Iran Archives - Page 22 of 79 - Foreign Policy In Focus

State of the Union’s Foreign Policy: Unilateral Triumphalism

by John Feffer | Jan 25, 2012

Obama returned to his perceived strong suit in the end to discuss how the United States must operate from a position of strength. Unfortunately, he was talking about the strength of the U.S. military. The United States should indeed set an example: of wise diplomacy, global economic equity, and sensible budget priorities at home. Perhaps the next State of the Union can begin on a note of international cooperation instead of unilateral triumphalism.

An Alternative to War with Iran

by Richard Silverstein | Jan 25, 2012

Relations between Iran and the West, fraught with tension and conflict for decades, have in the past few months reached a fever pitch. There is talk of war on a daily basis from both sides. Hundreds of millions, if not billions, have been spent both to fuel the Iranian missile and nuclear program and the counter-measures taken by the West to frustrate it. Leaders on both sides have worked themselves into paroxysms of rage regarding the alleged homicidal intensions of the other side.

What Country Most Resembles Iran in Its Power Structure?

by Russ Wellen | Jan 23, 2012

Negotiating with Iran, as with the United States, requires talking to it on many levels.

Supporting Assad Shreds Iran’s Credibility With Radical Islam

by Russ Wellen | Jan 17, 2012

If the Islamic Revolution still means anything, Tehran betrays it by supporting Syria’s Assad regime.

My Day With a Real Thrill Kill Cult: the MEK

by Scott Charney | Jan 13, 2012

The Mujahideen-e Khalq’s Paris-based leadership is reluctantly cooperating with a U.N. plan to resettle its endangered members in an Iraq refugee camp.

Cyber War: Reality or Hype?

by Conn Hallinan | Jan 11, 2012

During his confirmation hearings this past June, U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta warned the Senate, “The next Pearl Harbor we confront could very well be a cyber attack that cripples our grid, our security systems, our financial systems, our governmental systems.” The use of Pearl Harbor provided powerful imagery: a mighty fleet reduced to smoking ruin, an expansionist Asian power at the nation’s doorstep.

The Apocalyptics

by John Feffer | Jan 10, 2012

They’re like a heavy metal band. Dress them up in black, put some Goth makeup on them, give them a name like The Apocalyptics, and they’d fit right in with the head-banger crowd. After all, it’s mostly doom and gloom with the Republican candidates, particularly when they start in on foreign policy. The lead singer for a while, Michele Bachmann, loved to croon about the world entering its final days. Bass player Rick Perry has rapped about the threat of Islamic terrorists surging up from Mexico. Lead guitarists Mitt Romney and Newt Gingrich have done a duet about going to war with Iran. And in the rhythm section, Rick Santorum, who definitely prefers sticks to carrots, has kept up a steady drumbeat for war with all comers, including China.

When Diplomacy With Iran Was Not Only Legal, But Painless

by Russ Wellen | Jan 7, 2012

The Iran Threat Reduction Act’s provision for outlawing diplomacy with Iran could explode in our faces in the event of incident in the Persian Gulf.

The Only “Existential Threat” to Israel Is Its Own Irrationality

by Paul Mutter | Jan 5, 2012

The literal use of the term existential when applied to Iran does a disservice to the philosophy which it invokes.

Postcard from . . . DC: Myth of Iran Support for al-Qaeda Just Won’t Die

by Paul Mutter | Jan 3, 2012

Iran war hawks are still trying to establish that Iran was complicit with al-Qaeda in the attacks of 9/11. Paul Mutter at the Foreign Policy in Focus blog Focal Points.