By AMIR BASIRI • 12/20/16 In his year-end press conference, President Obama reflected on the tragedy that has befallen Aleppo, Syria, where Iranian-backed militias and Russian warplanes helped Syrian dictator Bashar Assad reclaim the city and conduct a crime against humanity rivaling Rwanda and … [Read more...] about How Obama’s Iranian nuclear deal enabled tragedy in Aleppo
Foreign Policy
Time for a principled approach on Iran
By Heshmat Alavi - December 21, 2016 The time has come to reassess, readdress, and readjust the course of action in Western foreign policy in respect with Iran. Last year’s nuclear deal between the international community and Iran, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), has … [Read more...] about Time for a principled approach on Iran
What is Iran’s ‘national treasure’ in Iraq?
Heshmat Alavi, Special to Al Arabiya English Monday, 19 December 2016 Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei recently described Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Units (PMU), a conglomerate of extremist Shiite militia groups, as the country’s “national treasure.” This entire entity is believed to be … [Read more...] about What is Iran’s ‘national treasure’ in Iraq?
Latest news from Aleppo, Syria
Lina Shami from Aleppo: Iran militias executed four Aleppo men Continuing her reports from Aleppo, activist Lina Shami recently said elements of Iran on the ground have executed four men from Aleppo. “Iran has violated all agreements. Its elements, including the Lebanese Hezbollah, directed a … [Read more...] about Latest news from Aleppo, Syria
WHAT CAN BE DONE TO SAVE THE SYRIAN REBELS?
The fall of Aleppo will go down in history as the shame of global policymakers. BY GIULIO MARIA TERZI ON 12/15/16 AT 5:39 PM With the city of Aleppo now almost completely overrun by forces loyal to Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad, social media has made the carnage obvious. Western politicians … [Read more...] about WHAT CAN BE DONE TO SAVE THE SYRIAN REBELS?
Iran’s Use Of Extremism To Gain Political Leverage Must Be Confronted
Ever since day one in 2011 when war erupted in Syria Iran has been dispatching tens of thousands of troops to shore the Syrian military. These efforts were parallel to Iran’s decades of support for Shiite extremist groups such as the likes of the Lebanese Hezbollah, a conglomerate of others in Iraq … [Read more...] about Iran’s Use Of Extremism To Gain Political Leverage Must Be Confronted
The Secrets of Saberin, Iran’s Elite Commando Unit Operating in Syria and Iraq
In 2001, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) established a special unit consisting of handpicked members of the IRGC’s land, sea, and air forces. Dubbed the Saberin Unit, its members were described as volunteers “seeking martyrdom,” tasked to carry out special missions and/or widespread … [Read more...] about The Secrets of Saberin, Iran’s Elite Commando Unit Operating in Syria and Iraq
Trump and Iran’s Achilles Heel(s)
Any entity in this world has its strong points, and its weaknesses. And there is a certain weakness, known as the Achilles Heel, which leads to a disastrous outcome. The regime in Iran, after nearly 38 years in power, has based its entire existence and survival on two pillars of domestic crackdown … [Read more...] about Trump and Iran’s Achilles Heel(s)
Who is the new commander of Iran’s paramilitary Basij forces?
By Heshmat Alavi Special to Al Arabiya English Tuesday, 13 December 2016 Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei appointed Brigadier General Gholamhossein Gheibparvar as the new commander of the paramilitary Basij, a voluntary militia force operating under the Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) and tasked … [Read more...] about Who is the new commander of Iran’s paramilitary Basij forces?
As Congress adjusts to Trump, Iran put under the pressure it deserves
By Heshmat Alavi Maybe the single subject Democrats and Republicans can truly agree on in Washington, today and maybe for a long time to come, will be upgrading sanctions on Iran. President-elect Donald Trump is also expected to place his support behind this initiative, too. … [Read more...] about As Congress adjusts to Trump, Iran put under the pressure it deserves