Washington--A country that is inherently unstable cannot act as a stabilizer for its neighbors. Iran is economically, socially, and politically fragile. While Iran will continue to be an influential actor in specific circumstances, it lacks the internal conditions to make its international influence sustained and stable.

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Washington -- The World Cup illustrates some of the weakening effects of sovereignty. FIFA shows how multilateral organizations like the United Nations are just a mirror of a global village where corruption, greed, patronage and dysfunctional governance are the norm - and how exceptional players like Ronaldinho share important personal traits with leaders like Nelson Mandela.

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