By Heshmat Alavi If the Iran nuclear deal — crafted and profoundly advocated by former US President Barack Obama — was meant to mature the mullahs, it failed miserably. With a new administration under President Donald Trump taking the helm in Washington, Iran is acting in ways never intended as a … [Read more...] about How Team Trump Can Counter Obama’s Iran Legacy
Tehran
What Is Iran’s Policy-Making Mechanism?
By Heshmat Alavi As we close in to the Iran presidential election -- read "selection" -- a more precise look at the policymaking mechanisms at work in this very peculiar theocratic system is necessary. The regime in Iran, with Hassan Rouhani as its president, has been eager to portray an image of … [Read more...] about What Is Iran’s Policy-Making Mechanism?
Astana Talks: Why Iran and Russia differ on Syria?
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?
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
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 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: Rouhani, Mattis & more crackdown reports
Rouhani talks the talk, but doesn’t walk the walk Iranian regime president Hassan Rouhani made a number of remarks on Thursday, December 1st, shedding light on the mullahs’ deceptive nature. “… there is a lot of talking, without any serious meaning. We must fix the sewage system. We must fix the … [Read more...] about Iran: Rouhani, Mattis & more crackdown reports
Iran continuously violates UNSC Resolution in launching nuclear-capable missiles
Remarks made recently by a senior military advisor of Iranian supreme leader Ali Khamenei sheds light on how Tehran continues to violate a United Nations Security Council resolution banning such measures for Iran. “His excellency (Khamenei) approved the ‘Emad’ missile launching. No rockets are … [Read more...] about Iran continuously violates UNSC Resolution in launching nuclear-capable missiles
Iran increasing meddling in Iraq, planning long term
A conglomerate of different forces are involved in the battle aimed at retaking the Daesh (ISIS/ISIL) stronghold of Mosul in northern Iraq. A variety of Iraqi security forces, Peshmerga fighters from the Kurdistan region, Sunni Arab tribal fighters and the notorious Iran-backed Shiite militia … [Read more...] about Iran increasing meddling in Iraq, planning long term