by Walter Onubogu

Created on: May 07, 2008

The Islamic Republic of Iran is on the road of becoming a major regional player in the region, let there be no doubt about that. I think it is very apparent since the day that President Amadinejad and his hardline Conservatives were elected to office (more or less if you discount the fact that Reformist candidates were barred altogether), that Iran has adopted a more bellicose posture in the region.

Let me make it clear though. This approach is one that is pursued by the incumbent administration in Tehran, it is not shared by the people of Iran nor by the Reformist opposition, who prefer dialog and diplomacy with Iran's neighbors. So yes it is very true that Amadinejad, (who has a background of a hard line Revolutionary Guard) has made it a habit to not only to equate the development of Iran's nuclear program with national self determination, but also to overtly or covertly support resistance movements and rebels in some countries of the region.

I think no can argue that, Hizbollah (the Lebanese based Shiite led movement by Sheik Nasrallah) or the Shiite rebels in Iraq are strong enough to stand their ground and launch attacks on their own either against Israel or US occupation forces in Iraq, if not for the substantial financial logistical diplomatic and moral support they receive directly from Tehran. The regime in Tehran is as hypocritical as the one currently occupying the White House, since both are religiously inclined and obsessed with using lies and propaganda for manipulating public opinion and domestic consumption. On the one hand Amadinejad claims to want nothing but peace and security in the region , while on the other and in reality they cannot refrain from interfering in the affairs of Lebanon or Iraq. This is something they always accuse America of doing, which yes America does, but they do exactly the same thing hoping it will pay of political dividends.

Looking back I do not consider the 34 day war between Israel and Hizbollah as an incident that really benefited Iran, even though Hizbollah's reputation and standing among Lebanese and Iranian Shiites soared thereafter ( bear in mind Hizbollah which US has identified as a terrorist organization is seen by devout Iranian and Lebanese Shiites as a liberation movement that also provides extensive social and welfare services to Lebanese citizens). The ayatollahs in Tehran may have had reason to celebrate Hizbollah's successful defiance against Israel ( Iran's arch foe) , but overall it is clear that

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