Does Iran's Ahmadinejad Suffer from A Napoleon Complex?

Brian Williams' recent interview with Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was broadcast on national TV. Tieless, but wearing his signature sport jacket and perpetual grimace, Ahmadinejad pre-empted his interviewer by calling for the return of the twelfth Imam to cure all the ills of the world including "poverty," "injustice," "egotism," "greed" and "famine," thereby implicitly signaling the viewers that they are at the presence of a global leader, one whose concerns are not only for his own nation, but for the entire "human societies."

When Mr. Williams later asked Ahmadinejad whether he feels responsible for a sagging economy and an "isolated" stance in the world, the Iranian leader countered that the "great nation" of Iran was "fine" and "happy" and infused his comeback with a quick history lesson: that Iranians have a rich culture and heritage, that their history is thousands of years old and that they are "a proud nation" who will not bow to threats or pressures.

Being an Iranian myself and having a vivid memory of the country I left behind 30 years ago, I was both bemused and beleaguered by this response.

Yes, Iranians are a proud nation. Yes they do have a rich heritage and a glorious past. But it is in the past, a very distant one too. Thousands of years have gone by since the time of the mighty Persian Empire, and the world hasn't stood still. Iran's claim to its greatness is the equivalent of an aging debutante, who having dressed beautifully once in a ball, expects to be included in this year's best-dressed list. The world order has changed from empires to sovereign states. Powerful nations have emerged and for now, Iran is not one of them. So why such hubris? Rather, why such an insecurity?

Does Iran suffer from the Napoleon complex or is it only President Ahmadinejad?

To be fair, the behavior of many politicians (of all statures) can often send one scrambling through psychology books. But the odd parallels between the Iranian president and the French emperor beg a second reading of the aptly named chapter.

The Napoleon Complex is a colloquial term used to describe people who overcompensate for their short height by seeking power, war and conquest. To illustrate the reason for this comparison, consider the following: both men were short in stature (even though both were almost average compared to their countrymen), came from humble backgrounds, fought in wars, rose to leadership amidst turbulent times, ruled over 70 million people, dreamed big, talked bigger and thumbed their nose at the rest of the world -- all the while scheming to reshape it by the help of the twelfth Imam or the Napoleonic Code.

As for Iran itself, its fault may be that it is a complex nation without having a complex. Westerners are often left scratching their heads trying to decipher and analyze the Iranians. Who are they and what do they want? Are they for democracy or theocracy? Do they love us or hate us? Why did the Iranians pour in to the streets and held a candlelight vigil for the victims of 9/11? Why chant "Down with USA" when they don't really mean it? Are they truly as normal as Mr. Ahmadinejad stated? If not, who are we to believe?

For starters let's not believe Mr. Ahmadinejad. Iranians are neither "fine" nor "happy". While the French are still puzzled by the legacy Napoleon has left behind both for promoting and hijacking the French revolution‹ the average Iranian quietly denounces Mr. Ahmadinejad's fiery rhetoric and confrontational attitude. However, the Iranian leader was right to claim that Iranians are a proud nation. But, their pride is a very private one, and not meant for public discourse or scrutiny. It manifests itself through their obsessive rituals during the ancient Zoroastrian holiday Noruz, their family gatherings, their warm hospitality and their insistence that their children should speak Farsi and read poetry. They are worried for their future, and having survived a brutal eight year war with Iraq, dread the thought of an impending war with the West when sirens, bombs and missile fires can rule the nights once again. In short, they have no claim to the world and want to live peacefully. That's not a complex. It is having the ill fortune of being misrepresented by their leaders and misunderstood by the world for the past three decades.

Comments

[RibEye]

So far these comparisons of one man who is not in charge of foreign policy nor the military has been facinating. First it was and still is Hitler and now Napoleon, another good one. Does anybody acutally study history and know what these guys did OUTSIDE of their own countries. Ahmadinejad can sure make life hell for Iranians INSIDE Iran. But where is this conquest of other nations. Incase both Brian Williams and the author missed, the islamic republic is the biggest enemy of the glorious Persian past.

[marko77]

Ahmadinejad is definately is trying to compensate for being "vertically challenged," as they say in Guatemala. If someone would only give him a Porsche or a vast supply of Viagra, he might be able to stop obscessing on his "shortcomings."

In addition, he has a twisted messianic belief that the "12th Iman" is on earth, and it's time for a nuclear holocaust party. Sheesh, this guy would be funny if he didn't wield some form of political power. Every country has it's share of crazed people and Iran is no different. It's a shame he has any power - however small or great.

[cylindar]

Bush is much more of a problem.

[meanguy]

yes, 'bush evil, ohmydinnerjacket good'...that about sums up the left's view on middle east affairs...oops. i forgot, 'zionists bad'

[marko77]

"yes, 'bush evil, ohmydinnerjacket good'...that about sums up the left's view on middle east affairs...oops. i forgot, 'zionists bad'" by meanguy

meanguy - not really.....the Middle East certainly has it's share of "Islamic" fundamentalist extremist whack-jobs that are leaping out of the 12th Century. But remember that these guys are the Middle Eastern counterparts to the Franklin Grahams and John Hagees from the West.....and that these "Christians" have been endorsed and empowered by W Bush and the right wing over the last 8 years.

