Interview with Gary Sick: Israel is not Going to Attack Iran
Gary Sick was on the staff of the National Security Council under President Jimmy Carter and a White House aide during the Iranian Revolution and the hostage crisis. Currently, he is an adjunct professor at Columbia University and the director of Gulf/2000. He is also on the board of Human Rights Watch. He is the author of All Fall Down: America's Tragic Encounter with Iran. He recently spoke at a symposium at the University of Maryland titled "Iran after the 2009 Elections." -Fariba Amini - 11/20/09
Kabul asks Tehran for more investment
Iran is the fourth largest investor in Afghanistan. Iranian investments have been made on construction of roads and bridges, energy, agriculture and health care. - 11/20/09
Deportation of Nobel Peace Prize Nominee "could backfire" on Morocco
The detention and deportation of Western Sahara's most prominent human rights activist could backfire on Morocco as the action attracts worldwide condemnation. Aminatou Haidar, known has the "Sahrawi Gandhi", was deported from her home to Lanzarote by the Moroccans on Saturday and has been on hunger strike in the airport terminal ever since. -Stefan Simanowitz - 11/18/09
Iran's top general warns of Saudi 'Wahhabism Terrorism'
Iran's top general says the involvement of the Saudi kingdom in massacring Shias in Yemen is the beginning of "State Wahhabism Terrorism." Major General Hassan Firouzabadi said in a statement Tuesday that statesmen in Yemen and Saudi Arabia must realize that the continuation of "Wahhabism Terrorism" would have consequences for the entire region. - 11/17/09
What Middle East Policy to Expect from the New German Government?
On 28 October, a new German government took office. A coalition of Chancellor Angela Merkel's still ruling conservative Christian Democratic/Christian Social Union (CDU/CSU) with the pro-business Free Democrats (FDP) as junior partner replaced the Grand Coalition of conservatives (CDU/CSU) and social-democrats (SPD). -Ali Fathollah-Nejad - 11/16/09
Yemen and Saudi Arabia Continue to Battle Houthi Rebels
Yemen says it has recaptured ground from the Houthi rebels in the northern Saada province, while Saudi Arabia says its paratroopers are conducting mop-up operations along the border. - 11/16/09
Obama, Medvedev Discuss New START Treaty, Iran
U.S. President Barack Obama and Russian President Dmitri Medvedev say they still plan to have a replacement START nuclear arms reduction treaty ready by the end of the year. - 11/15/09
Turkey-Iran Ties Continue to Worry West
Relations between Turkey and Iran appear to be getting closer and those ties are raising concerns among some of Turkey's Western allies. This past weekend, Turkish President Abdullah Gul said at a meeting in Ankara that his country is keen to bolster relations with neighboring Iran. - 11/13/09
Two Cemeteries in Washington and Tehran
As you read these lines, you will probably hear the latest on the Iranian nuclear negotiations. Tehran's response to the latest Western offer – to further develop Iran's low-enriched uranium in France and Russia and return it to Iran – is likely to be negative. -Barin Kayaoglu, JTW - 11/13/09
War With Iran? America's Titanic Rushes The Iceberg
A very strange thing must have happened to Admiral Michael Mullen, Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS), on his way to his recent talk at Washington's National Press Club. He oddly asserted that Iran was indeed an "existential threat" to Israel (nice of the Israelis to have provided that sound bite), that he was open to a US attack on Iran (which is no threat whatsoever to the US) to forestall that supposed danger to Israel, and that the attack "would also be incredibly destabilizing." -Alan Sabrosky - 11/12/09
Russia still studying S-300 deliveries to Iran: Official
A senior Russian military official says Moscow is still reviewing the possible delivery of the S-300 air defense systems to Iran. - 11/12/09
More Civilians Fleeing Conflict In Northern Yemen; Iran Denies Backing Rebels
Iran's Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki denies his country is aiding rebel groups in Yemen. Reports of fighting along the Yemen-Saudi border continue, with conflicting accounts of who is attacking whom. In addition to denying the charge, the foreign minister countered with a warning to others bordering Yemen not to meddle in the country's internal affairs. - 11/11/09
Former US Embassy detainee handed Iran post
