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A Puppeteer's Tribute to Iranian Democracy
[Boston Globe] Editorial - The parliamentary elections in Iran this month resemble the work of a clumsy illusionist. A Guardian Council of clerics and jurists disqualified about 90% of the reformists who wanted to run. The campaign was confined to a week, and public rallies were banned. Iranian politicians compete for power in a unique system: democratic institutions draped over a rigid autocracy. Thanks to that system, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei rules Iran as a grand puppet master and all the strings dangle from his hands. The chiefs of the armed forces and the Revolutionary Guards report to him. He has representatives in each of the ministries. All important decisions on foreign and security policy and on Iran's nuclear program are his. And he has ultimate control over the intelligence and security services.