(Dayan Center - Tel Aviv University) David Menashri - The forceful American stance has come as an unpleasant surprise to Iran's rulers, because it touches some very sensitive nerves. After five years in office, Khatami has overseen some significant changes. The reform movement's achievements include a penetrating public debate even on such delicate issues as religion and state, Islam and democracy, and attitudes toward the U.S. and even Israel. Nevertheless, there has been no real shift in the domestic balance of forces or in policy on issues of greatest concern to the U.S. The conservatives have so far retained effective control. Since Bush’s July declaration, the domestic debate in Iran has taken on a new intensity. But as the internal struggle reaches new heights, it is important to view the changes in Iran in a longer-term historical perspective. In that perspective, the conservatives are swimming against the current of change.
2002-08-26 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive