Iran: Aims, ambition and policies

(Al Jazeera English | Inside Story | 30 August 2009) – Less than a month into his second term, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the Iranian president, is facing criticism about his cabinet nominees.  Iran’s parliament began a session to debate and vote on Ahmadinejad’s proposed new cabinet following his disputed re-election in June.  The outcome is widely seen as a test of the president’s hold on power after the election, which plunged Iran into its deepest internal crisis since the 1979 Islamic revolution.  Despite a parliament controlled by the conservatives, Iran’s MPs are likely to reject a significant number of his ministers, increasing the pressure on Ahmadinejad.  Some of his choices are expected to provoke stormy debate. Will Ahmadinejad have a successful second term and what challenges will he face? 

Inside Story presenter Sohail Rahman is joined by Ghanbar Naderi, an economic and political editor of The Iran Daily newspaper, Nazanin Ansari, a London-based diplomatic correspondent of Kayhan newspaper, and Pol O’ Geibheannaigh, a lecturer at the School of Oriental and African studies, and an analyst on Middle Eastern affairs.

This episode of Inside Story airs from Sunday, August 30, 2009 at 1730GMT and 2230GMT, with repeats on Monday at 0430GMT and 1030GMT. To watch live, click here.