THE GLOBAL ELITE

11: Ayatollah Ali Khamenei

Supreme Leader, Iran

PHOTOS

The Power of Tyranny

Some leaders, like Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe, lack global influence, but hold the power of life and death over their citizens.

NEWSWEEK

Published Dec 20, 2008

From the magazine issue dated Jan 5, 2009

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Western policymakers would do well to remember Khamenei's title: Supreme Leader. In the Islamic Republic of Iran, presidents come and go. The intemperate, Israel-baiting Mahmoud Ahmadinejad will be lucky if he manages to win a second term in 2009. It is Khamenei, as the authoritative communicator of God's will, who will decide how Iran chooses to exercise its newfound clout in the region. Will he push ahead with Tehran's nuclear program and move from bleeding the United States in Iraq to pricking it in Afghanistan? Perhaps. But it's also true that he's the only Iranian figure with the authority to forge a new relationship with America. No one is more key to Mideast stability.

No. 10: Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud

COVER STORY: THE GLOBAL ELITE

The Story of Power

Jon Meacham

The study of power is not only diverting (which Homer and Shakespeare knew), but illuminating. A biography of an ancient human impulse.

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Posted By: cvienne @ 12/30/2008 4:39:12 PM

Classic error by Newsweek journalists (incorrect photo).

I'll bet most of you have your heads so far up Obama's derriere that you were blind to see such things.

Lost in this is your notion that Obama (or his staff) will create anything important (except more hardship) on Americans.

I can't believe you people get PAID for this...
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Posted By: cvienne @ 12/30/2008 4:36:32 PM

A classic error by Newsweek (wrong photo).

In the future, you'll also come to regret publishing that Obama, or his advisors will end up producing anything significant (except more hardship - bourne from unfulfilled promises - to the American people).

I can't believe people like your staff actually get PAID for such things.
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Posted By: faulad @ 12/30/2008 3:01:30 PM

The picture of Mugabe with the Ayatollah undermines the position of Newsweek as a credible media. Of course, whatever is written about Ayatollah Khamenei is absolutely subjective and so untrue about Iran's role with its neighbors. Iran does not want destabilized Iraq or Afghanistan. So GET YOUR JOURNALISM STRAIGHT, NEWSWEEK. Good I don't subscribe to Newsweek!!!!!!!!