NIAC's Statement on US Congressional Action on Iran

- The National Iranian American Council's policy director Jamal Abdi issued the following statement regarding the Senate's passage of S.Res.65, a resolution conveying U.S. support for potential Israeli military strikes on Iran - 5/23/13

New Congressional Sanctions Push Aimed at Killing Iran Diplomacy

- The House is poised to move ahead with a new round of Iran sanctions, and a slew of new sanctions proposals are set to be introduced in the Senate, even as a host of current and former senior U.S. officials - including Secretary of State John Kerry - have warned the body to hold off on new sanctions at the risk of imperiling a diplomatic resolution to the nuclear standoff. -Jamal Abdi, Lobe Log - 5/18/13

Photos: Iran joins US charity wrestling event in New York

- Iranian wrestlers participated in a New York charity event dubbed "The Rumble on Rails" at Grand Central Station, facing off against their U.S. and Russian adversaries on May 15, with Iran defeating the U.S. 6 to 1. - 5/16/13

Why sanctions on Iran are not working

- The current sanctions policy is based on a shaky assumption - the belief that economic pain and dissatisfaction among political elites automatically will result in pressure on the Iranian regime to change its nuclear course. This assumption does not hold. The economic pain imposed on Iran is intense - but directionless. -Trita Parsi & Reza Marashi, Al Jazeera - 5/16/13

Photos: Teams From U.S., Iran, Russia Back Olympic Wrestling

- Wrestlers from the United States, Iran, and Russia have appeared jointly at the United Nations to promote the value of wrestling. The teams, which are in New York for a wrestling exhibition on May 15 at New York's Grand Central Station railway terminal, hope to apply pressure on the International Olympic Committee to keep their sport in the Olympics. - 5/15/13

Iranian wrestlers head to U.S.

- The Iranian free-style wrestling team left Tehran for the United States on Sunday morning to participate in an exhibition match in New York's Times Square. The United States, Russia and Iran will come together in solidarity to compete in a unique wrestling competition in Vanderbilt Hall in Grand Central Terminal in New York City on May 15. - 5/13/13

Consequences of western intransigence in nuclear diplomacy with Iran

- To maintain the illusion of some prospect for progress in nuclear diplomacy with Tehran, European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton will meet with Iran's chief nuclear negotiator, Saeed Jalili, in Istanbul next week - on May 15. -Hillary Mann Leverett and Flynt Leverett, Al Jazeera - 5/10/13

NORPAC: The Mission and the Message

- Today (May 8, 2013) hundreds of buses packed with what organizers claim are about a thousand citizen advocates departed from various pick-up points in and around New York and New Jersey for Washington, DC. They represent NORPAC (not an acronym for anything), a much smaller, localized grassroots version of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) -Marsha B. Cohen - 5/9/13

Conflict Kitchen: Changing Americans' Perception Of U.S. Adversaries, One Dish At A Time

- In the United States, Iran is better known for its nuclear ambitions than for its "fesenjan," the traditional Persian stew of chicken, pomegranates, and walnuts. Jon Rubin would like to change that. Rubin is the co-founder of Conflict Kitchen, a carry-out restaurant in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania that only serves food from countries with which the United States is in conflict. -Heather Maher, RFE - 5/8/13

The Failed Neocon Attempt to Destroy an American Anti-war Organization

- The war over war with Iran has many battlefronts. Inside Washington, the battle line is between a small coalition of peace and security, non-proliferation and religious groups opposing war and favoring a peaceful solution to the stand off with Iran, and a well-funded war machine comprising neoconservative organizations who believe war with Iran should have started years ago. -M.J. Rosenberg, Washington Spectator. - 5/7/13

Panel Discussion at UC Davis: The Negative Impacts Of Sanctions On The People Of Iran

- June 2, 2013 6:00 to 9:00 p.m.: As part of Senses Cultural's mission to promote programs that will bring greater understanding about culture and humanity, Please join Senses Cultural in supporting a panel Discussion about the negative impacts of sanctions on the people of Iran. - 5/7/13

Iranian cyclists ends Eurasia tour with message of peace

- An Iranian cyclist has ended his 20,000-km tour around Europe and Asia with the message of peace and friendship. Yavar Samadi, 45, rode to 20 European and Asian countries carrying a slogan of protecting the environment. - 5/7/13

