Erdogan vs. Gulen

by Umar Farooq For more than thirteen years, Turkey has made a slow but steady transition towards a free and democratic society, despite the occasional pang of apprehension among some about where that road might lead. The men at the helm… Continue Reading

Ex-IAEA Chief Warns on Using Unverified Intel to Pressure Iran

by Gareth Porter In a critique of the handling of the Iran file by the International Atomic Energy Agency, former IAEA Director General Han Blix has called for greater skepticism about the intelligence documents and reports alleging Iranian nuclear weapons… Continue Reading

State Department Delays Release of Iran History

by Steven Aftergood The U.S. Department of State has blocked the publication of a long-awaited documentary history of U.S. covert action in Iran in the 1950s out of concern that its release could adversely affect ongoing negotiations over Iran’s nuclear… Continue Reading

After 53 Years, Obama To Normalize Ties with Cuba

by Jim Lobe In perhaps his boldest foreign policy move during his presidency, Barack Obama Wednesday announced that he intends to establish full diplomatic relations with Cuba. While the president noted that he lacked the authority to lift the 54-year-old… Continue Reading

Release of Senate Torture Report Insufficient, Say Rights Groups

by Jim Lobe Tuesday’s release by the Senate Intelligence Committee of its long-awaited report on the torture by the CIA of detainees in the so-called “war on terror” does not go far enough, according to major U.S. human rights groups.… Continue Reading