[dtrobert]

Ahmadinejad has no more power than Dana Perino, does. He's the press secretary...

[mulegino]

Whatever historical despot Ahmadinejad may or may not identify with via a "complex" is not, nor should be, the issue for Americans. Nor should the happiness or unhappiness of the Iranian "people" (since happiness is about as subjective a quality as there is, how such a thing can be divined for an entire nation is beyond me). America should be a friend and well wisher to all peoples, regardless of how unpalatable their leaders may be. Remember, Ahmadinejad is the product of a course of historical events which were set in motion by the American and British backed deposition of Mossadegh in 1953.
The critical question really is: when is the American presidency and foreign policy going to shed its "Caesar complex" and return to its proper role of seeking the true security and well being of the American people? Such a course would obviously preclude the bloody interventionism and wars of corporate conquest undertaken in the name of "freedom", "democracy" or "war on terror".

[long333]

mulegino: Such a course would obviously preclude the bloody interventionism and wars of corporate conquest

Where is the free oil?

I guess we haven't got the rape and pillage thing straight. We were suppose to take the oil I thought. That is what the protestors said. You were probably one so maybe you can answer.

[Precisionist]

Is the author writing from the perspective of being an Iranian or being an American? If the perspective is Iranian then that claim is rather empty since by the writer's own admission, she has not been in Iran for the last 3 decades. Her comments carry about as much weight as mine, i.e colored by my own opinions and second-hand stories from others.

If her perspective is from that of an American, then her points are rather shallow. Ahmadenijad (or Iran) has not started any wars, unlike Napoleon. Our own leaders, on the other hand, have started wars of aggression, but seem to get no ink from the writer.

If the writer just harbors a personal grudge against Ahmadenijad, then please just say so and skip all the other supposedly "high-minded" stuff. There are plenty of people who will cheerlead you, particularly the right-wing supporters and the Israel-firsters.

Of course there may be perfectly rational reasons to not like Ahmadenijad, such as his support for women's rights, gays, his national economic policies, but why let objectivity get in your way.

[Viper]

And how tall is McCain these days?

Regards

[KPinSEA]

He's a politician all right .....

At least Iran *has* politicians ... puts them ahead of several of our "allies" in the region, doesn't it?

That *anybody* gives Bush's bozos the time of day when they beat a new war drum after the Iraq fiasco is just a testament to what slow learners we can be.

[MikeDu]

"Tieless, but wearing his signature sport jacket and perpetual grimace"

For one thing, I wouldn't exactly describe the guy's facial expressian as a 'grimace'.
For another, in post-70s Iran the necktie is officially considered a pointless western-imposed acoutrement - which it is. And help me with my history here. What war did Iran start? What country did they conquer? You description of "people who overcompensate... by seeking power, war and conquest " better describes George Bush Jr. than Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Sure he's a closed-minded despot, but he's no worse than all the close-minded despots we routinely praise as allies.

[JonathanDS2U]

You make no attempt to debunk the rumor that the U.S. has secretly trained a shrinking ray on Ahmadinejad and Kim Jong Il to gradually make them shorter - and yet you blame poor little Ahmadinejad for being short. I for one see no fault with a person who says to the world, "Am I going to set off World War III or not? What is going on inside my mind? Guess...." Brian Williams says Ahmadinejad just talks destruction in order to speak to his base. Let's all guess that one, what can we lose.

[meanguy]

priceless!

[johnqeniac]

Could you please supply a reference for the Ahmadinejad quote? Thanks.

[Countess]

The president of Iran and the president of the United States have a lot in common and many Americans are horrified to have Bush represent them and I am sure many Iranians feel the same way about their president.

[bayside]

Bush and MCain have the napolian atttitude..Iran is smoke and mirrors.... ...

[oldtree]

One obvious discrepancy is that Napoleon didn't have to ask the pope for his blessings. That can't be said with Iran being under a religious ruler. Government is a front for the religion and acts accordingly.
A startling discrepancy is that the current ruler of Iran hasn't started any wars that I am aware of?
But the one thing that is the most strange is our acceptance of Iran being an "outlaw". They keep doing odd things and saying contradictory, yet rational, things. And vice versa.
Perhaps the lack of logic and a sense of isolation is due to the religion being in charge of a government of largely secular people living in fear.

[jhNY]

As an Iranian who left the country 30 years ago, how would the author know what the average Iranian is thinking?

[liberalloons]

And how would you?

[johnqeniac]

The commenter didn't claim to know. The author did.

[RumiSouth]

Can we PLEASE stop supporting the White House's meme?! The foundations of war with Iran are all based on this idea that Iran is being led by a madman. But Ahmedinejad is NOT the most powerful person in Iran -- not by a long shot.

He's not the commander-in-chief of their armed forces or security services. He's not in charge of foreign or domestic policy. He's not even the head of state.

He's the president of the legislature, which is itself pretty toothless. He's about as "powerful" as Nancy Pelosi.

So can we please start talking about the man actually in charge of things? Where is the discussion of the Supreme Jurist, the analysis of Khamenei?

Substance, please.

[BinBaldwin]

As long as Ahmadinajead attacks President Bush he will he a Left Wing Hero, Until he attacks Israel of course.