The conservative think tank crowd loves to use the phrase "Mullahcracy" to describe Iran. This neologism conjures up a fantastic images of crazed mullahs with nuclear weapons eagerly plotting the destruction of the West (i.e. these guys). The reality is that behind the veils of nationalism, religion, and opposition to the Western influence, the defining characteristic of domestic politics in the Islamic Republic of Iran is good ol' fashion corruption.
Muhammad Sahimi, USC Professor and regular columnist at tehranbureau.com, recently wrote an excellent article on this issue (here).
Widespread corruptions in Iran's elite is a serious problem for US policy makers. It has tainted every promising reform movement and sullied some of Iran's most pragmatic politicians. This isn't to say that there aren't genuine reformers in Iran. There are, and their influence has been increasingly significant, but even these folks have to take money from corrupt sources.
Muhammad Sahimi, USC Professor and regular columnist at tehranbureau.com, recently wrote an excellent article on this issue (here).
Widespread corruptions in Iran's elite is a serious problem for US policy makers. It has tainted every promising reform movement and sullied some of Iran's most pragmatic politicians. This isn't to say that there aren't genuine reformers in Iran. There are, and their influence has been increasingly significant, but even these folks have to take money from corrupt sources.
