The Economist outlines major problems facing Ahmadinejad in Iran. Economic sanctions seem to be having an effect. Several of Iran’s provinces have been without gas for heating. Inflation is rising fast and may in fact be above 20%. Opponents are getting more vocal as the parliamentary elections get closer.
Then there's France. Sarkozy recently inked a deal to establish a French military installation in the Emirates. An Egyptian blogger worries about growing Western influence in the Gulf. All this seems be to getting under Irarn's skin. Check out today's article in the Tehran Times: "Why does France need a military base in the Persian Gulf?" I previously blogged about evidence that Iran is being isolated from the international community.
