One year into the highly boasted Iran nuclear deal, the work of the Obama administration dubbed the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), the world witnessed how Iran returned the favor. Tehran continued to cause havoc across Syria with a conglomerate of Shiite militias rampaging and … [Read more...] about Donald Trump’s Possible Iran-To-Do List
Barack Obama
How Team Trump Can Counter Obama’s Iran Legacy
By Heshmat Alavi If the Iran nuclear deal — crafted and profoundly advocated by former US President Barack Obama — was meant to mature the mullahs, it failed miserably. With a new administration under President Donald Trump taking the helm in Washington, Iran is acting in ways never intended as a … [Read more...] about How Team Trump Can Counter Obama’s Iran Legacy
Appeasement of Iran Must End
By Shahriar Kia A tumultuous year lies ahead. With a new administration taking the helm in Washington, the French elections upcoming, then the sham “elections” in Iran, and unprecedented developments in the making in the Middle East and on the international stage. 2017 has begun with enormous … [Read more...] about Appeasement of Iran Must End
What Is Iran’s Policy-Making Mechanism?
By Heshmat Alavi As we close in to the Iran presidential election -- read "selection" -- a more precise look at the policymaking mechanisms at work in this very peculiar theocratic system is necessary. The regime in Iran, with Hassan Rouhani as its president, has been eager to portray an image of … [Read more...] about What Is Iran’s Policy-Making Mechanism?
What to learn from Iran’s unconventional naval tactics
Tehran took advantage of Obama’s appeasement to increase its Middle East influence. An alternative is available, and it’s not war. Once again Iran resorted to its desperate and unprofessional tactic of dispatching fast-attack boats in the Persian Gulf to harass U.S. Navy ships, this time leading … [Read more...] about What to learn from Iran’s unconventional naval tactics
Astana Talks: Why Iran and Russia differ on Syria?
By Heshmat Alavi Monday, 23 January 2017 With a new administration under Donald Trump taking the helm in Washington, Iran has shown its concerns by opposing any participation by the United States in upcoming Syrian peace talks scheduled for today in Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan. “We have … [Read more...] about Astana Talks: Why Iran and Russia differ on Syria?
Iran Has Changed, But For The Worse
By Heshmat Alavi The pro-Iran engagement policy camp long advocated how a nuclear agreement with Iran would lead to a slate of numerous changes sought in the regime, rendering benefits to go around for everyone. More than one year down this road, the world has witnessed many changes in Iran. … [Read more...] about Iran Has Changed, But For The Worse
The Iran opportunity before Donald Trump
By Heshmat Alavi Friday, 20 January 2017 After eight years of US President Barack Obama teaching seemingly unending lessons of Iran Appeasement 101, a new administration in Washington has the opportunity to right the many wrongs of this failed policy. Obama’s doctrine has allowed Iran to launch … [Read more...] about The Iran opportunity before Donald Trump
Time to end the Iran “reformist-moderate” hoax
By Heshmat Alavi Eight years of Barack Obama’s tenure has come to an end. We are also winding down on the first, and maybe last, term of Iranian President Hassan Rouhani. This should mark the long overdue end of the U.S.-Iran appeasement doctrine, based on a mirage of “reformists” and/or … [Read more...] about Time to end the Iran “reformist-moderate” hoax
Iran Threatens the Syria Ceasefire Effort
By Heshmat Alavi Following nearly six years of bloody warfare and an atrocious takeover of Aleppo by the Russia-Iran-Assad axis, the world has finally reached a relatively reliable settlement in this war-ravaged country. Unfortunately, Iran continues to pose a serious threat to this yet shaky and … [Read more...] about Iran Threatens the Syria Ceasefire Effort