By Heshmat Alavi The war in Syria has reached a major turning point. The Iran-Russia honeymoon is over, and Moscow is warming relations with Ankara. Reports indicate the two coordinated airstrikes targeting Daesh (ISIS/ISIL) and other terrorist groups. Such a turn of events has even been described … [Read more...] about Iran’s strategic defeat in Syria before Astana talks
MEK
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
Iran: Why “moderate” Rouhani can’t tolerate 2 motorcycling women
By Heshmat Alavi Two young women were arrested last week in Dezful, southwest Iran, for riding a motorcycle, according to a report wired by state-run IRNA news agency. As images went viral a social-media backlash was sparked against the ultra-conservative establishment ruling the country. But … [Read more...] about Iran: Why “moderate” Rouhani can’t tolerate 2 motorcycling women
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
Why Trump should work with the Iranian opposition
By AMIR BASIRI As President-elect Trump gets ready for office, he will be inheriting several foreign policy challenges from the outgoing Obama administration. One of the most complicated problems is Iran, a rogue state that is the leading state sponsor of terrorism and Islamic fundamentalism, a … [Read more...] about Why Trump should work with the Iranian opposition
Iran’s Middle East ambitions more dangerous than nuclear threat
By Shahriar Kia The Syrian people’s six-year uprising for freedom from decades of dictatorship in their country, now evolving into a regional war and global crisis, is proof of two undeniable facts: First, proving the international community’s inaction and a failed Western policy in the face of … [Read more...] about Iran’s Middle East ambitions more dangerous than nuclear threat
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
Iran: Women “Sold” Abroad
By Heshmat Alavi Reports of Iran’s executions across the country and involvement in horrific killings in Syria, parallel to billions in embezzlement and extortion, and senior officials stashing huge wealth, have every now and then covered the news headlines. However, an atrocious phenomenon has … [Read more...] about Iran: Women “Sold” Abroad
Iran after Rafsanjani
By Amir Basiri Dying at the age of 82 from a heart attack on Sunday, former Iranian president Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani had a long record of guiding the regime’s lethal measures domestically and abroad, including suicide bombings and eliminating exiled dissidents. Such an image is far from the … [Read more...] about Iran after Rafsanjani
IRAN SHIITE MILITIAS ENDANGERING FUTURE OF IRAQ
By Heshmat Alavi The regime continues on its path of death and destruction. A conglomerate of Iran-backed Shiite militias in Iraq, known as the Popular Mobilization Units (PMU), or more commonly by the Arabic label al-Hashd al-Shaabi, pose a very dire threat for the future of Iraq. This sectarian … [Read more...] about IRAN SHIITE MILITIAS ENDANGERING FUTURE OF IRAQ