Why the West needs Ahmadinejad

**Dahir** · 12-04-2006

Why the West needs Ahmadinejad
By Rageh Omaar in Tehran

A year is a long time in Iranian politics.

Twelve months ago, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the Iranian president, was branded a hardliner by Washington - a religious zealot, and a direct threat to Israel.

Now he is seen as essential to helping George Bush and Tony Blair out of the policy disaster in Iraq.

What is it about him and his government that the American president and British prime minister got so wrong?

Austere Leader

Ahmedinejad lectured at a prestigious university in Tehran, teaching civil engineering.

He is still technically a member of the faculty. His office remains untouched, should he wish to return.

You would know that it was Dr Ahmadinejad's office only by its austerity and religious symbols.

Students and colleagues, even those who do not agree with his politics, say they respect him.

Ahmadinejad represents a crucial break in Iranian politics – he is the first post-revolutionary who is not a cleric, he fought in the Iran-Iraq war, and crucially he is seen as not being corrupt.

If the West has underestimated his government's influence in Iraq and the region, they have also exaggerated his vulnerability here in Iran.

So it is hardly surprising that most ordinary Iranians are not hugely interested in Tony Blair's comments on Iraq, especially as he has said Iran would have to give up its nuclear enrichment programme before any talks – something every Iranian leader has said will not happen.

People here feel that when it comes to Iraq and even Lebanon and Afghanistan, Britain and the US need them, not the other way round.

What they want to know is what benefits does Iran get for such assistance?

Source

**Keltoi** · 12-05-2006

Considers what you mean by "need". The U.S. and the U.K. would like very much for Iran to stop sponsoring attacks on Sunnis and funneling IED devices and other weapons into Iraq. At this point it is widely accepted that Iran is causing alot of trouble in Iraq. So in that sense, I suppose you could say the U.S. and U.K. "need" Iran to stop sponsoring violence.

**Pk_#2** · 12-05-2006

Originally Posted by Keltoi

Considers what you mean by "need". The U.S. and the U.K. would like very much for Iran to stop sponsoring attacks on Sunnis and funneling IED devices and other weapons into Iraq. At this point it is widely accepted that Iran is causing alot of trouble in Iraq. So in that sense, I suppose you could say the U.S. and U.K. "need" Iran to stop sponsoring violence.

Hmm..

jazakhala bro, AsalamuAlaykum!

**wilberhum** · 12-05-2006

West needs Ahmadinejad to stop sponsoring terrorism.

**Dahir** · 12-05-2006

I guess everyone's right on this one.

Iran is a Central focus on Mid East politics and to exclude it is like keeping Michael Jordan out of a Final's game.

Iran can put an end to the 'terrorism' it 'sponsers' and it can also end the many feuds with Israel, it can bridge economic ties between the West and the Middle East, it can do SOOOO much and its a shame that the US has such a strict 'us-or-the-highway' mentality towards it...