ARTICLE: Iran's Supreme Leader Rebuffs Obama,
By Thomas Erdbrink, Washington Post, March 22, 2009; Page A15

The truth is, the Grand Ayatollah is basically correct: we are not going to give him what he wants in either Iraq or Afghanistan (complete withdrawal) and Obama is playing the same exact--and weak--line as Bush on the nuke question.

We may get some movement by ratcheting down on the nuke issue, offering economic ties and normalized relations, and starting a careful dialogue on cooperation in both interventions, because that package would enhance regime legitimacy in Iran.

And that's all the Ayatollah cares about: keeping his regime.