Today the NY times published the link to the much-anticipated non-partisan review report on the conduct of US CIA and other secret service personnel and installations including Guantanamo, after 9/11. The nearly two years of interviews, research and on-site visits… Read More ›
Afghanistan and Iran 
Mining Boom in Afghanistan Provides Path for Economic Recovery to Lead Political and Social Consolidation
A potential trillion-dollar mining boom in Northern Afghanistan will lead to jobs, jobs, jobs for the Afghani people as communities that are hosting mining operations also start to see an upswing in small business creation, facilities and much-needed physical infrastructure… Read More ›
US, Israel and Iran: Opportunities and Black Holes
Pressure is mounting in global discourse between Iran and Israel, as the former grapples with hosting international (Non-Align Movement) conferences and fatal earthquakes, while the latter vacillates between seriously considering unilateral strikes against Iran’s nuclear facilities and securing their borders… Read More ›
NATO Chicago Summit Stresses NATO’s Search for New Global Role & Highlights New Strategic Perspectives in Afghanistan & Pakistan
Chicago NATO Summit 2012 Declaration | Defense & Security News at DefenceTalk. Post-Libya and nearly post-Syria, it is clear that NATO seeks to understand and then establish a new role for itself globally, not only in defense, but it appears,… Read More ›
Implications of Obama’s new Longer-term Strategic Partnership Agreement with Afghanistan
Today, on the anniversary of the mission that eliminated Osama bin Laden across the border in Pakistan, President Obama has flown to Afghanistan to sign the much-anticipated longer-term Strategic Cooperation Agreement. As I write, President Obama is personally finalizing details… Read More ›
Iran, World Powers Launch Nuclear Talks
Iran, World Powers Launch Nuclear Talks. Let’s see where this goes but as pointed out in my last blog post on this subject, Turkey is a good bridge to Iran and India is an even better link that can produce… Read More ›
My Drone War – By Pir Zubair Shah | Foreign Policy
My Drone War – By Pir Zubair Shah | Foreign Policy. This is a superb piece of insight that supports my blog post on Obama’s new war strategy written a month or more ago! Shah provides credible information in this… Read More ›
How Far Does Israeli Military Strategy Concerning Iran Necessitate An Automatic Military Response From the USA?
Today Israeli Prime Minister met with President Obama concerning Iran. Preceding and following the official meetings, The President and the Prime Minister gave important press conferences in which each nation’s national security interest was outlined. For Israel, it is important… Read More ›
Open Letter to the People of Iran
Dear People of Iran, As an ancient culture once at the center of civilization, you know that the world is an ever-changing place. People migrate, empires fall while other new powers assume strength, wars are won and lost on the… Read More ›
Women in Afghanistan: The Challenge of Converting Rights and Legal Norms into Action
One of the official side events of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) was scheduled today called “Implementing the Women, Peace and Security Agenda in Afghanistan” at the UN HQ. I was so struck by the contrast of… Read More ›
Are Oil Prices Rising Due to the Iranian situation? Who Wins?
This week Iran cut oil supplies to Britain and France ahead of the promised EU sanctions this summer; Iran is also threatening to cut supplies to Italy, Spain, Portugal, Greece and Germany in the coming days and weeks. Almost ahead… Read More ›
Joint Tripartite Agreement between Afghanistan, Iran and Pakistan – Feb 2012
Joint Statement of Trilateral Summit, Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan
Comments on BRIC and Iran Post: Iranian Presidential Election in 2013 and Competing for Security Council Seats
A good friend of mine who knows the inner politics of Iran and the negotiations with the US/West sent me very valuable comments by email on the BRIC and Iran post. I felt I had to anonymously share his comments…. Read More ›
The BRIC and Iran: The Start of a New Era of Activism?
In the UN halls of power, one hears a lot of whispers about the ascent of the BRIC, or BRICSA as it has now become – Brazil, Russia, India, China and the newest member, South Africa. While the power of… Read More ›
Islamic Mosaic: The Patchwork of Shiite and Sunni Communities Quicksand for Regional Stability
Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, UAE, Oman and Qatar form part of the Islamic Mosaic of Shiite and Sunni communities laying the groundwork for the enlargement of the Syrian Shia-Sunni conflict, if ignited. The world “Arab” does not distinguish… Read More ›
Syria and Then Iran: China and Russia Veto Allows for New Solutions
Saturday afternoon(2/04), a small group of protestors marched from Brayant Park to the UN to demonstrate against the looming war against Iran. On the face of it, they looked like average Americans that felt compelled to object to the gaining… Read More ›
Arab Policy Cohesion to Combat the Specter of a Nuclear Iran: China
After decades of indecision and prevarication, the Gulf Arabs and Saudi Arabia seem to suddenly have achieved policy cohesion in the face of a Nuclear Iran. The first evidence of this was the welcome reception, oil and trade deals that… Read More ›
Putin’s Presidency heralds “Mother Russia” Ideologically-Led Foreign Policy
The political and media discourse surrounding Putin’s bid for Presidency has been wary and careful, highlighting his appeal as a strong Russian nationalist that has prioritized the return of Mother Russia as a powerful and dynamic global leader, one that… Read More ›
Iran’s Fordo Nuclear Facility: Saving Lives of Cancer Patients or Ushering in Armageddon?
As someone who has lost loved ones to cancer, I understood the urgency with which the Government of Iran might want to develop treatments for the alleged 800,000+ Iranians suffering from cancer. In a traditional scenario, providing this treatment is… Read More ›
2011 A year of revolution, 2012 ?
The year 2011 has been tumultuous in many ways, both individual and collectively. The world has witnessed seismic changes in North Africa, in Tunisia, Egypt and Libya, while old relationships and alliances such as between Pakistan and the US appear… Read More ›
