By Masih Alinejad

During the Iranian Islamic Revolution, the fair distribution of wealth was the most eminent slogan that created hope in the hearts of many Iranians. Those who prior to the Revolution felt the division of poverty – and not the distribution of capital – in their lives, somehow not only managed to survive the hard times of the war era through the Islamic Republic’s economic policies, but also looked toward a brighter future. That hope faded slowly, however, leaving Iran behind other countries in the region and the world.

By Geneive Abdo
Iran Analyst, The Century Foundation

President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is fighting for his political life as never before. In early April, conservative heavyweights said they would decide among themselves who would compete against him for the presidency. He is at war with Iran’s parliamentary speaker Ali Larijani, a fellow conservative, pitting the executive office against the parliament – a rare occurrence in Iranian politics. And, the country’s chief economists are blaming Ahmadinejad for record high inflation and unemployment.

Sudanese living in the resource-rich border region between the north and south of the country have bleak views of their current situation and the future, according to focus group research released this month by NDI. Focus group participants from the state of Southern Kordofan consider their security and development situation to be deteriorating. Still reeling from an upsurge of violence last May, residents of Abyei are pessimistic about the possibility of sustained peace. Participants from Blue Nile state feel more hopeful about their prospects.

The Iran Election Bulletin is a biweekly publication covering domestic political and election issues in Iran in the lead-up to the June 12, 2009 presidential elections.