Mike Pouraryan
Change in Iran: The possiblities
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A Good omen, perhaps?
Mohsen Rezai: Another Ahmadinejad
The Presidential Election in Iran is in full swing. As the moderate standard bearer, Mir Hossein Mosavi, continues his campaign, there is another new entrant: Mohsein Rezai. He is the former Commander in Chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corp who now serves as Executive Secretary of the Expediency Council charged with mediating disputes between the so-called three branches of government in Iran and carrying out certain responsiblities as designated by the Supreme Leader, Ali Khameini.
I find this to be quite signifcant because the so-called conservative faction in the Iranian Political hierachy is not happy with Idiotnejad. The country's economy has been driven to the ground with a 25% inflation and 12.5% unemployment. The country continues to be dodged by the President's ill-fated comments, misguided political posturing and outright mismanagement of the economy. The need for change is ever more vital now. The question is whether this change will occur soon enough and whether the current governmental structure allow the necessary reforms to occur. Khatami was elected with this hope in mind. He ended up being stymied by the very conservative elements which led to the election of Ahmadinejad.
Idiotnejad should not be counted out. He has the full machinery of the state and the power of incumbency. I have always wondered if the Bush Adminstration had the sense to talk to Iran when Iran made the overture in 2003 during Khatami's Presidency . I wonder what may have been if this would have happened. Now, we will never now.
