Bigwigs in the Iranian government are moving about. As we learn here, Ahmadinejad is in Zimbabwe, with Mugabe. Talk about a love match. And, as we learn here, the Iranian foreign minister, Mottaki, is set to visit Austria this weekend. He will meet with his counterpart. Austria, at the moment, sits on the Security Council. Mottaki is an old “friend” of mine from Davos; he is a chilling piece of work. I know a little something about Austrian officialdom too. I don’t say that the rendez-vous in Vienna will be as lovey-dovey as the rendez-vous in Harare. But I’m afraid the atmosphere won’t exactly be adversarial either. You know?
I also think that the Iranian government has been walking with the swagger of a nuclear power, and regional hegemon, for quite some time now. Couple of weeks ago, Ahmadinejad said something that received some attention: “Mr. Obama, you are a newcomer. Wait until your sweat dries and get some experience.” But he said something else that should have received more attention. Still talking to Obama, he said, “[American officials] bigger than you, more bullying than you, couldn’t do a damn thing, let alone you.”
That’s sort of hard to refute — isn’t it? — no matter the source.