Obama's Duplicitous Iran Policy

- During his campaign for president in 2008 Obama emphasized time and again that he would resolve the standoff with Iran over its nuclear program peacefully and through diplomatic means. But, his Iran policy has been a completely duplicitous one - talking about diplomacy, while waging economic war on the Iranian people, preparing for military attacks, ... -Muhammad Sahimi, Antiwar.com - 5/6/13

Exhibition in London by Iranian Artists: Peace from the bottom of my art

- Beyond the artworks presented, the exhibition 'Peace from the bottom of my art' is an expression of everyone's dream of peace. Opera Gallery is proud to host this inspiring collection of all that Iran has to offer, and to guide you in the exploration of those 58 visions of peace. - 4/30/13

Iran Unveiled: Photos by Adam Jones

- What is the visual image that most of us have of Iran? Probably, it's a black-and-white vision of some medieval-looking back alley, with a dark-shrouded woman walking down it. Perhaps there is no other country where propaganda has succeeded in creating such a misleading and impoverished mental portrait. - 4/26/13

Chorus grows against Obama administration's sanctions-heavy Iran policy

- "I was in the [State] Department when they kept talking about the so-called two-track policy, and it was clear the whole thing was nonsense, there never were two tracks," says John Limbert, the former US deputy assistant secretary of state for Iran from 2009 to 2010. "The sanctions took all the air out of the room. It was 95 percent sanctions, and that was on a good day." -Scott Peterson, CSM - 4/26/13

Forum in New York - Sanctions as a Tool of War: A Comparative Look at Iraq and Iran

- Sanctions are still presented in mainstream political discussion as a peaceful alternative to military intervention. But the experience of Iraqis, whose society was devastated by over ten years of harsh economic sanctions, shows us that sanctions against countries that defy Washington are a form of collective punishment used to augment the effects of war and/or lay the groundwork for war. - 4/21/13

U.S. figures call for direct talks with Iran

- Thirty-five prominent former U.S. diplomats and military officials have urged the U.S. administration to make a strong effort to initiate direct talks with Iran. - 4/19/13

Senate Brings US Closer to War With Iran

- The National Iranian American Council strongly opposes today's Senate Foreign Relations Committee adoption of S.Res.65, a resolution conveying U.S. support for potential Israeli military strikes on Iran. NIAC urges the Senate to delay any further action on this resolution and to instead work to advance a serious diplomatic solution to the Iranian nuclear dispute. - 4/18/13

U.S. Offers Condolences, Aid following deadly Iran quake

- The White House has offered U.S. condolences to Iran over the earthquake that killed at least 37 people and injured some 850 others in southern Iran and indicated that Washington is ready to "help the Iranian people in this time of need." - 4/11/13

Anti-Violence artworks on display at Seyhoun Gallery in Hollywood

- Seyhoun gallery in Hollywood is currently playing host to a group exhibition entitled "Replacing Violence with Art" which has put on display works by some Iranian and international artists. - 4/11/13

Can the Iranian Nuclear Dispute be Resolved?

- Readers who recall that four years ago a new US President seemed eager to defuse the West's quarrel with Iran over its nuclear activities may wonder why we are all still waiting for white smoke. -Peter Jenkins, Lobelog - 4/11/13

The Way of the Knife: NYT's Mark Mazzetti on the CIA's Post-9/11 Move from Spying to Assassinations

- In his new book, "The Way of the Knife: The CIA, a Secret Army, and a War at the Ends of the Earth," Pulitzer Prize-winning New York Times reporter Mark Mazzetti tracks the transformation of the CIA and U.S. special operations forces into man-hunting and killing machines in the world's dark spaces -Democracy Now - 4/11/13

Iranian wrestling team to travel to U.S. for exhibition match in New York

- The Iranian freestyle team will leave Tehran on May 11 to participate in an exhibition match in New York's Times Square. The United States Wrestling Federation has said that a dual meet will be held on May 16. - 4/10/13

Two ambassadors hold Iran photo exhibit in Tehran

- Indonesian Ambassador Dian Wirengjurit and the ambassador of Bosnia and Herzegovina Emir Hadzikadunic have travelled across Iran to take the photos for the joint exhibit, which has been entitled "Iran: East and West Perspectives". - 4/8/13

