It seems to me that either somebody who attended the alleged speech accurately related this particular phrase to Tariq Ali a week after the event, who then decided to sit on it for several years before accurately relating it to Richard Seymour for publication, OR they have misconstrued Christopher’s words. Considering Hitchens respect and hopes for the Iranian people, I favour the latter.

It is particularly concerning that Tariq Ali chose not to go public with the statement while Christopher Hitchens was alive and in a position to defend himself.

thank you for beeing so dilligent, as always. I would just like to throw in my 2 cents into the ring on this matter. For those unfamiliar with Mr. Hitens’s opinions on foreign policy in general and on Iran in particular, might I suggest a very interesting exchange with George Packer:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t8eHlWJbTuI or a short speech, for those with things to do: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qrBVQjivS08

Now I will make a bold statement: Considering his contempt for totalitarian regimes, and his sympathy and alliegence to it’s victims I think it is justified to assume, that this is a simple matter of misquotation (not withstanding everything you pointed out already).

If he ever said anything like that, which I think i quite possible – it was almost certainly: “As for that benighted regime, I wouldn’t shed a tear if it was wiped off the face of this earth.” Which of course would mean something else entirely, or at any rate would not imply genocide.

And this is no to say, that one has to agree with his opinions on how to get rid of such a regime. And I find it boring, tiresome and annoying, that nowdays one must apparently always include this nifty caveat, when making a point of principle to avoid trolls.

Sorry for the overlong post, but there it is.

Keep doing what you are doing, I very much enjoy and appreciate your Podcast.

Greetings from Wroclaw!