Iran Rising

How Freedom's Foes Exploit Arab Unrest -John Bolton

Iran's power is dramatically enhanced by the consequences of the region's anti-regime demonstrations.

When strong Sunni Arab governments are replaced by newer, unsteady regimes, Iran sees weakness to exploit for its own strategic purposes. In Egypt, Mubarak's fall inevitably means more internal focus, and less energy opposing Iran's regional hegemonic efforts. Moreover, Mubarak's successor will likely be less sympathetic to the Camp David Accords.
(New York Post)
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Arab Unrest Propels Iran  -Michael Slackman

The popular revolts shaking the Arab world have begun to shift the balance of power in the region, bolstering Iran's position while weakening its rival, Saudi Arabia. The uprisings are driven by domestic concerns. But they have already shredded a regional paradigm in which Egypt, Jordan and Saudi Arabia, aligned with the West, supported engaging Israel and containing Israel's enemies, including Hamas and Hizbullah. Mubarak of Egypt has been forced to resign, King Abdullah of Jordan is struggling to control discontent in his kingdom and Saudi Arabia faces a rising challenge to its regional role.

"Iran is the big winner here," said a regional adviser to the U.S. government.
(New York Times)
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