Trita Parsi

The winds of fortune in the Iranian nuclear standoff seem to have shifted, judging by the U.S.’ new confidence. But in Washington’s apparent quest to get an upper hand, misreading the causes of the backlash in Iran against President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad may cause the U.S. to lose rather than gain leverage. Over the past few … Continue reading “Will Surge Hurt US More Than Sanctions Hurt Iran?”

As the Feb. 21 deadline for Iran to halt its uranium enrichment program fast approaches, both Iran and the West are scrambling to prepare themselves for all possible moves by the other side. A scenario causing some discomfort among decision-makers in the George W. Bush administration would entail Iran succumbing to the Security Council request … Continue reading “What if Iran Suspends? A Western Dilemma”

WASHINGTON – President George W. Bush’s address on Iraq Wednesday night was less about Iraq than about its eastern neighbor, Iran. There was little new about the U.S.’s strategy in Iraq, but on Iran, the president spelled out a plan that appears to be aimed at goading Iran into war with the U.S. While Washington … Continue reading “Bush’s Iraq Plan – Goading Iran Into War”

After a tense week in which several U.S. allies broke ranks with the George W. Bush administration on Iran, an agreement has been reached to give diplomacy a bit more time. Realizing the futility in pushing for sanctions against Iran in the Security Council with Russia, China, and France objecting, Washington has made virtue out … Continue reading “Italy Boosts Talks on Iran, but Real Test Lies Ahead”

Scheduled talks between Javier Solana, high representative for the European Union’s Common Foreign and Security Policy, and Iran’s National Security Adviser Ali Larijani were postponed Wednesday over disagreements on the nature of the exchange – would the parties discuss or negotiate? During much of the summer, the Europeans were seeking Iran’s approval of the June … Continue reading “EU and Iran Find Their Roles Reversed”

As the fighting between Israel and the Hezbollah persists, an Israeli strategy of enlarging the conflict seems to be crystallizing. Neoconservative pundits in the U.S. have pointed an accusatory finger at the usual suspect – Tehran – arguing that Hezbollah was pushed by Iran to open a new front against Israel to capitalize on Israel’s … Continue reading “Israel Readies for Iran Showdown by Attacking Lebanon”

Israel has seldom been as quiet on Iran as in the last three months. Though Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has pursued a policy of reducing Israel’s visible involvement in the Western campaign to rein in Iran’s nuclear ambitions – "work hard and say less," as he put it in March – much indicates that the … Continue reading “Israel Fears High Price for US Strike on Iran”

Amid increasing tensions between Tehran and Washington over Iran’s nuclear program, the George W. Bush administration is courting the Persian/Arab Gulf monarchies with the same proposal it offered them 15 years ago after the first Gulf War – purchase U.S. armory in the billions and Washington will protect you against your Persian nemesis. But today, … Continue reading “Gulf States Rethink US-Led Security Alliance”