Iran

Ann Arbor (Informed Comment) – It is no surprise that Iran should be supporting the Venezuelan government of Maduro, given that both typically take anti-imperialist stands. What is astonishing is that NATO member Turkey has piled on the criticism, along with the Turkish press. It is s sign of US-Turkish relations being at their nadir. […]

Iran

Facebook takes Down Vast Iran-Led Manipulation Campaign

Glenn Chapman

San Francisco (AFP) – Facebook said Thursday it took down hundreds of accounts from Iran that were part of a vast manipulation campaign operating in more than 20 countries. The world’s biggest social network said it removed 783 pages, groups and accounts “for engaging in coordinated inauthentic behavior tied to Iran.” The pages were part […]

Donald Trump

Could Trump Really Launch a War With Iran?

Conn M. Hallinan

(Foreign Policy in Focus) – It’s unpopular at home and abroad, and regional politics don’t favor it. But we should take neocons like Bolton at their word. Keeping track of the Trump administration’s foreign policy is like trying to track a cat on a hot tin roof: We’re pulling out of Syria (not right away). […]

European Union

Europe declares independence of Trump, Creates Channel for Iran Trade

Juan Cole

Ann Arbor (Informed Comment) – In what French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian called “an important geo-political gesture,” France, Germany and the UK have swung into action with the backing of the European Union to set up a mechanism, called Instex, which will permit European firms and banks to continue to trade with Iran without […]

Featured

Trump Explodes at CIA over Iran: “Naive and Passive,” “Go Back to School!”

Juan Cole

Ann Arbor (Informed Comment) – Our great leader has delivered himself of some weighty pronouncements about Iran, about which he knows not a single little thing, likely even where exactly it is. He called the US intelligence agencies “passive and naive” on Iran, said that Tehran had become less active since Trump violated the 2015 […]

Iran

40 Years on, is Iran a Status Quo Power or a Threat to ME Regional Security?

Ali Abootalebi

(Informed Comment) – The US-Iranian relations remain conflictual forty years after the revolution and with an uncertain future. The US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s announcement that Poland will host an international conference on Iran in February has angered Iranian officials, prompting foreign minister Javad Zarif’s tweeting the upcoming summit as America’s anti-Iran “circus.” Secretary […]

Iran

Syria and Iran Sign Strategic Economic Plan, including Tartus Naval Base

AFP

Damascus (AFP) – Syria and Iran signed 11 agreements and memoranda of understanding late Monday, including a “long-term strategic economic cooperation” deal aimed at strengthening cooperation between Damascus and one of its key allies in the civil war that has torn the country apart. The agreements covered a range of fields including economy, culture, education, […]

Featured

Trump’s anti-Iran Warsaw Conference Collapsing, as Russia says Iran should have been Invited

Juan Cole

Ann Arbor (Informed Comment) – A couple of weeks ago, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced a conference on security in the Middle East for February 13-14. Although the theme seemed general, the conclave was clearly intended by Pompeo, Saudi Arabia, and Israel to direct hate against Iran. Poland issued 70 invitations to the countries […]

Iran

Iran steals Trump’s Thunder: ‘We defeated ISIL & We’ll Rebuild Iraq’

AFP

Karbala (AFP) – Iranian firms should have a key role in rebuilding Iraq after the fight against the Islamic State group, Tehran’s top diplomat said Wednesday in a rare meeting with Iraqi paramilitary units. Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif spoke in Iraq’s holy city of Karbala to commanders of the Hashed al-Shaabi, which is dominated […]