Juan Cole

For Netanyahu Iran Is About ‘Apocalypse’ and ‘Mushroom Clouds’

For Netanyahu Iran Is About ‘Apocalypse’ and ‘Mushroom Clouds’

Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu demanded on Sunday that the world community constrain Iran to change its “genocidal policy” toward Israel, in the course of a speech in which he attacked President Obama’s current round of negotiations with Iran over its civilian nuclear enrichment program.

JUAN COLE: It appears that a light foam forms on Binyamin Netanyahu’s lips when he begins speaking about Iran. Not all Israeli politicians are like him

 Common Ground News Service

The Rouhani/Zarif Twitter Exchange: Improved Dialogue?

The Rouhani/Zarif Twitter Exchange: Improved Dialogue?

MICHAEL FELSEN, CGNEWS: A recent exchange of tweets hints at a more positive future dialogue between two regional superpowers.

 Common Ground News Service

Rouhani’s Election: Clock’s Ticking on Golden Opportunity

Rouhani’s Election: Clock’s Ticking on Golden Opportunity

AMBASSADOR WILLIAM GREEN, CGNEWS: I’ve been involved in negotiatons with Iran for more than fifty years. I believe we need to capitalise quickly on the new situation

 James M. Dorsey

World Cup Qualifier Comes At A ‘Volatile Moment’ in Iran

World Cup Qualifier Comes At A ‘Volatile Moment’ in Iran

JAMES M. DORSEY: Today’s World Cup qualifier will be monitored closely by the authorities in Tehran

 Juan Cole

Obama’s Speech: Is Era of ‘Perpetual War’ Closing?

Obama’s Speech: Is Era of ‘Perpetual War’ Closing?

JUAN COLE: President Obama’s inauguration speech is sure to trigger panic among the ‘we must have war’ crowd. But does he really mean it?

 James M. Dorsey

Ahmadinejad looks to Soccer to Boost Image

Ahmadinejad looks to Soccer to Boost Image

JAMES M. DORSEY: Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is following in the footsteps of deposed autocrats by associating himself with one of Iran’s greatest passions: soccer.

 Juan Cole

‘Diplomatic Ruin’, ‘International Isolation’: Peres Has Enough

‘Diplomatic Ruin’, ‘International Isolation’: Peres Has Enough

JUAN COLE: Netanyahu and Barak were intent on boxing Obama into a corner. But the wily octogenarian, Shimon Peres, has stepped in.

 Juan Cole

The U.S/Israeli Plan for Iran: It’s Doomed

The U.S/Israeli Plan for Iran: It’s Doomed

JUAN COLE: It’s well worth looking at previous situations where major powers tried to use economics to bring Iran to heel.

 Juan Cole

‘Supreme Leader’ Ali Khamenei: Look at the Title

‘Supreme Leader’ Ali Khamenei: Look at the Title

JUAN COLE: Forget Ahmadinejad, the real force in Iranian politics is Ali Khamenei. Shouldn’t we listen to what he has to say?

 Ramzy Baroud

Israel Bangs Drum for War: Why Follow?

Israel Bangs Drum for War: Why Follow?

RAMZY BAROUD: History repeats itself, when we fail to learn its lessons. Israel might want to take such chances, but why should the rest of the world?

 Steve Royston

2012 and Beyond: The Many Reasons to be Both Fearful – and Cheerful

2012 and Beyond: The Many Reasons to be Both Fearful – and Cheerful

STEVE ROYSTON looks at the arts, society, education, politics, business, technology and the environment as we move into 2012, the Year of Fear’.

 Juan Cole

‘All Praise to George W. Bush’: The Top Ten Myths of the Arab Spring

‘All Praise to George W. Bush’: The Top Ten Myths of the Arab Spring

JUAN COLE: So much that is misinformed, over-hyped and simply plain wrong has been written about the Arab Spring. So let’s sort the wheat from the chaff.

 Jonathan Cook

Netanyahu: ‘Israel is Jewish. Agree Or Else’

Netanyahu: ‘Israel is Jewish. Agree Or Else’

JONATHAN COOK: The demand has risen to the top of the Israeli agenda and if accepted will condemn Palestinians as ‘historic interlopers and trespassers’.

 David Roberts

Big Claims By ‘WSJ’ on Iran & Bahrain. But Proof?

Big Claims By ‘WSJ’ on Iran & Bahrain. But Proof?

DAVID ROBERTS: The Wall Street Journal has published a very curious piece indeed on the relationship between Iran and Bahrain. It’s long on allegation but very short on proof.

 Juan Cole

‘Our Luck’, A President That Gets Complexity

‘Our Luck’, A President That Gets Complexity

JUAN COLE: President Obama’s speech last night demonstrated clearly the qualities of leadership that those who seek to challenge him simply do not possess.

 James M. Dorsey

Iran Bans Women from Cinemas Showing Cup

Iran Bans Women from Cinemas Showing Cup

JAMES M. DORSEY: Khamenei and other hard-line government officials and clerics argue that the presence of women at men’s sporting events violates Islamic law.