To the Point

Who Speaks for Iran?

In the aftermath of September 11, Iran was surprisingly sympathetic to the United States, but when President Bush included Iran in his "axis of evil," chants of "death to America" returned to the streets. Although Afghanistan's interim leader Hamid Karzai has called the two countries to resolve their differences, Iran is divided. Hard-line clerics see America as the enemy of the Islamic revolution. Reformers want more democracy, social freedom and some kind of rapprochement with the US. Despite all the rhetoric, is there still a chance for improved relations with the US and Israel, and for peace and stability in the Middle East? We consider who speaks for Iran, with an Iranian reformer and hard-liner, and international observers. Newsmaker: Greenspan Addresses Congress on the Economy Today, as required by law, Alan Greenspan delivered his biannual address to the House Committee on Financial Services. Michael Mandel, chief economist for Business Week, says that while the Federal Reserve chairman voiced cautious optimism about economic recovery, it's what he didn't say that may matter most. Reporter's Notebook: Allegations of North American Bias at Salt Lake Olympic Games Although the Salt Lake City Winter Olympic Games have been declared a rousing success in the US, South Korea and Russia are still seeing red. Both feel robbed over medals awarded to Americans that they feel their athletes deserved. Jonathon Hilts-Park, of Korea's Educational Broadcasting System, and Konstantin Eggert, of the BBC Russian Service, say the responses recall Cold War posturing.