Reflections on Obama's Nowruz Address as Hafez Rolls Over in His Grave

- Four years ago, President Barack Obama quoted the beloved 13th century Persian poet Sa'di in his first Nowruz message to the Iranian people. The address, with its veneer of peace and diplomacy, was a well-received gesture to both civil society and the leadership in Tehran, recognizing the Islamic Republic and celebrating the country's ancient culture and history... -Jamasb Madani - 4/5/13

Let Iranians get needed medicines

- As you may know, Havaar recently launched a campaign to oppose the sanctions that have had such a devastating effect on average Iranians. As a starting point, we are focusing on pressuring banks to enable financial transactions that will help Iranians to acquire life-saving medicines, some of which have been unavailable or unaffordable in recent months. - 4/4/13

The Long History of Lies about Iran

- There was a flood of articles and analyses on the tenth anniversary of invasion of Iraq on March 19, most of which focused on the lies, exaggerations, and half-truths that the War Party told the American people and the world in the run up to the war. -Muhammad Sahimi, antiwar - 4/3/13

Obama is channeling Bush fever in Iran

- Ten years after the Iraq debacle, are we -- mind-bogglingly -- headed to war with Iran? The signals suggest yes. -Falguni A. Sheth, Salon - 3/31/13

Obama Makes Nice Speeches but One Sided Support for Israel Continues

- Phyllis Bennis: President Obama recognizes injustice and need for two states but does nothing to pressure Netanyahu to make concessions to Palestinians -RNN - 3/28/13

BRICS countries slam threats against Iran

- Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, the BRICS member states, have expressed concern about military threats against Iran: We believe there is no alternative to a negotiated solution to the Iranian nuclear issue. - 3/28/13

Report: Why Sanctions On Iran Aren't Working

- Sanctions have so far failed to affect the Iranian government's nuclear policy and are unlikely to do so in the future given the perceptions and calculations of the Iranian elite, according to a new report by the National Iranian American Council (NIAC). - 3/26/13

Photos: 4th International Nowruz Festival in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan

- Norouz international event was held in in the Turkmenistan's capital of Ashgabat on Thursday. Nowruz (new day) marks the New Year for a number of regional countries, including Iran and Turkmenistan. The theme for the 4th International Nowruz Festival was peace and humanity. - 3/22/13

10 Years After Iraq, Stop War with Iran

- A measure (S.Res.65) is moving rapidly through the Senate that would call for the U.S. to commit to war if Israel decides to strike Iran. Under such a scenario, it would be Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu who decides and announces that the U.S. is going to war with Iran. Take action by calling your two Senators and one Representative in Congress to oppose the new war and sanctions legislation. - 3/22/13

Yesterday: Iraq. Tomorrow: Iran?

- It was 10 years ago this week that George Bush launched his ill-fated war of choice in Iraq. The anniversary comes as politicians in Washington and Israel continue to discuss the option of military action against Iran. The parallels with a decade ago are striking. -David Cortright, TIME - 3/18/13

Iranian-Jewish Dialogue on the Cyrus Cylinder

- The Center for World Religions, Diplomacy, and Conflict Resolution (CRDC), Federation of Zoroastrian Associations of North America (FEZANA), and National Iranian American Council (NIAC) invite you to a shared panel and celebration in honor of the presence in Washington of the Cyrus Cylinder and its significance for the peaceful interaction of civilizations based on universal human rights and human dignity. - 3/16/13

The Senate's 10-Year Iraq War Anniversary Gift: War With Iran

- When we mark the grim 10-year anniversary of the U.S. invasion of Iraq next Tuesday, most Americans will be reflecting on the enormous human, economic, and geopolitical costs that the disastrous war and occupation inflicted. What they won't be doing is hoping for an anniversary gift from the people who got us into that war. -Jamal Abdi - 3/16/13

3 Facts to Note in 2013 Worldwide Threat Assessment Report

- Almost ten years to the day of the foolish invasion of Iraq, the discrepancy that existed between the media description of the Iraqi threat and the non-manipulated assessment of the U.S. intelligence community is being seen again -- but this time on Iran. -Trita Parsi, Huffington Post - 3/15/13

"The Backdoor to War with Iran" - Wilkerson Attacks Senate Resolution

- Col. Lawrence Wilkerson: Resolution S.RES.65 sends the message to Iran that the US objective is regime change, not a negotiated settlement to nuclear question - 3/14/13

