“Ayatollah Khamenei actually is not the most powerful person in Iran. He does not make nuclear policy. He does not make security policy. He is one voice among many and not even the most important voice by any means.When nuclear strategy is being discussed in Iran, he is not the dominant figure to make things happen. So I think this sense which he has created to a considerable degree by his own self-promotion has made him the center of attention when, in fact, the real center of activity is some place else.” ThinkingMeanImportantRealPowerfulAttentionSecurityPolicyStrategyThings HappenMost Powerful Author:Gary Sick
“Politics in Iran is not played like American football. It's played like chess. There are multiple moves. You're jumping ahead. And a lot of it is very subtle, and it catches you by surprise later on. So I don't want to go overboard on this.” MovingFootballSurpriseChessMultipleOverboard Author:Gary Sick
“It's very difficult to make predictions about the Iranian politics, but given the fact that Ahmadinejad was elected with a very clear purpose - to improve the economy - and he's failed.” PurposeDifficultEconomyIranian Author:Gary Sick