Iran goes to the polls

Presidential elections in Iran beckon this Friday. A few discussions abound. Foreign Policy (Jun 10, 2009) looks at the American reaction (or non-reaction):

A Mousavi win would not mean smooth sailing for Washington's efforts to engage Iran, analysts caution. It could deepen fissures in the Iranian leadership or even prompt a hard-line backlash or crackdown that could further paralyze U.S. efforts to engage Iran, they say. But the voting out of incumbent President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad would undoubtedly be seen in Washington and the West as a welcome sign that the Iranian public supports greater liberalization and a less hostile attitude toward the West.

Radio Free Europe (Jun 11, 2009) is adamant that the vote will be far from free or fair, noting the exclusion of up to 475 potential candidates:

Their choice is limited to present or former members of the Iranian establishment. Women are excluded, as are secular candidates and those considered unfaithful to Islamic and revolutionary values.