Finally an Opportunity for a Real Campaign Conversation on Iran

Sunday’s New York Times story that the US and Iran have agreed in principle to direct bilateral negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program provides opportunity for a more honest conversation on Iran than the presidential candidates have had so far. Well,… Continue Reading

On the Politics of how well Sanctions are Working

The escalating sanctions regime that has been imposed on Iran by the United States and European Union has placed all parties involved in a rather strange position. On the US side, the palpable glee over the dropping value of the… Continue Reading

Sanctions Aiding Limitation of Independent Publications in Iran

The University of Pennsylvania’s Iran Media Project and ASL 19, a Canadian non-profit working against censorship in Iran, explain how sanctions are increasing the Iranian government’s censorship capabilities: It is increasingly difficult for independent publishers of books and print newspapers in… Continue Reading

Is sanctions relief really on the table?

The Guardian is reporting that a “reformulated” proposal including “limited sanctions relief” will be launched by the five permanent members of the UN Security Council plus Germany (p5+1) after the US presidential election. Earlier this week Al-Monitor reported along the same lines and Secretary… Continue Reading

More on the Falling Rial from Djavad Salehi-Isfahani

Virginia Tech economist Djavad Salehi-Isfahani’s recent explanation of the rial situation in Iran generated a lot of attention, and much in the way of non-expert criticism, likely because it deviates considerably from the prevailing narrative on Iran’s economy: it’s about… Continue Reading