The situation in Iran remains both tense and fluid, and discerning which faction(s) are on top is difficult. The Islamic Republican Guard seems to be dominant at the moment, but that could change. The best analysis I’ve read this past week was by the veteran Iranian editor and journalist Amir Taheri, on Asharq-Alawsat. It can be read at: http://www.asharq-e.com/news.asp?section=2&id=17836

Tariq Alhomayed’s piece on the same site, http://www.asharq-e.com/news.asp?section=2&id=17897 , is also worth reading for its take on Iran’s use of hostages – even internal ones, like the Reformists now being tried in Tehran.