CFR.org - Middle East

Crisis Between Kurds and Iraqi Government Needs U.S. Mediation

Council on Foreign Relations — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 14:05:35 -0400

Daniel P. Serwer, who served as executive director of the Baker-Hamilton Commission on Iraq, says the "serious" crisis between Kurdistan and the central Iraqi government "needs to be resolved" to some degree before the U.S. troops leave."

Tehran's Take

Council on Foreign Relations — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 16:03:08 -0400

Iran’s foreign policy is often portrayed in sensationalistic terms, but in reality it is a rational strategy meant to ensure the survival of the Islamic Republic against what Tehran thinks is an existential threat posed by the United States.

A Shaky Iraq's Sovereign Step

Council on Foreign Relations — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 12:38:48 -0400

The withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraqi cities was a relatively easy benchmark to meet, analysts say. Many are unsure whether the country can withstand a complete U.S. pullout in less than two years.

Press Conference with Gen. Ray Odierno on MNF Forces in Iraq, June 2009

Council on Foreign Relations — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 12:05:38 -0400

Speech

WashPost: Iraq: Mission Not Yet Accomplished

Council on Foreign Relations — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 10:15:03 -0400

In this opinion piece Jawad Al Bolani, the interior minister of Iraq, writes that the June 30th withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq's major cities is the start of a highly uncertain period for Iraqi democracy rather than a historical endpoint to be celebrated.

Iraq at Crossroads Amid U.S. Disengagement

Council on Foreign Relations — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 09:08:40 -0400

As U.S. combat forces begin to withdraw from Iraq's cities, expert Kenneth M. Pollack says he remains "very concerned" about the political situation in Iraq. He stresses the need for the "continued attention" of the United States to bring about a stable Iraq.

After the Iranian Uprising

Council on Foreign Relations — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 11:59:20 -0400

Violence and unrest following Iran's contested presidential vote on June 12 have raised new questions about the regime's long-term stability and prospects for U.S.-Iran rapprochement. Four experts address the current state of affairs and policy options for Washington.

Middle East Quartet Statement, June 2009

Council on Foreign Relations — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 09:58:16 -0400

Statement

Despite Crackdown, U.S. Must Deal with Iranian Regime

Council on Foreign Relations — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 08:43:09 -0400

CFR President Richard N. Haass says in the aftermath of the Iranian regime's crackdown on post-election protesters, the Obama administration will need to revive efforts to negotiate an end to Tehran's nuclear program.

Reform and Women's Rights Movements Intertwined in Iran

Council on Foreign Relations — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 13:33:50 -0400

Following the 2009 disputed Iran presidential election, CFR's Isobel Coleman, a leading expert on women's issues, says that if Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's victory stands, "you'll see a much more restricted Iran." This will "fall heavily on women, but it won't stop them," she says.

Treading Carefully on Iran

Council on Foreign Relations — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 13:10:49 -0400

A day after U.S. President Barack Obama harshly condemned Iran's leadership for post-election violence, some analysts believe the United States will have no choice but to scale back promised overtures to the Iranian regime

Obama's Press Conference, June 2009

Council on Foreign Relations — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 15:53:14 -0400

Speech

Iran's Revolutionary Guards

Council on Foreign Relations — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 13:01:30 -0400

In the aftermath of the June 2009 presidential election, Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps has become major to the regime's power projection. Some analysts have seen the guard's hand in a creeping militarization of Iran's domestic policy.

FP: 1979: The Great Backlash

Council on Foreign Relations — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 10:10:26 -0400

This article and interactive timeline highlights the events that made 1979 a seminal year in world history with reverberations still felt, from Iran's Islamic revolution to the Soviet Union's invasion of Afghanistan.

Iran's Clash of 'Titans' May Not Resolve Itself Soon

Council on Foreign Relations — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 09:36:06 -0400

Farideh Farhi, an Iran expert, says powerful forces are arrayed on both sides of Iran's electoral dispute and that a resounding victory by either side is unlikely.

Khamenei's Speech on the Iranian Elections, June 2009 (summary)

Council on Foreign Relations — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 09:50:11 -0400

Speech

Obama's Statement on Iran, June 2009

Council on Foreign Relations — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 09:23:45 -0400

Statement

Parsing Iran's 'Momentous' Internal Drama

Council on Foreign Relations — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 13:40:58 -0400

Following massive protests over Iran's presidential election results, Karim Sadjadpour, an Iran expert, says Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei may have to sacrifice President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to save himself.

Five Ways Obama Could Promote Freedom in Iran

Council on Foreign Relations — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 10:06:15 -0400

Daniel Senor and Christian Whiton argue that the 2004 Orange Revolution in Ukraine can serve as a model for democratic reform in Iran.

LAT: Iran's election opens generational fissure

Council on Foreign Relations — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 09:56:41 -0400

In this opinion piece Ramin Jahanbegloo, an Iranian dissident living in exile, characterizes the post-election dissent in Iran as a turning point in its history that highlights the generation gap evident in its society.

'Crisis of Legitimacy' in Iran

Council on Foreign Relations — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 11:53:53 -0400

Arang Keshavarzian, an expert on Iranian politics at New York University, says the decision by the Iranian leadership to peremptorily announce President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's election victory has alienated many Iranians and will greatly complicate U.S. plans to engage the Iranian government.

Washington Times: Analysis: Iran regime likely shaken for good

Council on Foreign Relations — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 11:10:19 -0400

Barbara Slavin writes that the aftermath of Iran's controversial elections will tarnish the Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's reputation and stature at home.

NYT: Iran's Hidden Revolution

Council on Foreign Relations — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 10:04:02 -0400

In this Op-Ed piece, Danielle Pletka and Ali Alfoneh characterize Iran's latest elections as the final step in a military coup d'état.

The Tehran Test

Council on Foreign Relations — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 09:59:24 -0400

The Iranian government's response to public uproar over the presidential polls is raising questions about its power base and stability. Experts say the turmoil poses tricky questions for U.S. policymakers hoping to engage Iran's government.

Mission Not Accomplished

Council on Foreign Relations — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 13:35:56 -0400

Leslie H. Gelb and Jeanne-Paloma Zelmati analyze the print reporting leading up to the war in Iraq, and draw conclusions about the media's successes and failures.

Why Obama Should Listen to Bibi

Council on Foreign Relations — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 13:20:13 -0400

Leslie H. Gelb writes that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu "made some significant points that Washington shouldn’t ignore," in his speech on Sunday.

Tehran's Take

Council on Foreign Relations — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 11:39:51 -0400

July/August 2009 Pre-Release: Iran's foreign policy is often portrayed in sensationalistic terms, but in reality it is a rational strategy meant to ensure the survival of the Islamic Republic against what Tehran thinks is an existential threat posed by the United States.

Netanyahu Speech Aimed to Ease U.S. Relations, Unlikely to Assuage Palestinians

Council on Foreign Relations — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 11:18:32 -0400

Aaron David Miller, a former senior U.S. negotiator in the Mideast, says Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's closely watched speech on June 14 "was less about pursuing Arab-Israeli peace and much more about pursuing the U.S.-Israeli relationship."

Why the Jews?

Council on Foreign Relations — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 09:54:24 -0400

Michael J. Gerson writes in response to the shooting at the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum, "When the rights of Jews are violated, all human rights are insecure."

Politico: Ahmadinejad won. Get over it

Council on Foreign Relations — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 09:24:26 -0400

Flynt Leverett and Hillary Mann Leverett write that dismissing Ahmadinejad's reelection as fraud ignores several salient facts, and point out evidence supporting the assertion that the election results are legitimate.