On the Evolving Civil War in Iran

Jun 22, 2009 - by Andy Martin Executive Editor ContrarianCommentary.com "Factually Correct, Not Politically Correct" Andy Martin breaches a taboo by becoming the first analyst to call the conflict in Iran a "civil war"` America's most experienced independent foreign policy and intelligence analyst predicts the destabilization of the entire region. Martin says President Obama is helpless to act. (PALM BEACH)(June 21, 2009) As I wrote on June 15th, the most terrifying night of my life was spent in the middle of a riot in Iran thirty years ago. - 5 Comments

The Return of Weakness, President Obama means well. Iran doesn't.

Mar 31, 2009 - The Return of Weakness President Obama means well. Iran doesn't. by Reuel Marc Gerecht In diplomacy and espionage, there is no worse mistake than "mirror-imaging," that is, ascribing to foreigners your own actions and views. - 4 Comments

Jackson Story Could Help Iran Crackdown

Jun 26, 2009 - Mark Sanford isn't the only person relishing the King of Pop's demise—national security experts are warning that his death could distract from Iran's increasing crackdown on democracy. The jokes popped up almost immediately that Mark Sanford was the luckiest guy on Earth after word broke that Michael Jackson had suffered a heart attack. But the notion that Jackson's death, which preempted virtually all other news coverage on the cable networks last night, is sucking up media attention from other matters carries a dark edge to it as well. - 8 Comments

American Hikers are Detained by Iran

Aug 03, 2009 - Swiss push for meeting with U.S. hikers detained in Iran (CNN) -- Swiss diplomats are trying to meet with three American hikers being held in Iran, the Swiss Embassy in Tehran said Monday. The embassy would not say whether Iranian authorities had responded to their request or if diplomats had met the Americans. - 21 Comments

Iran frees US journalist

May 11, 2009 - Mon May 11, 2009 12:56pm EDT By Fredrik Dahl and Hossein Jaseb TEHRAN (Reuters) - U.S.-born journalist Roxana Saberi walked free Monday after an Iranian appeals court cut her eight-year jail sentence for spying to a suspended two-year term. Her release resolved a case that had further strained U.S.-Iranian relations, at a time when U.S. President Barack Obama is seeking to reach out to Tehran after three decades of mutual mistrust. - 19 Comments

We're All Neocons Now Obama's timidity on Iran leaves him increasingly isolated

Jun 18, 2009 - We're All Neocons Now Obama's timidity on Iran leaves him increasingly isolated By JAMES TARANTO (Wall Street Danger) Each day President Obama's blasé business-as-usual attitude toward Iran seems more out of touch with reality. Today's New York Times reports that the president "is coming under increased pressure from Republicans and other conservatives who say he should take a more visible stance in support of the protesters." But if you read on, it turns out "Republicans and other conservatives" are far from the only ones bothered by Obama's what-me-worry policy: Even while supporting the president's approach, senior members of the administration, including Vice President Joseph R. - 1 Comment

Iran supreme leader orders probe of election fraud

Jun 15, 2009 - Iran supreme leader orders probe of election fraud By ANNA JOHNSON and ALI AKBAR DAREINI TEHRAN, Iran – Iran's supreme leader ordered Monday an investigation into allegations of election fraud, marking a stunning turnaround by the country's most powerful figure and offering hope to opposition forces who have waged street clashes to protest the re-election of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. State television quoted Ayatollah Ali Khamenei directing a high-level clerical panel, the Guardian Council, to look into charges by pro-reform candidate Mir Hossein Mousavi, who has said he is the rightful winner of Friday's presidential election. The decision comes after Mousavi wrote a letter appealing to the Guardian Council and met Sunday with Khamenei, who holds almost limitless power over Iranian affairs. - 3 Comments

Obama Is No Reagan: The Polish Lesson Ignored in Iran

Jun 18, 2009 - Obama Is No Reagan: The Polish Lesson Ignored in Iran By Jeffrey Lord Barack Obama is no Ronald Reagan. One need look no further than President Obama's cautiously timid response to the demands of freedom from Iranians. Contrast this with Reagan's response to similar demands from Poles in the 1980s and the miserable inadequacy of the Obama foreign policy is thrust into a stark and shameful relief. - 0 Comments

Iran Tells Rights Group to Stay Out of Saberi Case

May 04, 2009 - Iran has told international rights groups to stop interfering in the country's judicial matters by protesting against the imprisonment of U.S.-Iranian journalist Roxana Saberi for spying. Four U.S. members of Reporters Without Borders started a hunger strike on May 3 outside the UN headquarters in New York to press for the release of Saberi, whose father says she has been on hunger strike since April 21. - 1 Comment

Britain Demands Iran Free Its Embassy Staff

Jun 28, 2009 - The European Union has demanded the immediate release of Iranian staff at Britain's embassy in Tehran detained on Saturday over post-election unrest. EU ministers meeting in Greece warned that "harassment or intimidation" of embassy staff would be met with a "strong and collective" response. Iranian media reported that eight local staff at the UK mission had been held for their role in the recent riots. - 0 Comments