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Richard Cochrane is trained in chemistry and metallurgy but is far more interested and practiced as a political and fund raising consultant, writer and amateur historian. He grew up in a Navy family and with his two younger brothers carried on its 500+ year tradition of naval service to Great Britain and the USA then enjoyed a career with one of the largest advertising and public relations agencies working with numerous Fortune 500 companies and many of America's premier educational institutions. He maintains friendships and acquaintanceships around the world. He lives in Santa Barbara, California.

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Much Hangs on Youth Vote As Four Fight For Iranian Presidency.

June 12th, 2009 • Richard Cochrane
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iranian-flag1As more than 46.2 million eligible Iranian voters choose their president in elections today - Friday. It appears that turnout is high and some say it will exceed 70%. If that’s the case it favors more moderate Mousavi over the bombastic incumbent Ahmadinejad.

Mousavi is popular among younger better educated voters (70% of Iran’s population is under age 35 and comprise a third of voters). There are other candidates on today’s ballot.

There was a brief hubbub when Iran internet service crashed yesterday because it is the source of much less filtered political information particularly among younger Iranians. Media is tightly controlled in Iran.

If no one gets 50% plus one vote the race will go to a run-off on June 19.  Much depends on how many votes are siphoned off by the two other candidates: conservative former Revolutionary Guard commander Mohsen Rezaei and moderate former parliament speaker Mahdi Karroubi. Results are expected Saturday.

This election is more about economics than ideology. The future is not bright for Iran’s youth, analysts note. Every year 1.2 million people graduate from the country’s universities. Out of those, only about a third are able to find jobs. The price of basic commodities has also spiked over the past year by more than 150 percent; unemployment stands at 20% and inflation tops 30%. Sagging crude oil prices and sanaction by the U. S. and Euro-allies have exacerbated Iran’s economic plight

Senior Israeli defense officials who closely watch Iran stress that the outcome is unlikely to have any impact on Teheran’s continued race toward a nuclear weapons and power.

Whether the winner is incumbent Ahmadinejad or his reformist challenger, the consensus in the Israeli defense establishment is that the centrifuges in the underground bunker at Iran’s Natanz facility will continue spinning and enriching uranium. Obama has remained mute.

In any case the president is subservient to the theocrats. It is the Mullahs who pull the levers of power in an Oz-like way.

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