The “Come to Jesus” Moment in US-Iran Relations
If the assassination allegations are true, this deplorable act should be strongly condemned. To that end, the Beltway is already buzzing with calls for a “robust response” that will “send a strong message to Iran.” But how?
On Iran, Turn Rhetoric Into Results
Iran’s chief nuclear negotiator, Saeed Jalili, has sent another letter to the Permanent members of the UN Security Council plus Germany (P5+1) lead negotiator, Catherine Ashton, requesting fresh talks to bridge the longstanding divide.
Diplomats — Not Just Journalists — Should Raise Human Rights With Ahmadinejad – Huffington Post
Like any diplomatic effort, multi-level strategies – bilateral and unilateral — maximize the chances for success. A more practical, real-world focus on human rights in Iran can include bilateral discussions on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.
The Iran Sanctions Fallacy
NIAC’s Research Director, Reza Marashi, takes on “the Iran sanctions fallacy” in Al Jazeera English. Marashi analyzes the effects of international sanctions that have exacerbated the pain of the middle class struggling with high levels of unemployment.
Iran: The Next Generation
For several weeks now, observers and analysts of Iran have been referring to an emerging rift between the Iranian president and the country’s Supreme Leader. The recent back-and-forth between Ahmadinejad and Khamenei reflects a deeper generational shift.
Why sanctions against Iran won’t work
For decision-makers in Tehran, the heart of the matter is how they perceive that the West will (and will not) react to its foreign policy posturing in general and the nuclear question in particular. The Iranian narrative can be summarized as follows: Former President Mohammad Khatami’s détente failed, so Iran must now deal with the West from a position of strength.
The Geopolitical Battle for the Arab Street
NIAC’s Reza Marashi and Trita Parsi examine the growing rivalry between America-Israel-Saudi Arabia, Iran, and Turkey for dominance on the Arab Street in Cairo Review of Global Affairs
Reuters: Iranians surf shark-infested, state-controlled web
Reuters quotes NIAC’s Reza Marashi about the Iranian government’s efforts to “quarantine” its population from the global Internet.
The Islamic Republic’s Emerging Cyber War
While foreign-inspired virus attacks command the attention of policymakers and pundits in the West, the Islamic Republic’s long-term cyber war strategy is slowly succeeding.
Subsidy Reform & Regime Resilience in Iran
Traditional rules dictate that all politics is local. As such, most politicians seek to produce periods of stability or popularity before enacting controversial policies. Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has consistently bucked tradition (and long-standing political red lines) in the Islamic Republic, instead making himself a force to be reckoned with on the basis of his audacity and unwillingness to be sidelined. The most recent example of Ahmadinejad’s assertiveness can be seen in Iran’s landmark subsidy reform plan.
Iran Raises The Stakes: The Istanbul Talks & Iran’s Political Psychology
The political psychology of talks with the P5+1and fluid facts on the ground throughout the region hardened Iran’s stance during talks in Istanbul.
The Heavy Costs of War with Iran
Political memory in the United States can be remarkably short. At the end of the Bush administration and throughout the 2008 presidential campaign, it became clear that the majority of Americans wanted U.S. domestic and foreign policies to change for the better.