Iranian President crazy?

Currently embroiled in a dangerous situation with the world community over it's nuclear development program, Iran has strongly reinforced the arguments of critics who believe they pose a great threat. President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad recently said that Israel “should be wiped off the map.” Undaunted by the worldwide condemnation and the possibility of UN sanctions he recently joined demonstrators in chanting “Death to Israel... Death to America”

That irrationality not withstanding, Iran is beset by many strong political and social currents that violently oppose each other. The young are more likely to respond to the West, the old to religious leaders. More pragmatic political figures quietly work behind the scenes to repair damage from the President's statements. The alienation of citizens from the government is increasing.

“What Britain and other Western countries privately admit, however, is that sooner or later this opaque, bewildering nation will almost certainly have nuclear weapons. It is less likely to make reckless use of them than might be feared, but that is due more to its own internal checks and balances than any outside influence.”
posted on The Human Stain