by Kaveh L. Afrasiabi This week, President Hassan Rouhani’s three-day Iraqi visit marks an important turning point in Iran-Iraq relations. Rouhani aims to boost bilateral ties and, simultaneously, circumvent suffocating U.S. sanctions. This much-anticipated visit, Rouhani’s first as Iran’s president,… Continue Reading
by Kaveh L. Afrasiabi There is now a growing conviction in Iran that Pakistan has for all practical purposes turned into an ally of Iran’s regional bete noire, namely Saudi Arabia. Its much-dreaded crown prince, Mohammad bin Salman (MbS), received… Continue Reading
by Kaveh L. Afrasiabi “Nations are rallying to our side to confront Iran in the region like never before,” Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in a major foreign policy speech in Cairo on January 10. Claiming that his administration… Continue Reading
by Kaveh L. Afrasiabi President Donald Trump has roiled both the Middle East and the American foreign policy establishment with the startling announcement that he is withdrawing U.S. forces from Syria. That decision, prompting the resignation of Secretary of Defense… Continue Reading
by Kaveh L. Afrasiabi According to reports from Iran and Europe, the European Union is on the verge of launching the financial clearing house known as the Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV), which was initially announced on the sideline of UN… Continue Reading