Wash Times:

Suzanne Maloney, an Iran specialist at the Brookings Institution's Saban Center, said the political chaos in Iran will make it far more difficult for the United States to engage with the country -- at least in the short term.

Who ultimately emerges as president does matter, she added, noting
that Iran was less repressive internally and less belligerent abroad
when Mr. Khatami was president from 1997 to 2005.

Since Mr. Ahmadinejad was elected in 2005 with the apparent blessing
of Ayatollah Khamenei, "we've seen creeping authoritarianism from the
military and demagogic populism from Ahmadinejad," she said.

The presidency "matters for the mind-set and opportunities of the
Iranian people," she said.

Even if Mr. Ahmadinejad prevails, Ms. Maloney and other specialists
said, Iran has been irrevocably changed by the unprecedentedly open
debate that preceded the election, the more than 80 percent voter
turnout and the massive demonstrations that have followed.

"These are historic events unfolding," she said. "We are very possibly
at the brink of dramatic change in Iran. For the first time in 30
years, a very energized public is willing to risk its lives on the
streets."

Posted by Laura at June 16, 2009 01:35 AM