Optimistic in Almaty? How to Move the Iran Impasse Forward

by Laicie Heeley & Usha Sahay After months of deliberation, Iranian negotiators and representatives of the 6-world power P5+1 negotiating team have agreed to meet on February 26 in Almaty, Kazakhstan. Hopeful watchers may read some symbolism into the location:… Continue Reading

Few Hopes for Iran Breakthrough

by Jim Lobe via IPS News Despite an agreement between Iran and the five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council plus Germany (P5+1) to resume long-delayed talks about Tehran’s nuclear programme in Kazakhstan at the end of this month,… Continue Reading

Kazakhstan: Astana Registers Diplomatic Boost with Iran Nuclear Talks

by Joanna Lillis When Iranian officials sit down at the negotiating table in Almaty with representatives from six international powers, Kazakhstan will gain kudos that will burnish its international diplomatic image and raise the prestige of President Nursultan Nazarbayev. The event may… Continue Reading

Questioning Recent Iran Policy Prescriptions

Any reader of my last piece on this site will be unsurprised that I was disappointed by the Iran chapter of “US Non-Proliferation Strategy for the Middle East” — a policy paper produced by five self-proclaimed “non-partisan specialists”. (Jim Lobe has written about it here.)… Continue Reading

New Push in U.S. for Tougher Sanctions, War Threats Against Iran

via IPS News Four U.S. non-proliferation specialists are urging the Obama administration to impose tougher economic sanctions against Iran and issue more explicit threats to destroy its nuclear programme by military means. In a 155-page report, the specialists, who were… Continue Reading