Does Obama Secretly Want Ahmadinejad to Beat Mousavi?

By U.S. News Staff

June 16, 2009 RSS Feed Print

The outcome of last week's presidential election in Iran is still unclear, with both the current Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and his reformist rival Mir Hossein Mousavi claiming victory. Commenting on the story, blogger Daniel Drezner suggests that an Ahmadinejad victory would actually help the United States. What if Ahmadinejad stays in power? Drezner asks. "What does this mean for U.S. foreign policy towards Iran? Here's a dirty little secret—this might actually be the best possible outcome for the Obama administration." Is he right? Does Ahmadinejad make it easier for Obama to take a tough stance against Iran ? How would the U.S. handle Iran's nuclear program if Mousavi won? Post your thoughts.

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Tags:
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad,
Mir-Hossein Mousavi,
Barack Obama,
elections

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Real change in Iran will come from within. As the young people of Iran struggle against entrenched powers, we are seeing what can happen without American bombs and soldiers. These modern-day Persians will emerge eventually to regain their rightful place in the history of mankind. We need to stay out of the fray while making it clear that we support the revolutionaries in their dreams and aspirations. A friendly Iran in that troubled part of the world will make an enormous difference in the Middle East foreign policies of all nations. I applaud these brave young women and men.

Galen Clark of SD 1:29PM June 16, 2009

Drezner's post doesn't actually try to read Obama's mind. It points out, among other things, that if the regime holds onto power by fraudulent means, it will suffer a huge loss of credibility in the global community. This, Drezner notes, is far from the worst possible outcome for the U.S.

Obama personally -- given his "no drama" style -- would likely prefer a more rational Iranian leadership with whom to open a dialog. So far he seems to be taking a wise course by voicing cautious support for the opposition but emphasizing that Iranians hold their future in their own hands. He's right: this isn't about us.

kaspian of ME 10:51AM June 16, 2009

Ahmadinejad's victory is a fraudulent one. His supposed victory over Mousavi, an azeri Iranian, has been predicted in the Ancient text of the Balenyata. The Iranian establishment is invested in an Ahmadinejad victory because their survival is based on it. The prediction of their downfall is fortold in the Balenyata, an ancient holy text according to Therese G. a Iranian studies professor.

Therese G. of NJ 10:50AM June 16, 2009

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