Ahmadinejad versus the Technocrats
Source: Middle Eastern Outlook (American Enterprise Institute)

Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad won the presidency in 2005 by promising to “bring the oil money to the tables of the people.” Despite record oil revenue, his promises remain unfulfilled. As inflation soars and quality of life deteriorates–especially among the downtrodden (mostaz’af) whose interests Ahmadinejad claims to represent–Iranian politicians argue over responsibility. Ahmadinejad blames “foreign hands,” “internal enemies,” and even his own cabinet ministers. His political competitors and even some clerical supporters, however, attack the president’s policies. As the blame game escalates and Ahmadinejad shuffles his cabinet and consolidates his supporters, he may believe himself in a better position to enact his agenda. The immediate winners may be the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC), but the disputes may also signal the beginning of the end for the controversial president.

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