Understanding Iran's Power Struggle Mohsen Sazegara  Middle East Analyst Thursday, November 19  Westin Oaks Hotel Consort Ballroom 5011 Westheimer Registration: 11:30 a.m. Program: 12:00 - 1:30 p.m. Members: $35 Non-members: $40 Email: rsvp@wachouston.org Phone: (713) 522-7811

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In the aftermath of the turbulent elections, the political and power structure of Iran remain uncertain. Competing security services, the Revolutionary Guard, the clerics, and of course, Ayatollah Khamenei all represent power centers. Ahmadinejad is trying to consolidate his base but is facing growing opposition from within the ruling elite. Who holds power in Iran today? Is the reformist movement likely to re-emerge? How can progress be made in nuclear issues? Mohsen Sazegara is an Iranian journalist and pro-democracy political activist. He had been an early supporter of Iran’s Islamic revolution, a close aide to Ayatollah Khameni, and was responsible for setting up the Revolutionary Guard. After holding several high ranking positions in government, he became disillusioned with the revolution and began pushing for reforms. Arrested in 2003, he was released months later and fled to the United States. He remains one of the highestranking Islamic officials ever to have left the country. Now a prominent Middle East analyst in Washington, Sazegara stresses the need for nonviolent resistance to the current Iranian government.