The Neutering Of Ahmadinejad?

We can only hope that this comes to fruition:

While trying to project his image as a world leader offering an alternative to "American hegemony", President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad of the Islamic Republic of Iran may be heading for his first major political defeat at home. In fact, some analysts in Tehran expect his defeat to be so decisive as to puncture the super-inflated image created by his friends and foes, albeit for different reasons.

Ahmadinejad is not on the ballot himself, but is counting on favorable developments in two other elections to consolidate his hold on power.  He first wants to extend his influence over Iranian local government and then with the group of theologians who elect the "Supreme Guide."  This latter election seems to be the most significant within the scheme of Iranian politics, which allows for voting but is essentially a sham democracy designed to offer choices that won't lead to outcomes with much divergence from what the ruling class ultimately deems desirable:

The second election that Ahmadinejad had hoped to win but is now likely to lose is even more important. This is for the so-called Assembly of Experts, a body of 86 theologians who have the task of choosing and, when and if needed, dismissing the " Supreme Guide".

Initially, Ahmadinejad's ambition appeared to be directed at winning a majority of the assembly thus holding a Damocles sword above the head of the incumbent "Supreme Guide" Ali Khamenehi. Some had even suggested that an assembly controlled by the president's supporters would force Khamenehi to resign on health grounds, appointing Ayatollah Muhamad-Taqi Mesbah-Yazdi, Ahmadinejad's theological guru, as "Supreme Guide".

It appears that the Assembly of Experts is unwilling to permit someone just as fanatic as Ahmadinejad to become Supreme Guide. Ahmadinejad seems to know what his restrictions are, and would like to make an end-run around his masters to further his radical agenda.  According to the article, he may fail spectacularly in that endeavor.  The message sent would be "we put you in power and you should remember that."  While Ahmadinejad would remain as President after these two important elections, we may very well be seeing the Iranian concept of "checks and balances" in operation.  It will be interesting to see how such an outcome would effect events within the wider region.