Mike Baker

For years, Davos has billed itself as a place where the world's political and business elite gather to solve global problems.

Sorry, I laughed when I read the word solve them.

Often through endless panels, lofty rhetoric, and carefully worded communiques.

They don't so much solve problems as mingle and congratulate each other on how clever and elite they are.

Do I sound churlish?

Of course, this comes amid grim reporting out of Iran, where protests were met with live fire, mass arrests, and sweeping repression.

Human rights organizations estimate that thousands have been killed during the unrest.

The Iranian regime itself has admitted at least 5,000, so you could probably double that number, with many more detained, disappeared, or injured.

Tehran, for its part, continues to deny responsibility.

Well, we had nothing to do with this.

And frame the demonstrations as foreign-backed unrest, an explanation that, of course, is worn thin with the international community.

By revoking the invitation, the World Economic Forum is signaling that even its traditionally open-door approach will invite anyone.

It has limits.

That's notable, given Davos' reputation as a forum where controversial leaders often mingle freely with Western executives and policymakers and media figures.

To be clear, it is largely a symbolic move, a little bit of kabuki theater to feel righteous.

Barring Iran's foreign minister from a conference, even one as high profile as Davos won't alter the regime's behavior.

That was another statement of the obvious.

It won't stop the crackdown or free political prisoners or bring justice to families who have lost loved ones in the streets.

But symbolism does matter in diplomacy.

And in this case, the message is clear.