World Impulse: Iran's Political Sands Shift

There are elections due in the Islamic Republic of Iran. Important polls in the evolution of this significant player in Middle East and on the world political stage. Since the U.S. has changed course and elected president Barack Obama, the tone and rhetoric around the region has changed. Opportunity is in the air, and the players are busy jockeying to reposition themselves. Iran is no exception.

In Iran, hardline principalist president Ahmadinejad (pictured) is being challenged by a powerful candidate from the reformist movement. And it's not Khatami, who just withdrew to avoid splintering the block. Former Prime Minister Mir-Hossein Mousavi has overcome his reticence to run and now the reformists will rally around his candidacy. Read more here. And the Asia Times analysis here.

As a consequence of the upcoming elections, president Ahmadinejad is also speaking out. In a recent extensive interview with Germany's Der Spiegel (complete article) he noted:

I thought it striking that Obama attached such high value to the Iranian civilization, our history and culture. It is also positive that he stresses mutual respect and honest interactions with one another as the basis of cooperation. In one segment of his speech, he says that a nation's standing in the world does not depend solely on weapons and military strength, which is precisely what we told the previous American administration. George W. Bush's big mistake was that he wanted to solve all problems militarily. The days are gone when a country can issue orders to other peoples. Today, mankind needs culture, ideas and logic.

The question remains, is this a legitimate thaw in relations? An opening to re-define our policies, positions and to re-visit our assumptions about each other? Given that both Iran and the U.S. have a mutual problem in Afghanistan and a mutual interest in keeping the peace in Iraq, one would hope for the dawn of a new era of cooperation and mutual understanding. Doesn't mean we have to agree on everything. Just the basics to get us moving forward.