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NEW YORK, NY September 21, 2007 —Every fall, world leaders descend on New York for the UN General Assembly. But, if it weren't held in the city, some leaders wouldn't even receive visas to come to the US. So, the General Assembly gives many the unusual opportunity to court the American public, while damning the government. Last year, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez called President Bush "el diablo."

Next week, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmedinejad will speak at the UN and at Columbia University, where he'll be asked about his statement that Israel should be wiped off the map.

Trita Parsi is the author of Treacherous Alliance: The Secret Dealings of Israel, Iran and the United States.