Ahmadinejad's Swan Song: 'Wherever I Am, Politics Will Follow Me'

Al-Monitor's Barbara Slavin has these questions for the Iranian president, whose term ends next year: Were Iranians better off now than when he took office? And what had he learned in his nearly eight years as president, what were his achievements and what would he do differently?
New York police officers look at a man dressed as Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad during a protest against Ahmadinejad outside the Warwick Hotel in New York September 25, 2012. Ahmadinejad is staying at the hotel during his visit to New York for the United Nations General Assembly. REUTERS/Andrew Kelly (UNITED STATES - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST)
New York policemen look at a man dressed as Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad during a protest against Ahmadinejad outside the Warwick Hotel in New York Sept. 25, 2012. Ahmadinejad is staying at the hotel during his visit to New York for the UN General Assembly. - REUTERS/Andrew Kelly
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Barbara Slavin
@BarbaraSlavin1

Introspection has never been Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s strong suit.

In New York for what is likely his final appearance before the UN General Assembly as Iran’s president, Ahmadinejad has shown characteristic obliviousness to the impact of his words and an iron constitution in facing down journalists, think tankers, peace activists and myriad others invited to hear his musings.

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