Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is erasing any democratic rights as he consolidates power. He is preparing Iran for a siege from enemies on every border and even some inside the walls.
President Obama’s re-election for a second term has afforded him much more manoeuvrability on foreign policy issues, including Iran. What are the prospects for the US-Iranian dialogue in the next four years - and how will it affect the Islamic Republic's local pro-democracy forces?
In Afghanistan, opium is not clandestinely traded on some back alley black market. Opium is the market.
The similarities are stark: a Baathist regime in power for decades, a ruling religious minority accused by some of fuelling sectarian resentment and praised by others for maintaining a secular identity, the emergence of Sunni-Shi’a strife
The latest Israeli-Palestinian conflict can be traced to decisions made since 2004. Its solution lies in a recognition of strategic reality, says Eóin Murray.
A call for foreign intervention is a cry for help by an embattled opposition walking a shaky tightrope with a tough choice ahead.
For Abu Khalil, at least Gazans have the honour of being terrorised on their own land.
Don’t they realize that once they start prosecuting people for breaching these rules, this is just the beginning of a vicious downward cycle? And that there is a lot depending on such decisions?
Tahrir Square has recently been taken over by the Salafists to demand Islamic rule in the constitution and hence in Egyptian society at large.
The rulers of Saudi Arabia and Qatar insist that Bashar Assad step down or be removed by force because the Syrian people want him gone. Yet, they ignore the fact that the Arab peoples want them all gone, not just Assad.
Since 2011 three failed strategies have been attempted, with weapons provision bringing up the rear. The regional politics of the conflict make the dangers of massive escalation imminent: it is time to find a transition acceptable to both sides.
The upcoming presidential elections in Iran may bring about formidable change that will take aback even the alleged leaders of public opposition movements.
