Statement on President Joe Biden Stepping Down
Joe Biden’s decision to withdraw from the 2024 Presidential race is a noble one, putting American democracy ahead of his personal ambitions and pride. The choices for our country right now are stark and it is imperative that Americans have the opportunity to choose a leader who will protect democracy and civil rights at home and work for peace abroad.
Rouhani Raises Hopes for Diplomacy at First News Conference as President
By Samira Damavandi and Caroline Cohn At his first press conference as Iran’s new president, Hassan Rouhani indicated his willingness to reengage in diplomatic talks with the West, raising hopes for finding a solution to the current standoff over Iran’s nuclear program. Rouhani replaced outgoing President Ahmadinejad, whose bellicose anti-U.S. and anti-Israel rhetoric only exacerbated […]
When a Shark Stirs the Water for Iran’s Presidential Hopefuls
With the Guardian Council set to announce the final list of Iranian presidential candidates on Tuesday, after vetting a staggering amount of hopefuls (686 to be exact), a few contenders have been making some prominent headway. Prior to the registration deadline it seemed as if many Iranian voters were going to sit out these elections […]
Blocking Iran talks is rerun of Iraq failure
This past weekend, with news that the U.S. and Iran may be planning direct talks soon to address the nuclear standoff, there were swift reactions by some to try to kill the initiative. Israeli Ambassador Michael Oren warned that Iran should not be “rewarded” with direct talks, and Senator Lindsey Graham–who has pledged the U.S. […]
Iran News Roundup 01/04
Daylight between Romney and Santorum on war with Iran? GOP candidate Mitt Romney, responding to Rick Santorum’s rhetoric regarding strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities, said that he does not want to threaten any “specific action right now,” in regards to Iran, but endorses military options (Think Progress 01/03). Santorum has said he would order airstrikes on […]
Iran News Roundup 12/16
GOP candidates get fact checked for Iran claims at debate Michelle Bachmann made the claim that the IAEA report proves that “Iran is within just months of being able to obtain that [nuclear] weapon.” Fact checks from CNN, The Washington Post, and the New York Times said Bachmann got it wrong. Mitt Romney accused President Obama of having said “pretty […]
Iran News Roundup 12/15
Broad Iran sanctions approved by the House The House of Representatives approved central bank sanctions on Iran as part of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The bill is expected to pass the Senate and be sent to the President by the end of the week (Newsweek 12/15). The House also approved two standalone Iran […]
Iran News Roundup 12/14
How covert operations can spiral out of control Barry Lando writes on the dangers of increasing covert operations against Iran. “Predictably, aggressive acts will provoke retaliation from Iran — a situation, which, in the context of America’s superheated presidential primaries, could spiral dangerously out of control. Which is just what militants in Tehran, Jerusalem, and […]
Iran News Roundup 12/9
The Daily Show With Jon Stewart Mon – Thurs 11p / 10c Game of Drones www.thedailyshow.com Daily Show Full Episodes Political Humor & Satire Blog The Daily Show on Facebook Drone update The Washington Post reports that a video of the drone that went down earlier this week aired on Iranian state television. Officials deny […]
Iran News Roundup 12/8
Presidential candidates continue war rhetoric Republican presidential candidates continued their war rhetoric towards Iran on Wednesday (Reuters 12/7). Front running candidate Mitt Romney said that “covert and overt” actions are needed to pressure Iran. Candidate Jon Huntsman added that “you have to have all options on the table.” Presidential hopeful Michelle Bachman said “the Pentagon […]
Iran News Roundup 11/17
Top Story Action on Iran at the UN: With the IAEA Board of Governors meeting today, the Washington Post is reporting that China and Russia have agreed to sign on to a resolution condemning Iran, over the IAEA’s most recent report that will not include the harsher language that the U.S. had sought (Washington Post 11/17). […]
Iran News Roundup 11/14
GOP candidates talk Iran at Saturday’s CBS/National Journal debate The first question posed to the candidates was on their willingness to launch military strikes against Iran. Romney, Gingrich called Obama’s Iran policy a failure and expressed support for using military strikes and covert actions against Iran. Santorum called for the U.S. to work with Israel […]