Tag: iran

Why Target Iran?

On the front page of a prominent newspaper the news is grim: a Middle Eastern country run by a ruthless dictatorial regime has been secretly developing “weapons of mass destruction.” While in public they deny it, in their underground labs their scientists are busy, cooking up a radioactive horror that will soon be visited upon … Continue reading “Why Target Iran?”

My Iranian Learning Curve

WASHINGTON — There are learning curves and then there are learning curves, and there seems to be no greater disadvantage than the one the American media is suffering from when it comes to Iran. Me included. Fancy that. Engaging Iran, with which we have had this powerfully emotional and ultimately dysfunctional relationship going back decades, … Continue reading “My Iranian Learning Curve”

Israel’s Hypocrisy on a Nuclear Middle East

When world leaders packed their bags and headed home last week, there was one lingering memory of the General Assembly’s high-level debate: Benjamin Netanyahu’s dramatic presentation of a cartoonish nuclear red line, which hit the front pages of most mainstream newspapers in the United States. The Israeli prime minister warned Iran against crossing that red … Continue reading “Israel’s Hypocrisy on a Nuclear Middle East”

Netanyahu Backs Off on Iran

The main takeaway from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s U.N. speech was the inference that he has been forced to relent on the possibility of military action against Iran, with his threats deferred past the U.S. election on Nov. 6 and off into next spring and beyond. His ominous intonation that “everyone should have a … Continue reading “Netanyahu Backs Off on Iran”

Iranian Diplomat Says Iran Offered Deal to Halt 20% Enrichment

Iran has again offered to halt its enrichment of uranium to 20 percent, which the United States has identified as its highest priority in the nuclear talks, in return for easing sanctions against Iran, according to Iran’s permanent representative to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Ali Asghar Soltanieh, who has conducted Iran’s negotiations with … Continue reading “Iranian Diplomat Says Iran Offered Deal to Halt 20% Enrichment”

No to War With Iran

Israel and the United States have waged a campaign of cyberwarfare and covert operations against Iran for the past several years. If Iran had taken similar actions toward Israel or the United States, we would have considered it a declaration of open war. Iran is working hard to develop nuclear capability — if not an … Continue reading “No to War With Iran”

Iran Attack Could Spark Caucasus War and Economic Trouble

Russia’s Kavkaz-2012 strategic military training exercise later this month in the North Caucasus region may portend economic problems for the West. This is because the exercise is strategically linked to Russian expectations that Iran will be destabilized by the end of this year. If Iran is destabilized, Russia will uphold its obligations to Armenia under … Continue reading “Iran Attack Could Spark Caucasus War and Economic Trouble”

Has Obama Called Bibi’s Bluff?

What is Bibi Netanyahu up to? With all his warnings of Iran’s “nuclear capability,” of red lines being crossed, of “breakout,” of the international community failing in its duty, of an “existential threat” to Israel, what is the prime minister’s game? The answer is apparent. Bibi wants Iran’s nuclear program shut down, all enrichment ended, … Continue reading “Has Obama Called Bibi’s Bluff?”

The March of Folly

Nothing could be scarier than the thought that this duo — Benjamin Netanyahu and Ehud Barak — is in a position to start a war, the dimensions and outcome of which are incalculable. It’s scary not only because of their ideological fixations and mental outlook, but also because of the level of their intelligence. The … Continue reading “The March of Folly”

What Bibi Wants

It is September. And as surely as the swallows are preparing to depart Capistrano, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will be arriving in New York. It is an annual ritual, with Netanyahu explaining to a skeptical U.N. General Assembly why Israel is not bound by the rules that most other nations observe. Last year the … Continue reading “What Bibi Wants”