The Promise of Almaty

- Could the Almaty talks have been the turning point the international community has so long been yearning for? "Useful" and "realistic" are two words not generally used when characterizing Iranian nuclear negotiations, yet that's exactly how American and Iranian officials labeled the Almaty talks that concluded on February 27th. -Omid Irani - 3/14/13

Pop Up tour exhibiting works of Iranian stencil/street artists Icy and Sot

- ICY (born 1985) and SOT (born 1991) are stencil artists from Tabriz - IRAN. they started their professional career in 2008 they had uploaded previous works as early as 2006 and they influenced and dragged their friends to street art. Their works are about peace, war, Love, hate, hope, despair, children, human rights and the Iranian culture. - 3/10/13

Crying wolf over Iran's nuclear program

- After producing his comic diagram during his speech at the United Nations General Assembly last September, drawing a red line in order to stop Iran's alleged imminent nuclear bomb, the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called for immediate action against Iran before it was too late. -Farhang Jahanpour - 3/8/13

Do not repeat Iraq's mistake on Iran: Hans Blix

- Ten years after the US invaded Iraq, Hans Blix, and former head of IAEA warned world powers, "not to repeat Iraq's mistake about Iran." World "memories are short," the now 82-year-old Swedish ex-diplomat told a small group of journalists at a press gathering in Dubai. "Memories of the failure and tragic mistakes in Iraq are not taken sufficiently seriously," he said. - 3/7/13

The P5+1 meeting with Iran: Did someone blink?

- On March 1, 2010, an essay in Haaretz titled "Who will blink first in Iran's nuclear poker game?" stated that "Israel is on the verge of a preemptive war to try to foil Iran's nuclear program." So, the question was who would blink first? Would it be Iran that would give up its nuclear program? Would it be Israel that would be forced to withdraw its threat of military attack? Or would it be the US that would ratchet up the pressure on Iran to please Israel? -Sasan Fayazmanesh - 3/5/13

JUST THINKING FREELY: Potentials for a US-Iran Rapprochement

- On Tuesday, February 26, the P5+1 and Iran commenced negotiations in Almati, Kazakhstan, and Chuck Hagel began his first day on the job as the new Secretary of Defense. Both these events bore great significance, considering what had gone on to lead to this stage of the game. -Kam Zarrabi - 3/2/13

Senators Push Promise to Support Israeli Strikes on Iran

- New legislation introduced by Senators Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and Robert Menendez (D-NJ) calls for the U.S. to provide military, economic, and diplomatic support for Israel should its government decide to launch military strikes on Iran. - Jamal Abdi, NIAC - 3/2/13

On Heels of Argo Oscar, Former Hostages Say U.S. and Iran Must Break "Wall of Mistrust"

- On the heels of Argo's Oscar victory, and on the eve of renewed Iranian nuclear negotiations retired Ambassadors Bruce Laingen and John Limbert - two former hostages held at the U.S. embassy in Tehran during the 444 day crisis - called for sustained diplomacy and an expansion of U.S.-Iran talks. -Solmaz Elmi-Sarabi, NIAC - 3/1/13

Senators Push Resolution Committing US to Aid Israel in Attack on Iran

- A bipartisan group of US senators is pushing a resolution declaring that if Israel attacks Iran "in self-defense," the United States will join in the military assault on Israel's behalf. Leaving aside the fact that under no reasonable definition of "self-defense" could Israel conceivably justify an attack on Iran, the resolution is both an illustration of Congress's fealty to Israel, as well as their aggressiveness towards Iran. -John Glaser, Antiwar - 3/1/13

The Syrian Back Door to War With Iran

- So why in the name of all that's holy are we allying with and arming these monsters? In a word: Iran. The Western alliance with the Syrian sons of Osama bin Laden is a cold geopolitical calculation. We're out to show the mullahs of Tehran that we mean business. Syria could wind up opening an oh-so-convenient back door to war with Iran. -Justin Raimondo, Antiwar - 3/1/13

On Iran, try backscratching, not blackmail

- If someone threatened to punish you unless you did something you didn't want to do, how would you respond? Unless the threatened punishment was really horrible you'd refuse, because giving into threats encourages the threatener to make more demands. But what if someone offered to pay you to do something you didn't want to do? -Stephen M. Walt, FP - 2/28/13

Jack Straw (Former British FM): Even if Iran gets the Bomb, it won't be worth going to war

