OPINION: "As the U.S. Retreats, Iran Fills the Void," by Amir Taheri, Wall Street Journal, 4 May 2009.

Iran, Taheri argues, has targeted Egypt, Lebanon, Bahrain, Morocco, Kuwait and Jordan--all states in crisis.

Key line:

Khomeinist propaganda is trying to portray Iran as a rising "superpower" in the making while the United States is presented as the "sunset" power. The message is simple: The Americans are going away, and we are coming.

Reminds me of Soviet bluster as the rot was setting in back home.

I like our odds in this race against time.

Good descriptions throughout the piece of Iranian activities in the region.