[Guardian-UK ] Jonathan Spyer - Within the Iranian clerical-led elite has arisen an ultra-radical faction, centered on the Revolutionary Guards and represented at the highest level by President Mahmoud Ahmedinejad. The desire of this faction is to revive what it sees as the authentic spirit of the revolutionary period, in the face of the waste, decay and corruption that is the reality of contemporary Iran. The drive to project Iranian power across the region is a vital aspect of this ambition. A nuclear capability would make this possible. Hatred of Israel is a genuinely felt sentiment in such circles. It is also a useful tool for building regional influence. Israel sees the Iranian nuclear program within this framework. The hesitant diplomacy of the international community appears a poor tool for deterring the Tehran radicals.
2008-07-14 01:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive