I don’t have any profound point to make, but I just think it is fascinating how the Iranian regime can celebrate the popular protests in Egypt without a trace of humility or embarrassment. I know all the explanations for why this is so (or at least most of them). What I would love to have a better grasp of is how the various Muslim and Arab “streets” see such hypocrisy. Does this carry any weight as an honest statement? Do even supporters of the Iranian regime buy it? Do the anti-Mubarak protesters take real comfort from it? I have a hard time believing many intelligent or self-aware people could take such things at face value. And if they don’t take them at face value, it explains why there’s such profound cynicism, exhaustion, and ultimately rage in the Middle East. It’s a civilization of lies.