Ahmadinejad becoming weaker

[fastpat]

Which begs the question, will Bush II try to bolster Ahmadinejad with an attack, otherwise the little blowhard might just be kicked out by Iranian citizens, and replaced with a more thoughful person. the neocons would hate for that to happen, no chance for military glory and gore.

Iran's Discontent With Ahmadinejad Grows

By ALI AKBAR DAREINI, Associated Press Writer

Wednesday, January 17, 2007
(01-17) 11:43 PST TEHRAN, Iran (AP) --

Prices for vegetables have tripled in the past month, housing prices have doubled since last summer — and as costs have gone up, so has Iranians' discontent with hard-line President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and his focus on confrontation with the West.

Ahmadinejad was elected last year on a populist agenda promising to bring oil revenues to every family, eradicate poverty and tackle unemployment. Now he is facing increasingly fierce criticism for his failure to meet those promises.

He is being challenged not only by reformers but by the conservatives who paved the way for his stunning victory in 2005 presidential elections. Even conservatives say Ahmadinejad has concentrated too much on fiery, anti-U.S. speeches and not enough on the economy — and they have become more aggressive in calling him to account.

"The government has painted idealistic goals like tackling housing problems and unemployment ... but no solution has been offered," said Mohammad Khoshchehreh, a prominent conservative lawmaker, told The Associated Press.

Ahmadinejad's government "has been strong on populist slogans but weak on achievement," said Khoshchehreh, who campaigned for Ahmadinejad during the election.
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2007/01/17/international/i114353S68.DTL

[fastpat]

Originally posted by Jim Richards
weren't the recent local and national elections a blow to his political clout?

Big time. Unfortunately, Israel has no interest in a stabile Iran, too big to control at ten times (population) their size. If Iran develops along the India model, Israel will become a footnote in the mideast economically.

[holtjv]

I started reading about the iranian conservatives about 6 or so months ago--scant coverage in the press. It's surprising, really, and I don't really understand it--seems so counterintuitive given what we think we know about the culture.

This one will be very interesting to see how it plays out. The bush admin would be crucified were they to initiate attacks on iranian soil so I don't think that would happen unless W starts grasping at straws for legacy and then we're all effed.

J

[gaijindabe]

Originally posted by fastpat
Big time. Unfortunately, Israel has no interest in a stabile Iran, too big to control at ten times (population) their size. If Iran develops along the India model, Israel will become a footnote in the mideast economically.

India model? Maybe they can invite the British in for the next 400 years. Language, law, infrastructure, civil service. I guess all that was invented in 1947?

Israel has as much to worry from a stable Iran as Canadians have to worry about the USA (at ten times their size.) That is - not much.

[Nik17]

The name just makes you laugh...

[fastpat]

Originally posted by gaijindabe
India model? Maybe they can invite the British in for the next 400 years. Language, law, infrastructure, civil service. I guess all that was invented in 1947?

Israel has as much to worry from a stable Iran as Canadians have to worry about the USA (at ten times their size.) That is - not much.

Persians are at least as dynamic as Indians are, perhaps more so.

[gaijindabe]

We were always seen as natural allies (as much as we should have them..) as a counter balance to the Gulf and the Russians..

But things are kind of crazy over there. Population growth alone and providing some sort of standard of living for the next generation will take a massive growth of the economy...

They are dynamic - and I wish them well. All peoples should have peace and prosperity. But that has always been a tough thing to figure out. The oil money is just not enough.

[fastpat]

Originally posted by gaijindabe
We were always seen as natural allies (as much as we should have them..) as a counter balance to the Gulf and the Russians..

But things are kind of crazy over there. Population growth alone and providing some sort of standard of living for the next generation will take a massive growth of the economy...

They are dynamic - and I wish them well. All peoples should have peace and prosperity. But that has always been a tough thing to figure out. The oil money is just not enough.

It took India over 40 years to figure out how to proceed with their economy, and they're still working that out.

Iran would do well to study what they're doing, and adapt it to their country. That's the model I'm speaking of, British involvement gave them a common language they can use all across India, and little else. Iran has no need for that, they're at least 75% Farsi speakers I believe.

[gaijindabe]

India has 5000 years of history, caste, class, geography. Things move slowly... What they did get are connections to the Anglo world. And that has to be good for economy growth. They broke off from England in 1947 - when the socialist mindset was asendent. A bad time.

[fastpat]

Originally posted by gaijindabe
India has 5000 years of history, caste, class, geography. Things move slowly... What they did get are connections to the Anglo world. And that has to be good for economy growth. They broke off from England in 1947 - when the socialist mindset was asendent. A bad time.

In that sense, Persia has an advantage. They've been, mostly, conquerors, not conquered. So they have a sociological advantage from that aspect. True, Islam can have a negative upon their relationships, but the Indonesians have held that in check in their dealings with the west most of the time. If Tehran takes a lesson from Jakarta, they'll be miles ahead.

[dafischer]

I still say he looks like Yakov Smirnoff.

[fastpat]

Originally posted by dafischer
I still say he looks like Yakov Smirnoff.

The reality is that you look like that guy, isn't it?

[dafischer]

Sorta, but not quite, Pat.

[fastpat]

Originally posted by dafischer
Sorta, but not quite, Pat.

You look Persian to me. Let's see your passport.

in fact, your picture looks more "mideastern" than any Persian I've met. Most Persians look Italian if I had to assign an appearance, except they're almost always 6'+ tall.

[dafischer]

That's me, one of them German A-rabs.