By AMIR BASIRI As President-elect Trump gets ready for office, he will be inheriting several foreign policy challenges from the outgoing Obama administration. One of the most complicated problems is Iran, a rogue state that is the leading state sponsor of terrorism and Islamic fundamentalism, a … [Read more...] about Why Trump should work with the Iranian opposition
Foreign Policy
Iran: What to do?
By Heshmat Alavi When it comes to Iran, the transition from the Obama administration to the Trump administration is a hopeful one. There is high hope the incoming administration will challenge Iran’s domestic policies, expansionism and support of terrorism, and its controversial nuclear … [Read more...] about Iran: What to do?
The Future Of Iran Following Rafsanjani’s Death
Originally published in Forbes By Heshmat Alavi The regime in Iran suffered a major setback after former president and figurehead Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani died of a heart attack on Sunday. He was 82. Following the 1979 revolution, Rafsanjani played an influential role in structuring the … [Read more...] about The Future Of Iran Following Rafsanjani’s Death
Iran in 2016: Exploiting Obama’s appeasement policy
By Shahriar Kia As we wind down the highly turbulent year of 2016, a look back at Iran’s record in these 12 months is quite necessary. And rest assured there is nothing to brag about. The approach Iran adopted domestically and abroad, especially following the nuclear deal, provides the necessary … [Read more...] about Iran in 2016: Exploiting Obama’s appeasement policy
How Iran Got Stuck in the Syria Quagmire
By Heshmat Alavi Iran, known for its unbridled sectarian meddling in Syria, Iraq, Yemen, and Lebanon, is currently facing an unwanted quagmire and dead-end in the Levant. We cannot limit Iran’s role and its meddling across the Middle East to 2016 alone. There is an ongoing war in the region, … [Read more...] about How Iran Got Stuck in the Syria Quagmire
Iran in Syria: Russia Took Over
It appears that Iran literally gained nothing from the Moscow conference, meaning that its participation was merely of a ceremonial nature. "The regime in Tehran is the source of crisis in the region and killings in Syria; it has played the greatest role in the expansion and continuation of ISIS. … [Read more...] about Iran in Syria: Russia Took Over
How Iran actually lost in Aleppo
Following a historic period of perseverance, Syrian rebels and their families were forced to evacuate eastern Aleppo after its liberation back in 2012. An unjust, intense war was launched upon Aleppo by Iran’s Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) and its proxy forces on the ground: Russia with its … [Read more...] about How Iran actually lost in Aleppo
Why did Iran publish images of their general Qasem Soleimani in Aleppo?
Heshmat Alavi Special to Al Arabiya English Sunday, 25 December 2016 Text size A A A Seeing images of Qasem Soleimani, commander of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards Quds Force, touring the ravaged city of Aleppo proves the utter failure of US President Barack Obama’s foreign policy vis-à-vis Iran. … [Read more...] about Why did Iran publish images of their general Qasem Soleimani in Aleppo?
Aleppo tragedy is a stark reminder of the price of Western neglect
The carnage in Aleppo is a much stronger reminder than we should have ever needed about the importance of a change in Western foreign policies. President Obama’s attempt to “reorient” U.S. foreign policy has in practice turned into the outright abandonment of the U.S. role in the Middle East. And … [Read more...] about Aleppo tragedy is a stark reminder of the price of Western neglect
Iran: Why the Mullahs Will Not Reform from Within
By Heshmat Alavi December 22, 2016 at 4:45 am Iran's entire power structure and most of its civil society is centralized under the personal control of the Supreme Leader. In this way, Iran's dictatorship is every bit as entrenched as North Korea's, making the idea of traditional regime change … [Read more...] about Iran: Why the Mullahs Will Not Reform from Within