Which Muslim Land Is Smaller?

Iran is now claiming that it is 14% larger than what the maps say:

Iran’s total area is larger than previously thought by some 14 percent, Defense Minister Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi was quoted by the website of state television as saying Monday.

Is Iran Becoming An Also-Ran As A Power In The Middle East?

Iran may pride itself on its nuclear program and the influence it will allow it to wield, but by the same token--Iran now finds itself backtracking on its support of its key ally Syria:

...on Thursday, President Ahmadinejad of Iran became the most recent, and perhaps the most unexpected, world leader to call for President Assad to end his violent crackdown of an uprising challenging his authoritarian rule in Syria.

When the Arab Spring broke out, upending the regional order, Iran seemed to emerge a winner: its regional adversary, Hosni Mubarak of Egypt, was ousted from power and its most important ally, Syria, was emboldened.

But the popular demands for change swept into Syria, and now, as Mr. Assad’s forces continue to shoot unarmed demonstrators, Iran sees its fortunes fading on two fronts: its image as a guardian of Arab resistance has been battered, and its most important regional strategic ally is in danger of being ousted.

Panetta: The End Of The Iranian Regime (is only a matter of time)

US Defense Secretary Leon Panetta thinks the "Arab Spring" will spread to Iran:

Panetta, a former CIA director who took over the Pentagon's top job in July, was asked on the Charlie Rose television show whether the Arab Spring might spread to non-Arab Iran. Panetta responded: "Absolutely."

Iran Is Not The Only One Trying To Increase Its Influence--Here Comes Turkey!

We know that Iran claims to be sending a submarine and a warship to the Red Sea in order to "convey the message of peace and friendship to all countries."

At the same time it looks like Turkey is feeling equally magnanimous in sharing its naval forces in the Middle East and offering to escort ships looking to break Israel's blockade of Gaza:

"The eastern Mediterranean will no longer be a place where Israeli naval forces can freely exercise their bullying practices against civilian vessels," a Turkish official was quoted as saying.

And while they're in the area, Turkey is improving its ties with Egypt:

Erdogan's intention is to extend Turkey's influence to areas it has not reached in past decades.

Maybe it's just a coincidence that Turkey is getting friendly with Egypt at the same time that  Iran is working on increasing it's influence in Egypt by improving relations with the Muslim Brotherhood.


Two such friendly countries, offering help and friendship around the Middle East!


Except in Syria.