What Obama didn't see in Iraq
While United States President Barack Obama's surprise visit hogged the headlines, more important news was circling Baghdad's streets. A reduced sentence for a shoe-thrower sparked jubilation, while moves to bring exiled Ba'athists into the political fold finally hold promise. A bigger problem for the Nuri al-Maliki government lies in the Awakening Councils, as his attempts to quash them may have triggered Monday's six deadly car bombs. - Sami Moubayed (Apr 8,'09)
Read Full Article By Sami Moubayed
Obama twists and turns on Iran
By Kaveh L Afrasiabi
"We will support Iran's right to peaceful nuclear energy with rigorous inspections." Of all of United President Barack Obama's repeated references to Iran during his near flawless, message-wise, European tour this week, this was undoubtedly the most important, as it signified a new willingness on the US's part to consent to Iran's controversial nuclear fuel cycle.
But, if only Obama could remain consistent and withstand the mounting pressures from various corners, above all Israel and its supporters in the US. These aim to prevent what is increasingly appearing as a logical and
necessary adjustment in the US's policy toward Iran in the absence of anyevidence of the military diversion of its nuclear program.
Please read the full article Kaveh L Afrasiabi (Apr 7,'09)
