Iran

This guest article is written by contributor Andrew C. Katen, a freelance foreign affairs writer and geopolitical analyst.

The Israeli incursion in Gaza reflects growing uncertainty among Middle Eastern regimes regarding the futures of their political parties, and may also represent an escalation in the battle for control of the region by outside powers. Media [...]

One has to have sympathy for the people of Iraq. They have been oppressed under Hussein’s rule, have been occupied under US control and now appear to be moving to be pawns in Iran’s burgeoning empire. Prime Minister Malki seems eager to heed the advice that Iran wants to provide. It makes one wonder [...]

The Israeli ground offensive is now well underway, Hezbollah despite the rhetoric and threats of retaliation has not responded, and Hamas is left to its own devices in the Gaza. It raises the question of what is the future of Hamas? Various Israeli representatives, including the Israeli Ambassador to the UN, have gone a [...]

  Israel is facing mounting pressure from many in regards to its incursion into the Gaza. Jordan, Fatah, Turkey and Egypt have all upped the level of rhetoric and outrage at the ground attacks and the increasing number of civilians wounded or killed. But Israel faces a more heady cocktail of diplomatic intervention and posturing [...]

Iraq continues to move closer and closer in its partnership with Iran as US control wanes in the country. Iraq’s prime Minister just sent a clear message to Washington (also for the benefit of Israel) that Iraqis will not allow Iraq to be used as a logistical base for attacks on Iran. While the [...]

Israel has made a serious error in policy that may well cost them heavily in the years to come. It is a case of arrogance before a fall.  With its attacks on the Gaza, Israel may have well put its cause back 20 years, and inadvertently pushed Iran  towards Arab superpower status. Prior to the [...]

We have been reporting on how Iran may well direct the Arab reaction to the Israeli attacks on the Gaza, and now it appears Syria and Iran are together orchestrating the response. Both Iran and Syria are actively involved in dialog and supplying Hezbollah. Israel needs to be keeping at least one eye on [...]

As dangerous a man as Ahmadinejad is, and as troublesome the regime he represents appears, one has to have a sneaking admiration for the sheer chutzpah of the man.  After earlier claiming US complicity in the Mumbai terror attacks as part of its objective to destabilize the Indian economy, Ahmadinejad has put himself  forward as [...]

The US war in Iraq has subtly, but crucially, shifted the balance of power in the Middle East. The ramifications are still playing out, can be seen at work in the Israeli attacks on the Gaza, and may be the single most important policy bungle that costs the West in the coming years. President Bush was, always and [...]

Iranian media is reporting that Iran has put its air force onto high alert in wake of the Israeli attack on the Gaza. The Iranian air force has flown over 120 simulation sorties over the last few days in preparation for any potential attack. Some hawkish Iranian commentators have also begun talking about an Arab [...]

  In one of the more bizarre reports we have seen on the Gaza attacks, Iran is setting up a court to try Israel in absentia under the 1948 UN convention on Genocide. This is a rather outlandish move, and one we are sure the Israelis will not be taking too seriously. Reuters has the story:
“Iran [...]

For the last few weeks The Daily Clarity has been hearing rumors of a probable face-to-face crisis meeting between Iran and the new US Administration, but today a credible source has leaked that the meeting is likely to occur. If it happens, it will be in February 2009 at the Security Conference to be held in [...]

Iran’s Press TV, quotes Iranian officials as saying they would welcome negotiations with the incoming Obama Administration. The same sources however say that such negotiations will not include any potential for Iran stopping its nuclear programs.
“Iran announces its readiness to talk with the US amid stepped up Israeli efforts to delay high-level discussions between [...]

  The Israeli government’s focus seems to be firmly centered on the potential for domestic violence emanating from Hamas in the Gaza Strip, and the worrisome nuclear programs in Iran. While Israel may be focusing on the close to home issues, there is a much more dangerous threat to Israel’s security, and that threat is [...]

Israel may be attempting to block, or at a minimum delay, the incoming Obama Administration from engaging in diplomatic discussions with Tehran. According to the English language Iranian news channel, Press TV, many in the Israeli government and the pro-Israel lobby groups, see a danger in these negotiations, particularly before the Iranian election.
“Israel has [...]