Monday's Daily Briefing on Iran

DoctorZin reports, 8.15.2005:

Regime Crisis and Political Perspectives in Iran

Ardeshir Mehrdad and Mehdi Kia, Znet:

In the recent presidential elections in Iran, Mahmood Ahmadinejad, an unknown conservative military commander, won. His victory was surprising as many had predicted Hashemi Rafsanjani would become Iran’s next president. Rafsanjani, perhaps the second most powerful man in the Islamic Republic, was supported by a broad coalition of reformists and pragmatist elites. The shock of this surprise victory may partly explain the crude nature of some of the analyses that followed. Even more striking is the failure to address the deeper causes and background to this event, and to analyse its consequences. This article is an effort to address these issues. At the onset a few observations may be helpful: READ MORE

This is a lengthy but worthwhile read for students of Iran.

Here are a few other news items you may have missed.

• SMCCDI (Information Service):A brutal militiaman was able to escape from an ambush in the City of Varamin.
• WorldNetDaily reported that the new minister of defense of Iran has direct ties to the suicide bombing in Beirut that killed 241 Marines in 1983.
• The Times UK reported that Iran's ultra-conservative President has announced a hardline Cabinet, signaling a tougher line in negotiations with the West and sounding the death knell for the reform movement in Iran.
• Dr. Jerome Corsi, WorldNetDaily.com reported that his predictions in 'Atomic Iran' are coming true now!
• The NY Daily News said that when it comes to chutzpah, Iran's turning into an Olympian champion and there is danger in ignoring Iran's dare.
• Washington Post reported on the coming confrontation between John Bolton and Ahmadinejad, next month at the opening of the United Nations.
• And finally, The San Francisco Chronicle reported that hundreds of demonstrators called for the release of student leaders held since 1999 by the Iranian government during a rally Sunday at the Federal Building in West Los Angeles.