Once a terrorist, not always a terrorist

Mon, 24 Sep 2012 20:49:00 +0000

On Friday, the State Department removed Iranian exile group MEK (Mujahedin-e-Khalq) from its list of foreign terrorist organizations. Over the weekend, commentators responded to the news with skepticism over the motives, procedures, political maneuvers and payoffs that seem to determine which groups do or do not count as terrorists.

MEK, Iranian dissidents who lost a power struggle with Ayatollah Khomenei supporters in the years following the 1979 Islamic Revolution, relocated to Iraq and established allegiances with Saddam Hussein. For 15 years the group has been listed among foreign terrorist organizations by the State Department. Although considered cultish by many, MEK has preserved and fostered strong U.S. ties, especially among a handful of conservatives, who share the group's desire to overthrow Iran's government. Both Republicans and Democrats have received substantial fees to talk at MEK events, while advocating in Washington on the group's behalf.

Salon.com > Mujahedin-e-Khalq

Once a terrorist, not always a terrorist