(Washington Times) Clifford D. May - Elections in February have apparently bolstered the position of President Hassan Rouhani. Though sophisticated and pragmatic, "Rouhani is not a moderate, he is a hardliner," says Wendy Sherman, former Undersecretary of State who served as President Obama's lead negotiator on the Iran nuclear agreement. Within Iran's ruling elite, there are serious differences over how to achieve the goals of the Islamic Revolution. But on the goals themselves there is consensus. All envision Iran becoming the Middle East's new master. All want to see the "arrogant" U.S. humbled. All agree with Ayatollah Khomeni who said in December 1979: "In the revolution that was achieved in Iran, people were screaming that they wanted Islam; these people did not rise up so their country could have democracy." It is the task of Iran's theocrats to make sure they never do. To believe otherwise is wishful thinking, a poor substitute for analysis. The writer is president of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies.
2016-03-10 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive