Afghanistan: How to Wind Down

by Henry Precht Two US service members were killed and at least eight others injured Monday in an insider attack at a Special Forces site in Afghanistan. The Taliban asserted responsibility. This incident would seem to nullify President Hamid Karzai’s… Continue Reading

Tehran Mulls Almaty II Amid Hopes for More Give and Take

by Farideh Farhi via IPS News The meeting between Iran and the so-called P5+1 (five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council plus Germany) that took place in late February in Almaty, Kazakhstan was described as positive and even a… Continue Reading

For Iran and Pakistan, Energy Trumps Enmity

by Fatemeh Aman via IPS News Iran appears to be putting its immediate economic and strategic needs ahead of religious solidarity as it seeks to promote ties with neighbouring Pakistan. Judging from a recent visit to Iran by Pakistani President Asef… Continue Reading

The US in the Middle East Today

by Charles Naas Not even a month in office, Secretary of State John Kerry took his first official trip to the troubled Middle East and immediately felt first-hand the pressures and metamorphosing power relationships in the region. He began his visit… Continue Reading

Obama and the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict: It’s Time to Act

by Emile Nakhleh via IPS News As President Barack Obama travels to Israel and Palestine in the spring, Washington’s unconditional backing of Israel could soon begin to harm U.S. interests and security in Arab Muslim countries. Recent Pew and Gallup… Continue Reading