- What Iran seeks is twofold. First, it wants its "full rights" under the NPT for civil nuclear power. It can fairly point out that three nuclear weapons states - Israel, India and Pakistan - have always refused to join the NPT, while North Korea, now boasting about its atomic capability, withdrew from the Treaty in 2003. Second, it seeks an end to its international isolation and a recognition (especially by the US) of its regional status. -Telegraph, UK - 2/27/13

US, Iran Go to the Mat for Olympic Wrestling

- The United States and Iran rarely agree on much. But now sports officials in both countries are going to the mat to try to save wrestling as an Olympic sport. World Championship wrestling in Tehran pits the United States against Iran. But the match is about more than victory for one side or the other. For the wrestlers and their coaches, it is the start of a shared struggle. - 2/23/13

Iran is cooperating in global Human Proteome Project

- A researcher of Royan Research Institute said here Saturday Iran is cooperating with 19 developed countries in the global Human Proteome Project (HPP) in the fields of medicine and science. - 2/23/13

Photos: Iran overpowers US freestyle wrestling team 6-1 at World Cup in Tehran

- Defending World champion Iranian freestyle wrestling team in a brilliant performance on Thursday evening overpowered US free style wrestling team 6-1. Iranian team set a shining record on the first day of the international tournament and powerfully won all five teams in its pool. - 2/22/13

New Congressional Push to Prevent War, Establish Diplomatic Envoy to Iran

- Representative Barbara Lee (D-CA) and ten of her colleagues are renewing a push to establish a Special Envoy to Iran who would lead efforts to pursue a diplomatic resolution to the nuclear dispute, prevent war, and support human rights. - 2/22/13

Diplomatic Solution? The US and Iran

- On January 30, 2013, The HAND Foundation and Ploughshares Fund hosted a reception and talk titled Iran: Is there still time for a diplomatic solution? Over 150 people attended this event in Redwood City, California. The engaged audience heard former U.S. Ambassador William H. Luers, Lieutenant General Frank Kearney, and Ambassador James Dobbins share their insights about the possibility of reaching a diplomatic solution with Iran on their nuclear program. - 2/20/13

Room for optimism in Iran and the P5-plus-1 talks

- Iran and the P5-plus-1, which includes the United States, will meet again on 26 February in Kazakhstan. This is the first time that the two sides will meet in an atmosphere of continuing mutual suspicion since the third round of talks held in Moscow on 18-19 June 2012 ended in stalemate. -Farhang Jahanpour - 2/20/13

Sports brings nations together: U.S. wrestling coach

- The United States freestyle wrestling coach Zeke Jones has said that sports bring nations together. In an email interview with the Tehran Times on Tuesday, Jones also talked about the 2013 Freestyle World Cup, which will be held in Tehran from February 20 to 21. - 2/20/13

Opposition to War with Iran: Lessons of the Last Decade

- Hardly any day goes by in which the mass media does not speculate on the possibility of military attacks on Iran. The mainstream media consistently blows way out of proportion the "threat" that the Islamic Republic supposedly poses to Israel and the West, and ignores the decade-long covert war waged by Israel on Iran. -Muhammad Sahimi - 2/13/13

Despite Offer of Direct Talks, U.S. Intensifies "Sanctions-Centric" Economic War Against Iran

- The Obama administration is ratcheting up its economic war against Iran ahead of nuclear talks slated for Kazakhstan later this month. Last week, the White House announced a new expansion of sanctions that pressure countries buying Iran's oil to withhold direct payments and instead force Iran to purchase their goods. The Treasury also widened the sanctions list to include Iranian state media. -Democracy Now - 2/12/13

Organizations Call for Obama to Allow Medicine and Humanitarian Trade with Iran

- Twenty-five organizations called on President Obama to ensure that existing U.S. sanctions on Iran do not block access for medicine, food, and basic humanitarian goods for Iranian civilians. In a letter led by the Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL) and signed by NIAC and other anti-war, human rights, and humanitarian organizations, the groups urged the President to exempt humanitarian transactions from sanctions against Iran's banking sector. - 2/11/13

Top Former General Warns Against Self-Fulfilling Prophecy of Iran War

- The former Vice-Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff warned on Wednesday that a military strike on Iran would require the U.S. to occupy Iran for "tens of years" and urged instead for a diplomatic solution. - 2/8/13

Chuck Hagel's Confirmation Hearings: Poor Performance? Let's Wait and See!

