Iran Nuclear Accord “Unlikely” Without Easing Sanctions

via IPS News Iran is unlikely to agree to curb its nuclear programme unless the U.S. and its Western allies are prepared to ease tough economic sanctions imposed against the Islamic Republic over the past decade, according to a major… Continue Reading

More Voices Urge Obama to Rein In Netanyahu

via IPS News WASHINGTON, Dec 6 2012 (IPS) – Increasingly distressed over the possible consequences of Israel’s recent steps to punish the Palestinian Authority (PA) and consolidate its hold on the West Bank, a number of prominent voices here are urging… Continue Reading

A Bird’s-Eye View of the Middle East

For an extraordinary bird’s eye view of U.S. relations with the Greater Middle East, the impact of the “Arab Spring” and the increasing isolation of Israel, among other subjects, a lecture delivered last week by Amb. Chas Freeman (ret.) to… Continue Reading

U.S. Policy for Direct Talks With Iran

In its most explicit statement so far, the Obama administration — via Secretary of  State Hillary Clinton — has made clear that Washington wants bilateral talks with Iran. Speaking at the Brookings Institution’s Saban Center last night she said in… Continue Reading