The illusion that AIPAC is invincible has been shattered. The defeat of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee's (AIPAC) ill-advised push for new sanctions on Iran in the midst of successful negotiations is nothing short of historic. The powerful and hawkish pro-Israeli lobby's defeats are rare and seldom public. But in the last year, it has suffered three major public setbacks, of... Continue Reading
Whether Rouhani is a dealmaker depends partly on the actions of Obama and Congress. The Ahmadinejad era has officially come to an end. Rest assure, few in Iran are mourning this occasion. But questions still remain as to whether the new president, Hassan Rouhani, can usher in a new era. Here are a few thoughts on the subject. Can Rouhani Deliver? Rouhani is not the sole decision-maker in Iran,... Continue Reading
In the next few weeks, the political trajectory of Iran for the next decade will be revealed. Trita Parsi examines the upcoming Iranian Presidential Election. The next few weeks in Iran — with the elections and the political drama around it — can prove decisive in determining whether a non-violent, narrow and arduous path towards democratization will remain in the medium term or... Continue Reading
Stemming from its fears of an amending Iran-US relationship, Israel has mischaracterized the recent P5+1 talks as a failure for western interests. In reality, there are hopeful signs of progress towards a peaceful resolution of the potentially dangerous situation, says Trita Parsi. Netanyahu and Obama are at it again. The hardline Israeli Prime Minister, standing next to Senator Joe Lieberman,... Continue Reading
Avoiding another war of choice will require a media that digs beyond agenda-driven analysis and prevents the debate from being curtailed. It will require a media that doesn't permit a question of life and death to be framed in a simplistic manner that leaves the US with a false choice of either bombing Iran or accepting an Iranian bomb. America is once again drifting toward war. Less... Continue Reading
An analysis of American diplomacy, or lack thereof, that has contributed to the current stalemate between the US and Iran. Only twelve minutes into his presidency, Barack Obama reached out to the Muslim world and Iran, offering America’s hand of friendship if Iran would in turn unclench its fist. Yet three years later, we are closer to war than we were in the last years of the Bush... Continue Reading
The use of broad economic sanctions with the implicit objective of regime change and democratization is becoming increasingly common although there is little evidence to show they are effective. Come July, Iran’s oil will no longer flow to Europe, thanks to an EU embargo announced on January 23. That same day the United States approved sanctions on the country’s third largest... Continue Reading
Analysis on the attack on the British embassy in Tehran, and the underlying politics between the international community and Iran. The disgraceful attack by hardline Basijis – the same group that beat and killed peaceful demonstrators in Iran in 2009 – against the British embassy in Tehran appears on the surface to be a response to Britain's role in imposing crippling sanctions... Continue Reading
The determination to ramp up sanctions and rhetoric on Iran means Europe and the US are 'inching towards war'. Only sixteen months after the last United Nations Security Council sanctions resolution on Iran was passed, which was supposed to "bring Iran back to the negotiating table", Washington is once again upping the ante. And Europe is not far behind. Just this week, French... Continue Reading
Backed by Israel, it's the only foreign policy issue that unites the GOP. The rise of the Arab masses has pushed Iran out of the headlines -- for now. Even Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, whose theatrics rarely pass unnoticed, has lately failed to grab the attention of the U.S. media. America's attention has instead turned toward Egypt, Syria and Libya. This is likely to change in the next few... Continue Reading
