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An interesting interactive available on WSJ shows 'balances of power' in Iran's Islamic theocracy. This screen shot doesn't do the interactive justice. I've captured the ultimate fountainhead of power in Iran, the Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the current so-called "Supreme Leader" (who succeeded Ayatollah (Imam) Ruhollah Khomeini, the originator of Iran's Islamic Revolution), from whom all real power flows.

Supposedly Ayatollah Khamenei's power is 'checked' by an "Assembly of Experts", a council comprised of 86 Clerics elected by the citizenry. But candidates to the "Assembly of Experts" must be vetted by the "Guardian Council". Half of the members of the "Guardian Council" are appointed directly by Ayatollah Khamenei, the other half appointed by the "Head of the Judiciary", who is also appointed by... Ayatollah Khamenei. Oh, the judiciary is based soley on Shi'a Islamic law; sharia law. There is no room for dissent to Shi'a Islamic law. Ayatollah Khamenei's power flows from Shi'a Islamic law. He is the ultimate theocrat (compare to, say, the Pope, who is a figurehead with no real power).

So, there's not much real power parceled out to anyone, unless that power is influenced by Ayatollah (Shi'a Islamic Law) Kahmenei.

This new, nascent Iranian revolution, if it occurs, would have to undo this Islamic form of government to be successful, really successful. We would have to see Ayatollah Kahmenei deposed, and Islamic Law diminished.

Oh. Remember this?

I am absolutely confident that we made the right decision. And not only that, I'm absolutely confident that the actions we took in Iraq are influencing reformers and freedom lovers in the greater Middle East. And I believe that you're going to see the rise of democracy in many countries in the broader Middle East, which will lay the foundation for peace.

Monday 4 July 2005
President George W. Bush