The United States has appointed veteran diplomat John Limbert, who was held hostage at the US embassy in Tehran in 1979, as its senior Iran official at the State Department. - 11/10/09
Tensions in an Iranian Exile Camp in Iraq
There seems, as with many problems in Iraq, no good answer for Camp Ashraf, as tensions here rise and American soldiers get closer to leaving: what to do with the few thousand Iranian dissidents here trained in explosives and proficient with tanks and machine guns who have sworn to overthrow the government in Tehran? -New York Times - 11/10/09
Interview: Iranian-American Author Discusses Islamic Dress
Iranian-American Azadeh Moaveni, is the author of the best-selling memoirs "Honeymoon in Tehran" and "Lipstick Jihad." She spoke to RFE/RL correspondent Kristin Deasy about Iran's strict Islamic dress code on one hand, and the banning of Islamic headscarves in Uzbekistan on the other. - 11/8/09
Caspian Sea states getting closer to finalizing legal regime agreement
Iran's Special Representative for Caspian Sea Affairs Mehdi Safari said littoral states of the sea have agreed on over 70 percent of the convention text to finalize Caspian Sea legal regime - 11/8/09
Senior U.S. Diplomat Says Obama Foreign-Policy Approach Paying Off
U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Phillip Gordon has defended the Obama administration's new approach to Russia and denied that the United States has sacrificed its allies in Central and Eastern Europe in the process of "resetting" U.S.-Russian relations. - 11/8/09
Iran rejects Israel's claim on weapon shipment
As the UN Fact-Finding committee's report on Gaza issue led by Richard Goldstone was being examined in the UN General Assembly meeting, Israeli representative at the UN pointed out to seizure of the ship and said anti-tank missiles were seen among the weapons and claimed that the weapons were heading for Hezbollah in Lebanon. - 11/7/09
Lebanon Opposition Agrees to Unity Government
The new 30-minister Cabinet will include 15 ministers from Mr. Hariri's coalition, 10 from the opposition, and five to be appointed by President Michel Suleiman. - 11/7/09
The future of Iranian-American relations
despite concerted efforts by the Israeli right wing and its allies in the US Senate to escalate the situation and manufacture the next war in western Asia, there has been movement toward a "cold peace" between Iran and the United States. The changed rhetoric of Obama has been seen as an opening by the foreign policy establishment in Iran, which has, in recent months, increased its independence from the fractious domestic politics of the country. -Arshin Adib-Moghaddam - 11/6/09
Afghan Election Officials Declare Karzai Winner
The commission chief Azizullah Ludin said Monday President Karzai would keep his post because he was the winner of the first round of voting in August, and the only candidate in the second round which had been scheduled for November 7. - 11/2/09
US had 'sporadic' contacts with Jundallah: Report
After the US vehemently denied having links to terrorists involved in a bombing attack in Iran, a former top army general in Pakistan and a former CIA case officer reveal more details about US contacts with Jundallah. - 10/31/09
Yemen, Iran trade Accusations About Houthi Rebels
Yemen's government has confirmed reports its coast guard has seized an Iranian ship with arms it says were destined for Yemeni rebels. Iranian media counters the Yemeni government is using al-Qaida in its war against the Shi'ite rebels. - 10/29/09
Iran criticizes UAE for not extending residence of some Iranian nationals
An Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman criticized the UAE for not extending residence of a number of Iranian nationals who have lived in the UAE for a long time. - 10/29/09
Larijani says Iran-Turkey cooperation can strengthen regional security
Iran's Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani said on Wednesday Iran-Turkey cooperation can strengthen security in the region. Larijani in a meeting with Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Tehran, pointed out to regional developments in Iraq, Afghanistan and Palestine and said Iran and Turkey's roles in the countries complete each other. - 10/28/09
Iran, Turkey stress maturing economic cooperation
Commercial exchanges between Iran-Turkey have totalled 11 billion dollars over recent years and the two countries are able to raise the amount by over 20 billion dollars. The remarks came by Iran's Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki in a meeting with Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Tehran - 10/28/09
