Ahmadinejad’s little helpers
cross posted from HuffingtonPost: Tehran is a happening place this week. Major US papers report of street rallies and parties, shouting matches between supporters of rival candidates and a general carnival atmosphere. Of course, many are only taking advantage of freedoms that solely descend on Iran days before presidential elections. This is the time to […]
House committee passes Iran divestment bill
The House Financial Services Committee just unanimously approved by voice vote H.R. 1327, the Iran Sanctions Enabling Act of 2009. The bill authorizes state and local governments to divest public funds from companies doing business in Iran. NIAC President Trita Parsi testified before a Financial Services Subcommittee last month, urging Congress to put the divestment […]
Sweet ideas over at bitterlemons
Go check out Trita’s contribution to this week’s bitterlemons round-table on the Middle East: Why diplomacy and sanctions don’t mix. In negotiations, you can only get something by giving something. Indeed, it’s not the threat or imposition of new sanctions that will change Iranian behavior, but rather the offer to lift existing sanctions. Herein lies […]