Roger Cohen on Exceptionalism; How Iran Could Learn a Thing or Two from Israel
In the New York Times yesterday, Roger Cohen published a thoughtful op-ed piece that examines Israel’s belief in its own exceptionalism. Far from being anti-Israeli, Cohen presents an assessment of the problems of Israeli exceptionalism and offers a way forward. In his article, Cohen focuses almost entirely on Israel; however, it is not just Israel […]
House Committee to Consider Gas Embargo
Interesting timing of this Committee hearing announcement. Chairman Howard Berman has decided not to wait for the outcome of next week’s meeting between the P5+1 and Iran in Vienna. Nor will he wait to see if Iran lives up to its promise to allow IAEA inspectors at the Qom nuclear facility by the October 25 […]
The Pentagon’s Plan B
Supporters of a diplomatic solution to Iran’s nuclear program may be worried by a recent Associated Press article that states the Pentagon is “speeding up” production of a new behemoth bomb. Boeing was recently awarded a contract to construct a 30,000 pound “massive ordinance penetrator,” which can be dropped from a stealth bomber and carries […]
Leave the NIE Alone
The Wall Street Journal published an opinion piece today that criticizes continued reliance on the U.S. Intelligence Community’s National Intelligence Estimate (NIE) of 2007, which stated that in 2003 Iran suspended its nuclear weapons program. The article’s author points out that the NIE defined “nuclear weapons program…[as] weapon design and weaponization work and . . […]
Majority of Americans Favor Military Strike on Iran
The Pew Research Center has released the results of a study of American opinions about Iran’s nuclear program and sanctions. The study found that 78% of Americans are in favor of tougher sanctions on Iran. However, the study also reported that 56% of people believe that harsher sanctions would not work. More worrying is that […]
Hugo Chavez is NOT HELPING
This, from the Guardian: Telling somewhat less than tasteful jokes about weapons of mass destruction has been an occasional pastime of a number of senior US Republican politicians. George W Bush, at a 2004 press dinner, showed a series of photos of him searching the Oval Office while telling guests: “No they’re not here”. Ronald […]
Walking and Chewing Gum at the Same Time
Somehow, despite three decades of fumbling, US Iran policy is striking a surprisingly resonant tone these days, balancing the need to engage with Iran on the nuclear issue while also maintaining pressure on the human rights front. Spencer Ackerman notes Secretary of State Clinton’s forum last night at George Washington University: Secretary of State Hillary […]
Congressional Miscalculations and Sa’adi’s advice
Yesterday a bill sanctioning companies that supply fuel to Iran was approved by the U.S. House of Representatives. The bill was sponsored by two U.S. Senators. In a joint statement Senators Jon Kyl (R-AZ) and Susan Collins (R-ME) said, Time is running out for Iran to give up its illegal nuclear weapons program…This provision sends […]
A cursory look at the balance sheet after yesterday’s Geneva talks
After one day’s meeting, a mere seven and a half hours long, the world woke up today to reports of “surprisingly productive” talks between Iran and the P5+1 yesterday in Geneva. Let’s take a very brief look at what’s come out so far: No breakdown: The absolute bare minimum of success yesterday was the absence […]
Mehr News: Next Round of Talks Late October (UPDATED)
Mehr News has published a report from “an informed source” saying taht the P5+1 and Iran have agreed to hold the next round of talks: The six countries and Iran have reached an agreement to continue the talks held today. According to Mehr reporting, an informed source close to the Geneva negotiations says: “The participants […]
“IAEA: Iran broke law by not revealing nuclear facility”
In a statement made to CNN-IBN, Mohamed El Baradei said of the recently revealed nuclear facility in Iran near Qom: “Iran was supposed to inform us on the day it was decided to construct the facility. They have not done that. They are saying that this was meant to be a back-up facility in case […]
Iran scheduling timeline for inspections at Qom site
Before even sitting down for talks with the P5+1 on Thursday, Iran is reportedly planning to allow IAEA inspections at the newly-revealed enrichment facility near Qom. From PressTV: Iran says it will soon inform the International Atomic Energy Agency of a timetable for inspection of its recently-announced nuclear facility. Head of Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization […]