Change. A beautiful little word that has caused a great deal of discussion in the past year or so. What is change? Is it the exclusive property of one party or political philosophy? Is it possible for change to come overnight? Is change even possible in other countries? Today we may find out.

Back in 2003, when the US went into Iraq, one of the goals stated by George W Bush was his hope that it would lead to a blossoming of democracy in the Middle East. Unfortunately for him, it did not come to fruition. In fact, the Arab world seemed to go in the opposite direction. Hamas won control of the Palestinian Authority by claiming that the US loved Fatah more. And in 2005, the slightly pro-western candidate for Iran's presidency lost to a man who said that Khameini would be too willing to compromise with the Bush administration. The eventual winner ran as an outsider who would come in and restore dignity to the office of president. His name was Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

In the four years since he won election, the Iranian government has been at odds with the United States. Accusations of nuclear weapons programs and terrorist aid were lobbed by the Bush administration constantly. The right-wing media continually held up Ahmadinejad's speeches and said they resembled "liberal talking points". It seemed at one point that, thanks to Dick Cheney and John Bolton, we might even have an October surprise in 2008 in the form of an invasion of Iran. Fortunately, that only remained a neocon pipe dream.

For the past four years, Ahmadinejad has been a conservative's dream enemy: not especially intelligent looking, prone to a-hole statements, and leader of a nation that might be looking to join the nuclear club. He has been the paper tiger that Fox News could wave around to make their viewers pee themselves in fear. This may be about to change, however.

Reformers in Iran are currently rallying around a man with decidedly more liberal views, a man who was once Iran's prime minister. He is Mir-Hossein Moussavi. As the campaign has moved into its final days, Moussavi has gained on Ahmadinejad, and it is thought he has a very good chance of winning the presidency. In some ways, Moussavi and his campaign resemble Barack Obama:

• He has attracted the attention and support of the more educated and affluent in Iran, to the point that Ahmadinejad has accused him of being an "elitist".


• He has shown interest in opening a dialogue with the United States


• Ahmadinejad's slip in the polls has been attributed to his poor handling of the economy


• His wife, a university professor, has been compared to Michelle Obama, even to the point that the opposition has begun to attack her character


• Moussavi's middle name? Surprisingly, it's Lee! (Just kidding)

The election, which is being held today could be a real game changer in US-Iranian relations. A new, more liberal president in Iran could not only improve life in that country, it could also lead to a greater chance for peace in the Middle East.

This has the neocons scared. To that end, as the election has appeared to turn more to Moussavi, they have dismissed him as "no real change". The real power is with the religious authority, they say. This may be true. However, the news coverage showing massive rallies for Moussavi (and Ahmadinejad) gives me hope that the Iranian government (both religious and civic branches) may just be about to make a sea change.

In the days following September 11, 2001, there was an outpouring of support for the US and its people from all corners of the world, all heartfelt and sympathetic. The one that surprised and delighted me the most was a rally held in Tehran by Iranian students showing support for the United States. I really thought it would be a new chapter in our relationship. It did not come to pass, but today could be a true turning point. Only time will tell.

The Goddess of Democracy is coming, people.