Following the May 19th presidential “election” in Iran and the incumbent Hassan Rouhani reaching a second term, there was an outpouring of Western mainstream media describing him as a moderate again. As described by the National Review, Iran’s sham election was nothing but “a ridiculous farce. In … [Read more...] about How Is Iran’s Hassan Rouhani A Moderate?
Guardian Council
What Does the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Want Out of Iran’s Upcoming Elections?
Can the faction known as the “principalists” in Iran, loyal to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, engineer the upcoming presidential elections‘ outcome in a manner similar to 2005 and 2009? Back then, this group resorted to fraud and vote-rigging to have their desired candidate selected. Is the … [Read more...] about What Does the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Want Out of Iran’s Upcoming Elections?
Iran’s presidential election: Nothing new after 38 years
We were recently witness to the first debate of Iran's 2017 presidential election, which can be evaluated from a variety of perspectives. One simple conclusion is that all candidates failed to provide any hope for a better future. Remembering how the 2009 debates paved the way for nationwide … [Read more...] about Iran’s presidential election: Nothing new after 38 years
Iran’s Presidential Election And The Raisi Twist
Various media outlets and Iran regime elements have commented recently over the candidacy of Ebrahim Raisi, an influential cleric described as the protégé of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, pumping new life into Iran’s so-called presidential election (read selection). Of course, this perspective in … [Read more...] about Iran’s Presidential Election And The Raisi Twist
Understanding Iran’s presidential elections crisis
It appears Iran’s presidential elections, scheduled for May 19th, are becoming ever more complicated. The question of who might face the incumbent President Hassan Rouhani was a trending topic recently, including the significant news of Ebrahim Raisi‘s entry into the race (Raisi is a mullah very … [Read more...] about Understanding Iran’s presidential elections crisis
Iran’s Elections: A Breaking Crisis?
The 12th presidential election in Iran will be held on May 19th. These polls are taking place at a time when the regime in Tehran, and especially Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, are facing three distinct crises. a) Khamenei, suffering from prostate cancer, sees his days as numbered and must designate … [Read more...] about Iran’s Elections: A Breaking Crisis?
Iranian Regime’s Concerns Persist Ahead of May Elections
Ali Khamenei and Iran’s hardliners may want to sideline Hassan Rouhani, but getting there is risky. Following remarks made by Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei on March 21, marking Nowruz, the first day of the Persian calendar year, members of his faction used their weekly Friday prayer … [Read more...] about Iranian Regime’s Concerns Persist Ahead of May Elections
What Is Iran’s Policy-Making Mechanism?
By Heshmat Alavi As we close in to the Iran presidential election -- read "selection" -- a more precise look at the policymaking mechanisms at work in this very peculiar theocratic system is necessary. The regime in Iran, with Hassan Rouhani as its president, has been eager to portray an image of … [Read more...] about What Is Iran’s Policy-Making Mechanism?
What is behind Iran’s escalating domestic feuds?
By Heshmat Alavi With only four months to Iran’s next presidential “elections,” the political stage inside the country has been the scene of new and intense disputes, with both so-called “moderates” and “hardliners” pointing fingers. “Can a single individual steal $3 billion all by himself?” asked … [Read more...] about What is behind Iran’s escalating domestic feuds?
The Future Of Iran Following Rafsanjani’s Death
Originally published in Forbes By Heshmat Alavi The regime in Iran suffered a major setback after former president and figurehead Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani died of a heart attack on Sunday. He was 82. Following the 1979 revolution, Rafsanjani played an influential role in structuring the … [Read more...] about The Future Of Iran Following Rafsanjani’s Death