- I watched the entire eight-hours-long confirmation hearing of Chuck Hagel, President Obama's nominee for the new Defense Secretary, at the Senate Armed Services Committee on Thursday. I watched it with disgust and delight at the same time. -Kam Zarrabi - 2/5/13

Waking Up to Iran's Real History

- Americans have a deeply distorted understanding of Iran and what has driven that country's political change over the past six decades. This false history has become the backdrop for a possible new war, as David Swanson notes in reviewing a new book, Waking Up in Tehran. -Consortiumnews - 2/5/13

Supervisor of Intelligence Estimate Hailed for Preventing War with Iran

- Professor Thomas Fingar wins the Sam Adams award for integrity in intelligence, while others warn of an unprecedented crackdown on intelligence agency whistleblowers. Thomas Fingar, now a Professor at Stanford University, oversaw the National Intelligence Estimate on Iran in 2007, during a period when the Bush administration was beating the drums of war. -RNN - 2/4/13

"Iranian Mothers for Peace" Alert the World on Sanctions and Shortage of Medicines

- "Iranian Mothers for Peace," in an open letter of January 2013 to Mr. Ban Ki-moon, the UN Secretary General, and Dr. Margaret Chan, the Director General of the World Heath Organization, have alerted the responsible world bodies and human rights organizations to the critical shortage of vital medication due to the US/EU-led sanctions on Iran and their deadly impact on the lives and health of the Iranian population. -Farid Marjai and Mehrnaz Shahabi - 2/3/13

The U.S. needs a completely different approach to Iran

- As Washington and its great power partners prepare for more nuclear negotiations with Iran, the Obama administration and policy elites across the political spectrum talk as if America is basically in control of the situation. -Flynt and Hillary Leverett, Reuters - 2/2/13

Experts Discuss Delays and Future Negotiations on Iran Nuclear Issue

- With a new round of nuclear negotiations involving the U.S. and Iran facing continued delays, experts analyzed the future of U.S.-Iran diplomacy at the Woodrow Wilson Center on Tuesday. Bijan Khajehpour, managing partner of Atieh International, warned against an overplaying of the sanctions card by the U.S. and its partners. -Nadia Hakim, NIAC - 2/1/13

FBI pursuit of Stuxnet leaks reignites whistleblower debate

- The FBI is ramping up its efforts to find out who leaked information about the Stuxnet worm used to attack Iranian nuclear facilities in 2010, and that has reignited debate over whether the Obama administration's aggressive pursuit of those who leak classified information is trampling privacy rights. -Infoworld - 2/1/13

How to Influence Iran's Foreign Policy Debate

- There is still time for diplomacy to work and the Obama administration should pursue it vigorously and comprehensively in its second term while defending its domestic flank from AIPAC and its formidable network of supporters in Congress and the media. -Thomas J. Buonomo, Huffington Post - 1/30/13

Iranian Official Warns Against Attack On Syria

- A senior Iranian official says his country would consider any attack on Syria an attack on itself. The semiofficial Mehr news agency quoted Ali Akbar Velayati, an adviser to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, as saying on January 26 that the Syrian regime played a "key role in the region for promoting firm policies of resistance." - 1/26/13

Syrian Refugees Tell U.S. Officials "Heartbreaking" Stories

- Top U.S. aid officials were in the Islahiye Camp in Turkey January 24, spending hours with camp staff and refugees. The United States is a major donor to the humanitarian aid effort to support these refugees and Syrians still in their country needing assistance. In Ankara January 25, the United States announced a further $10 million increase in aid. - 1/26/13

Devil Is in the Details for Iran Nuclear Deal

- After a year of fruitless negotiations that are expected to resume soon, Iranian and U.S. experts are urging both sides to show more flexibility and make more concessions on its nuclear programme. -Jasmin Ramsey, IPS - 1/26/13

'This is war propaganda, and you are the target': Latest anti-Muslim subway ads get another makeover

- The latest installment of anti-Muslim advertisements put out by Pamela Geller have gone up in New York City subway stations. But they have quickly received a makeover, just as the last batch did. -Alex Kane, Mondoweiss - 1/24/13

Widely Cited Government Study on Iranian Spies 'Pulled for Revisions'

- An official with the Library of Congress says a widely cited but poorly sourced report his office did on Iran's intelligence ministry has been pulled from circulation. -Justin Elliott, Pro Publica - 1/23/13