Relations Between Turkey, Israel Continue to Falter
For more than a decade Turkey and Israel have enjoyed close military cooperation including joint naval exercises that have taken place since they signed a military cooperation agreement in 1996. But relations between the two countries have cooled since Ankara criticized Israel's offensive in the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip in December and January. Most recently, Turkey postponed a joint air force drill after opposing Israel's participation. - 10/28/09
Ahmadinejad hails Erdogan's nuclear support
Ahmadinejad, in a statement on the presidential website, said he "appreciates" Erdogan's stand on Iran's controversial atomic programme and on Israel, believed to be the Middle East's sole but undeclared nuclear state. -AFP - 10/27/09
Iran, Pakistan reach comprehensive security agreements
Iranian Interior Minister Mostafa Mohammad Najjar has said that Iran and Pakistan have reached significant agreements on various security issues. The two countries have agreed to boost border security, exchange information on security matters, and increase cooperation in the campaigns against drugs and human trafficking, he said in Islamabad on Saturday. - 10/25/09
Israel 'met Iran' at atomic talks
Senior Israeli and Iranian officials have met face-to-face and discussed the threat of nuclear arms, Israel says. Iran had denied the Israeli accounts, but if confirmed it would be the first official exchange between the bitter foes since Iran's 1979 revolution. -BBC - 10/22/09
Iran, Powers Get Draft Nuclear Deal For Approval
International Atomic Energy Agency chief Muhammad el-Baradei says Iran and world powers have agreed to consider a draft accord drawn up to help end the dispute over Iran's nuclear program. - 10/21/09
Afghan Election Runoff Comes With Second Round Of Obstacles
As expected, Afghan President Hamid Karzai has welcomed the Independent Election Commission's announcement that a second-round vote will be necessary to determine whether he or former Foreign Minister Abdullah Abdullah will be the country's next leader. - 10/21/09
Afghan immigrants find refuge in oil-rich Iran
As the world’s second largest oil producer, Iran’s economy has been cushioned by the economic downturn. Though Iran has been branded a nuclear outlaw and supporter of terrorism, to its neighbors, Iran is a model of stability. It is estimated that approximately 3 million Afghan immigrants in Iran are doing low-skill labor. -World Focus - 10/21/09
Endorsing Gaza war report, UN Human Rights Council condemns Israel
The Human Rights Council today strongly condemned a host of Israeli measures in the occupied Palestinian territory and called on both sides to implement the recommendations of a United Nations commission that found evidence that Israel and the Palestinians committed serious war crimes in the three-week Gaza war nine months ago. - 10/17/09
Obama's Iran Policy Is Misguided
Here is what Obama said in his Inaugural Address: "To those who cling to power through corruption and deceit and the silencing of dissent, know that you are on the wrong side of history, but that we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist." -Jalal Alavi - 10/16/09
Turkey-Israel Row Could Signal Geopolitical Change In Region
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said that his decision to bar Israel from taking part in NATO military exercises this week was based on "diplomatic sensitivities" and public opinion in his country. - 10/16/09
Iran-Egypt rapprochement plan back on track?
In what appears to be a step toward the normalization of relations between Iran and Egypt, the two sides hold high-level talks in the red sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh. Iran's Interior Minister Mostafa Mohammad Najjar and his Egyptian counterpart Habib Ibrahim el-Adly discussed a wide range of regional issues on the sidelines of the sixth meeting of interior ministers of Iraq's neighbor states. - 10/15/09
Some See Iran as Ready for Nuclear Deal
The analysts cite a confluence of factors, from Iran’s internal political crisis to the change in leadership in Washington, and one overriding point: Iran’s leadership may have achieved much of what it set out to accomplish when it stepped up its clandestine nuclear program in 1999. -New York Times - 10/15/09
At What Cost the Israel Lobby?
