High Stakes in Internal Iranian Power Struggle
It appears that former Iranian president Aliakbar Heshem Rafsanjaniis angling to replace the head of a key organization within Iran , the Assembly of Experts. This organization actually has the power to essentially enthrone or dethrone the real power in Iran , the Supreme Leader, who is currently Ayatollah Khomeini’s successor Ali Khameini. Rafsanjani has always been known as shrewd and if successful, he will probably become the definitive kingmaker in Iranian politics and far surpass President Ahmadinejad, It appears that the old, Khomeinist guard of which Rafsanjani (who was Khomeini’s right hand man) is the uber representative is looking to reconsolidate power, shunting aside or marginalizing both reformists in the mold of former President Mohammed Khatami and the new rightists led by Ahmadinejad. This is where the real story of Iran ’s future will be told. Rafsanjani is likely as extreme in his personal views as Ahmadinejad, but he is much more savvy politically. In many ways he may be more dangerous since it will be much harder to caricaturize him, he simply won’t provide the easy ammunition of the more verbose President.
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