Ahmadinejad rival named speaker

TEHRAN, Iran — In a potential major political shift in Iran, a political rival to Iran's president was elected by an overwhelming majority as speaker of the Parliament on Wednesday. The new speaker, Ali Larijani, Iran's former chief nuclear negotiator, is viewed by the West as a moderating influence in Tehran. Larijani could use his new post to challenge the president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, against whom he ran for president in 2005. The vote appeared to be a commanding rebuke of Ahmadinejad, who has faced growing dissatisfaction in Iran about his steering of the economy.





Interesting, this is the same nuclear negotiator that Ahmanutjob was wanting to have arrested not all that long ago; the same who resigned from his position due to the lack of support and contrary purposes of the leaders in Iran. Things could get more interesting on that front, if our own "nutjob" does not stick his foot in it.

Interesting indeed. I wonder what influence the west had in his election. Behind the scenes voices of moderation. Jedd, comment?

Larijani is a big name in Iran and has many supporters... No surprise.

I think it's important to remember that he is just their second in command. Khamenei has been running things since 1981 and probably isn't going anywhere until he's dead.

A change of speakers might result in different rhetoric, but there's no reason to believe anything beyond the words and tone will change.

I thought Khamenei had no real love for Imadamnnutjob though either?

he does not have love for Ahmadenijad at all

he does not have love for Ahmadenijad at all


So that being said the new speaker of the house guy and the Ayatollah could push goofy boy out?

Ahmadenijad is out soon anyways, his term ends early next year. They will most likely not kick him out, as it would show instability in the Iranian government

Looking at who the real players appoint IS indicative of changes in their thinking, strategies, or opinions though. Perhaps the Ayatollah has decided playing bad cop has run its course and it's time to offer more thorough diplomacy. We shall see.

God I hope so, as appealing as the thought of Jedd rushing home to defend his homeland when we invade is... I'd rather not spend another year in some godforsaken desert trying not to get too much sand in my ass.

This is a good thing in my honest opinion. Quit talking about destroying Isael and the great Satan US and you'll see growing support from the west.

With a moderate in a more senior position in Iran, and the odds being Bush policies will not be holding sway much longer, it may just be possible to actually see diplomacy at work once again in American foreign policy.

...and Bush will get credit for it, just like Reagan gets credit for the fall of communism in Russia.

/duck

...and Bush will get credit for it, just like Reagan gets credit for the fall of communism in Russia.

/duck

Well, naturally!

You don't think we could go so far as to actually credit people living in those countries for enacting change, do you?