More than 46 years ago, President John F. Kennedy sought to preclude a nuclear arms race in the Middle East. In June 1963, he wrote the last in a series of insistent letters to Israeli Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion. Those letters sought what Israel now demands of Iran: international inspections of its nuclear facilities. -Jeff Gates - 10/13/09
Afghanistan, Iran Lead Clinton Agenda for European Trip
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton departed late Friday for a five-day trip to Europe and Russia. The trip will be filled with high-level talks about the war in Afghanistan, Iran's nuclear ambitions and a new pact to control nuclear arms in the U.S. and Russia. - 10/10/09
Barack Obama Wins Nobel Peace Prize
U.S. President Barack Obama has been awarded the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize: "for his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples" - Norwegian Nobel Committee - 10/9/09
Will Tel Aviv Take the U.S. to War – Again?
The same old Israeli duplicity is back but with a new twist. And, importantly, ably aided by a new commander-in-chief. As with the deception that induced the invasion of Iraq, war in Iran also requires weaving a web of consensus beliefs from threads of deceit. -Jeff Gates - 10/9/09
Clinton to Attend Turkey-Armenia Normalization Deal Signing
The United States has been heavily involved over the years in efforts to achieve a reconciliation between longtime antagonists Turkey and Armenia. Assistant Secretary of State for European Affairs Philip Gordon, who announced the Secretary's intention to attend the Zurich event, says it will underline the United States' commitment to see the process through to full normalization. - 10/9/09
Obama's promise of change could affect Iran-U.S. ties: Rafsanjani
In a meeting with Swiss Ambassador Livia Leu Agosti, whose country represents the U.S. interests section in Iran, Rafsanjani said Obama was elected president for his promise of change and many countries pinned their hopes on his promise to bring change to U.S. policy. - 10/8/09
Iranian-born US Nurse Brings Medicine and Education to Afghan Women
In this week's edition of our series Making a Difference, we meet an Iranian-born woman who says education is the best way to help the people of Afghanistan, especially women and children. In 2001, Fary Moini traveled to Pakistan where she volunteered in a refugee clinic, helping to deliver babies. She says the lack of supplies was shocking. - 10/8/09
Iran Envoy Denies Iraqi Official's Remarks Over Its Stances On Joint Rivers
Iraqi Vice President Tariq al-Hashimi recently complained about water shortage in his country attributing a part of it to Iran stances over joint waters of the two countries. He also claimed despite remarks by Iranian officials, Iran's behavior toward the neighboring country is irresponsible and unfair. - 10/8/09
Saudi King Visits Syria
Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah arrived in Syria for a two-day visit aimed at mending ties between the two rival nations. The visit is the first by a Saudi ruler since the 2005 assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri. - 10/8/09
Will Israel Ensure that History Repeats Itself?
The lead-up to the first U.S.-Iran talks in three decades saw a replay of the same modus operandi that induced the U.S. and its allies to invade Iraq in March 2003. Then as now, the invasion of Iran is consistent with a regime change agenda for Greater Israel described in a 1996 strategy document prepared by Jewish-Americans for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. -Jeff Gates - 10/5/09
Nuclear talks: Iran agrees to meet US, world powers twice more in October
Iran appeared to understand there was new urgency on the nuclear issue, agreeing at the Geneva talks to open its second enrichment facility to inspectors. -CSM - 10/2/09
Israel Tones Down Warnings of Strike on Iran as Diplomatic Efforts Intensify
Israel has for some time warned it is ready to launch preemptive strikes against Iran's nuclear facilities at any time. With international pressure growing on Iran to freeze its nuclear program, analysts say Israeli leaders are toning down those warnings and giving diplomacy a chance to work. - 10/2/09
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