Tag: iran

Washington Failing to Understand Iran’s Opposition

WASHINGTON – The popular uprisings that have brought turmoil to Arab countries across the Middle East and North Africa have also underscored Washington’s dearth of knowledge about forces on the ground in authoritarian states in the Middle East. One of the largest questions bedeviling policy makers has been the composition of various emerging opposition movements. … Continue reading “Washington Failing to Understand Iran’s Opposition”

Iranian Terrorist Group Courts Friends in High Places

For years now, supporters of the Iranian opposition group the Mujahedin-e Khalq (MEK) have lobbied in vain to have the organization taken off the U.S. State Department’s terrorism list. That day may now be approaching. A growing number of high-profile defense and foreign policy big-wigs—from former Central Command chief Anthony Zinni to former congressman and … Continue reading “Iranian Terrorist Group Courts Friends in High Places”

Iran Steps Up Crackdown on Opposition Leaders

On Monday night, Iranian security agents raided the home of opposition leader Mehdi Karroubi, separating him from his wife, searching his house, and arresting his son, Ali Karroubi, according to the local media outlet Saham News. Karroubi’s own Web site reports that percussion grenades were also detonated inside the house. Meanwhile, Iran’s other primary opposition … Continue reading “Iran Steps Up Crackdown on Opposition Leaders”

As Talks Stall with Iran, US Steps Up Propaganda War

Egypt’s revolution appears to have stiffened the spine of the Barack Obama administration when it comes to Iran. In the wake of the mass protests that ousted Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, Washington has begun to "tweet" in Farsi as well as Arabic. President Obama – and to an even greater extent, Secretary of State Hillary … Continue reading “As Talks Stall with Iran, US Steps Up Propaganda War”

Behind the Spin, Egypt Gives Tehran Political Heartburn

Judging from official propaganda in both Iran and much of the Arab world, the uprisings that toppled Tunisia’s dictatorship and threaten Egypt’s authoritarian regime are the direct descendent of the 1979 Islamic Revolution. For the Iranians, that analysis is a boast; for the Arabs, it is a dire warning.  In both cases, state-run media assert … Continue reading “Behind the Spin, Egypt Gives Tehran Political Heartburn”

Glimmer of Hope on Eve of New Iran Nuclear Talks

While expectations for any major breakthroughs in the latest round of talks between Iran and the major powers are virtually nonexistent, the two-day meeting that begins Friday in Istanbul could help ease growing tensions over Iran’s nuclear program. The most realistic hope among those who favor enhanced efforts to engage Tehran is that Iran and … Continue reading “Glimmer of Hope on Eve of New Iran Nuclear Talks”

High Stakes for Upcoming Nuclear Negotiations With Iran

Negotiations between Iran and the P5+1 – the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) plus Germany – will resume in Istanbul, Turkey, on Jan. 21. Although Turkey, which together with Brazil signed an agreement with Iran last May to store a significant portion of Iran’s stockpile of low-enriched uranium (LEU) on … Continue reading “High Stakes for Upcoming Nuclear Negotiations With Iran”

US Readies New Sanctions on Iran Ahead of Talks

The Barack Obama administration is preparing a new batch of sanctions against Iran to be announced next week in advance of nuclear talks in Turkey. Two Iran experts in Washington who are usually well briefed about U.S. Iran policy said more Iranian officials would be designated as abusers of human rights on top of eight … Continue reading “US Readies New Sanctions on Iran Ahead of Talks”

Carrots Likely Better Than Sticks in Iran Dealings

Although the recently released WikiLeaks secrets document the well-known animosity of Iran’s neighbors to the radical Islamist regime – with their hopes for a U.S. attack on the nation over its nuclear enrichment program – talks to end the Iranian effort will continue. In advance of the next installment of negotiations to be held in … Continue reading “Carrots Likely Better Than Sticks in Iran Dealings”

Senate Hawks Push Obama on ‘Zero Enrichment’ for Tehran

Five senators sent a letter to U.S. President Barack Obama Monday warning the administration not to offer concessions in upcoming talks with Iran over its nuclear program. If Obama takes the advice, experts say, it could sink his engagement efforts with Tehran. The letter, first reported by Foreign Policy‘s Josh Rogin, calls for zero enrichment … Continue reading “Senate Hawks Push Obama on ‘Zero Enrichment’ for Tehran”