[New York Times] Neil MacFarquhar - Few suggest yet that supreme leader Ayatollah Khamenei's hold on power is at risk. But, analysts say, he has opened a serious fissure that may prove impossible to patch over, particularly given the fierce dispute over the election that has erupted amid the elite veterans of the 1979 revolution. "The myth that there is a leader up there whose power is unquestionable is broken," said author Azar Nafisi. Those sensing that important change may be afoot are quick to caution that Khamenei could still resort to overwhelming force to crush the demonstrations. But many analysts say the differences between factions have never been quite so pronounced nor public as in the past few days. If Khamenei lets the demonstrations swell, it could well change the system of clerical rule. But if he uses violence to stamp them out, the myth of a popular mandate for the Islamic revolution will die.
2009-06-16 06:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive