IRAN. Tehran. Iranians talk about President Mahmoud AHMADINEJAD. The Professor: Abbassnia is a professor in the College of Civil Engineering where the President taught. Behind him stands the flag of Iran. He says : "Ahmadinejad might be driven by religion. But he is also a nationalist. He understands that Iran, for a long time, acted like an old person who has lost his memory. He wants Iranians to look back to their proud history and gain strength through this. First I thought he brought up the Holocaust issue out of coincidence , but soon it became obvious that he follows a clear strategy. I don’t know which one though. He has a very brilliant mind and is a perfect tactician. His speeches used to be too sophisticated. I told him this. Now he seems to have the right tone that appeals to the simple people.