The 2008 TIME 100 Finalists

AGE: 51
OCCUPATION: President of the Islamic Republic of Iran
NUMBER OF TIME COVERS: 1
PREVIOUS APPEARANCES ON THE TIME 100: 1

PRO: A report from all U.S. intelligence services stating that Iran did indeed halt its nuclear weapons program in 2003 halted the drumbeat to war and embarrassed the Bush team. At a controversial event in New York, Ahmadinejad somehow managed to come across as more balanced and less bellicose than Columbia president Lee Bollinger, who ambushed him on stage in response to criticisms he was celebrating an anti-Semitic dictator.

CON: Straight D's on his economic record and a wave of centrist political victories suggest the fiery Ahmadinejad could face tough competition in next year's presidential election — possibly from Tehran Mayor Mohammed Qalibaf, the guy who now holds his old job.