“If, however, with strong leadership and moral clarity, the United States, Israel, and its potential allies can establish an international coalition committed to the enfranchisement of Palestinians and the establishment of lasting peace in the region, then perhaps the status quo that has prevailed for decades may slowly begin to change.”
Read MoreThe bill, known as the Culture of Chastity and Hijab Bill, allows up to 10 years of jail time as punishment for women who choose not to wear the hijab or abide by Islamic dress code. Additionally, the bill permits flogging, fines of up to 360 million Iranian rials, and restrictions on travel and online access for women accused and convicted.
Read More“The protests, which began in mid-September, are a response to the unjustified police murder of Amini andthe continued oppression of women under the conservative government of Iran. The demonstrations display acts of defiance by Iranian women targeting various symbols of the Republic.”
“Ratcliffe acknowledges that his hunger strike cannot go on forever, but plans to continue until there is acknowledgement from the British government that they are acting to bring Zaghari-Ratcliffe back home.”
Read More“Amidst negotiations between Iran and the United States over a return to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action Iran’s Natanz nuclear facility was attacked, complicating negotiations.”
Read More“This maneuver will directly undercut America’s influence in the Middle East as China is opting in to buying Iranian oil, who is currently under American sanctions. These sanctions have isolated Iran in the Middle East and have limited Iran’s opportunities for foreign investment. Historically, sanctions have been an effective form of punishment as long as the nation has no one else to turn to economically. With China’s economic extension to Iran through a 25 year deal, this offers both a relief to Iran economically while also allowing it to think freely concerning other issues such as the Iran Nuclear Deal.”
Read More“President Joe Biden has come forward saying that he intends to move the United States to reenter the Iran Nuclear Deal as soon as Iran resumes compliance with the stipulations. Biden has also suggested that, upon reentering the deal, he plans to negotiate a successor agreement that will also address Iran’s missile program. In response, Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif stated in September of 2020 that Iran would “absolutely not” renegotiate the deal’s terms from scratch, and expects the United States to compensate Iran for the monetary damages from the oil and banking sanctions under the Trump Administration which amount to USD $1 trillion.”
Read More“While much disinformation comes from inside the U.S., Americans must also note an ever-present strategy for impacting elections adopted by both interveners, and that is dividing the population and undermining faith in our election systems. Distrust in our democracy generally, is not only damaging in election time, but damaging to the cohesion of the nation broadly.”
Read More“A new round of rocket strikes on the U.S. backed Ain al-Asad airbase in Iraq prompts questions of how the Biden administration will respond to growing hostilities with Iran. Despite the U.S. desire to return to a negotiated nuclear framework, the current cycle of escalation could prevent any meaningful cooperation in the near future.”
Read More“On December 1, the Parliament of Iran passed a bill that gave the European nations a month to lift crippling oil and banking sanctions. Without sanction relief, Iran threatened to kick out UN nuclear inspectors, increase uranium enrichment to 20%, and install new centrifuges (necessary for uranium enrichment) at two prominent nuclear sites, Natanz and Fordo.”
Read More'“With the withdrawal of the US from the JCPOA and construction commencing at the Natanz nuclear facility, the necessity of further discussions between the remaining signatories of the JCPOA is brought to the forefront of the international consciousness.”
Read More“Other methods of foreign interference are much more subtle, such as state-sponsored forms of media that can reach and misinform voters. William Evanina, Director of the National Counterintelligence and Security Center, released a statement in early August in which he states that the governments of China, Russia, and Iran are attempting to interfere with the 2020 Presidential Election. When asked about the report, President Trump said that his administration would look “very closely” into it.”
Read More“A U.S. district court ordered Iran to pay $1.4 billion in damages for the 2007 capture and likely death of former FBI agent Robert Levinson who was on a rogue mission with the CIA… Judge Kelly is therefore officially holding Iran responsible for Levinson’s capture and likely death, a fact they have long disputed. A spokesperson for the Iranian Foreign Minister decried the judgement calling it “another example of the American's extravagances and bullying.”
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