Does anyone believe that Ahmadinejad is a phony political persona?

Question

I have been following Iranian politics and I think that Ahmaninejad is a political persona created to scare the west to the bargaining table.

Look at Zhirinovsky during the Yeltsin era. He made a lot of wild statements like Russia should retake Alaska and that Russia should reform the Soviet Union. This cause western leaders to rush to support Yeltsin to help strengthen his positions. If you look at Zhirinovsky's voting record in the Duma you will see that on every close vote he sided with Yeltsin and only voted against him when the outcome was certain.

I think that Ahmadinejad is doing the same for Ali Khamenei. Ahmadinejad makes statements calling for the destruction of Israel, he makes anti-west statements all the time. His actions are outrageous but look at the results. We have had diplomatic talks for the first time since 1979. Khamenei is now legitimized at home (during troubled times) and is the first to talk to the west in almost 30 years.

I think that ahmadinejad is there to make the rest of the government look moderate and inviting to the west.

Yes Mike W, the president does not have a lot of personaly power.

The president is under the Supreme Leader of Iran, Ali Khamenei.

Scenic Point- I don't think the populace listens to him. A few months ago there was a big ceremony in Teheran for the opening of a museum dedicated to denying the holocaust. Total attendence was a reporter from The Economist and one from Reuters. Not one Iranian attended

Answer 1

Well, yes, but there's more to it than that. He's not JUST a persona, although that's a neat trick. You're right that it makes Khamenei look moderate.

But you also need to realize that there are other things going on internally. The economy in Iran is on the verge of meltdown. That's going to pull down Ahmadinejad and possibly the whole system.

Answer 2

Why don't we focus on the lovely Iranian people, most of whom are under 25. Let us not go to war against children.

We already overthrew their govt in 1953 and installed the murderous, torturing shah (sound familiar?) Let's leave them alone and see how that works out, eh?

Answer 3

It's entirely possible. From what I understand, the President of Iran is not the highest position in the Iranian government.

Answer 4

he's a failure in his country. People there are extremely poor, he has not given anyone a share of oil profits as he promised, average income is $2500 and gas is 33 cents and will soon go up 25%. the only way he keeps support is by making these awful statements about Americans and calling for the destruction of Israel!

Answer 5

Like most politicians, the answer is yes. I have it from reliable sources that President Ahmadinejad and the Ayatollah have sleep overs.

Answer 6

Ahmadinejad, represents what the west hates the most, intelligence, and open defiance to America's Imperialistic ambitions in the Mideast.

Answer 7

He is a puppet for the Ayatollahs that are the real power in Iran. He serves at their pleasure.

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Answer 8

I have always seen him as a figurehead and little more so, you may be on to something.

However, either way, we cannot afford to NOT take the man seriously. He speaks to his populace and they listen.

Answer 9

YES, This is a very correct statement!!

Answer 10

they most certainly play political games.

I wonder if osama ever existed or if he was just some picture they took off myspace and created a fictional character to blame things on.