By Heshmat Alavi Monday, 23 January 2017 With a new administration under Donald Trump taking the helm in Washington, Iran has shown its concerns by opposing any participation by the United States in upcoming Syrian peace talks scheduled for today in Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan. “We have … [Read more...] about Astana Talks: Why Iran and Russia differ on Syria?
Syria
Iran’s strategic defeat in Syria before Astana talks
By Heshmat Alavi The war in Syria has reached a major turning point. The Iran-Russia honeymoon is over, and Moscow is warming relations with Ankara. Reports indicate the two coordinated airstrikes targeting Daesh (ISIS/ISIL) and other terrorist groups. Such a turn of events has even been described … [Read more...] about Iran’s strategic defeat in Syria before Astana talks
Iran Has Changed, But For The Worse
By Heshmat Alavi The pro-Iran engagement policy camp long advocated how a nuclear agreement with Iran would lead to a slate of numerous changes sought in the regime, rendering benefits to go around for everyone. More than one year down this road, the world has witnessed many changes in Iran. … [Read more...] about Iran Has Changed, But For The Worse
The Iran opportunity before Donald Trump
By Heshmat Alavi Friday, 20 January 2017 After eight years of US President Barack Obama teaching seemingly unending lessons of Iran Appeasement 101, a new administration in Washington has the opportunity to right the many wrongs of this failed policy. Obama’s doctrine has allowed Iran to launch … [Read more...] about The Iran opportunity before Donald Trump
Iran’s Middle East ambitions more dangerous than nuclear threat
By Shahriar Kia The Syrian people’s six-year uprising for freedom from decades of dictatorship in their country, now evolving into a regional war and global crisis, is proof of two undeniable facts: First, proving the international community’s inaction and a failed Western policy in the face of … [Read more...] about Iran’s Middle East ambitions more dangerous than nuclear threat
Iran Threatens the Syria Ceasefire Effort
By Heshmat Alavi Following nearly six years of bloody warfare and an atrocious takeover of Aleppo by the Russia-Iran-Assad axis, the world has finally reached a relatively reliable settlement in this war-ravaged country. Unfortunately, Iran continues to pose a serious threat to this yet shaky and … [Read more...] about Iran Threatens the Syria Ceasefire Effort
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?
How Iran aides the Afghan Taliban under America’s nose
By Amir Basiri Iran’s Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) has been active amongst Taliban terrorists opposing the Afghan government, Radio France International website reported on Tuesday citing Farah Province officials in western Afghanistan. Farah Provincial Council Chair Jamile Amini has accused Iran of … [Read more...] about How Iran aides the Afghan Taliban under America’s nose
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
The main takeaway from Iran’s ‘grave sleepers’ phenomenon
By Shahriar Kia Iran, and the entire world for that matter, was shocked and appalled over images of homeless Iranians resorting to sleeping -- and even living -- in pre-dug graves to escape freezing winter cold conditions. As mainstream media correctly covered this previously unknown aspect of life … [Read more...] about The main takeaway from Iran’s ‘grave sleepers’ phenomenon