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    Back to To the Point

    To the Point

    Change in Iran: Is it Real or Wishful Thinking?

    Hassan Rouhani will succeed Mahmoud Ahmadinejad as President of Iran -- an election outcome considered a slap in the face of the Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who handpicked several candidates for the race to succeed the abrasive Ahmadinejad.

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    By Warren Olney • May 12, 2014 • 1 min read

    Hassan Rouhani will succeed Mahmoud Ahmadinejad as President of Iran -- an election outcome considered a slap in the face of the Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who handpicked several candidates for the race to succeed the abrasive Ahmadinejad. But Khamenei is still the Supreme Leader, and he could prevent Rouhani from keeping the promises that led to his surprising victory. Will Iranians see an improved economy? Will the US and Israel see proof that Iran's nuclear program is designed for energy rather than weapons? We hear from optimists and skeptics about whether the power brokers will accept political change.

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      Warren Olney

      former KCRW broadcaster

    • KCRW placeholder

      Andrea Brody

      Senior Producer, KCRW's Life Examined and To the Point podcast

    • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

      Evan George

      Director of Content, News

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      Anna Scott

      Former KCRW Housing and Homelessness Reporter

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      Borzou Daragahi

      BuzzFeed News

    • KCRW placeholder

      Juan Cole

      University of Michigan

    • KCRW placeholder

      Michael Rubin

      American Enterprise Institute

      NewsNationalPolitics
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