Tehran
Hard-liners and reformers joined this week to denounce President Bush’s criticism of the Iranian government. In a speech broadcast in Iran by Voice of America, Bush accused the reformist government of President Mohammad Khatami of continuing “uncompromising, destructive policies”—presumably a reference to funding terrorism and pursuing nuclear weapons research. Bush said the U.S. would side with the people of Iran, but not with the government. The statement marks a policy shift, The Washington Post reported, with the administration now hoping for a popular uprising that would topple both Khatami and the ruling clerics. An angry Khatami said Bush had no business meddling in Iran’s internal affairs. And supreme leader Ayatollah Khamenei, who wields most of the nation’s real power, praised Khatami for “slapping Bush in the mouth.”
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
-
TV to watch in March, including 'The Studio' and 'Paul American'the week recommends A true crime story adaptation, a reality show about the ultra-American Paul brothers and a new late night series from John Mulaney
-
Is America heading toward competitive authoritarianism?Today's Big Question Some experts argue that the country's current democratic system is fading
-
'Detention centers have, for decades, been an abuse of administrative power'Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
