POLITICS-US: Neo-Cons Driving Iran Divestment Campaign

Neo-conservative hawks who championed the invasion of Iraq are leading a new campaign to persuade state and local governments, as well as other institutional investors, to "divest" their holdings in foreign companies and U.S. overseas subsidiaries doing business in Iran.

POLITICS: Can Europe End the Lose-Lose Game with Iran?

As the world powers gather in Berlin this week to discuss new punitive measures against Iran's nuclear programme, Europe is faced with a daunting task.

POLITICS: Global Public Favours Stronger U.N.

According to the results of a groundbreaking 18-nation poll released Wednesday, people around the world favour dramatic steps to strengthen the United Nations, including giving it the power to have its own standing peacekeeping force, to regulate the international arms trade and to investigate human rights abuses.

POLITICS: A Softer, Gentler Era of U.S., Iran Relations?

Tehran's high-level presence at the meeting this week in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt to discuss Iraq's security boosts the chances for eventual negotiations between Tehran and Washington over their long-running disputes, say analysts here and in Iran.

U.S./IRAQ: Bush Holds Iranian Officials as Bargaining Chips

When the George W. Bush administration announced in January that it was targeting Iranian officials in Iraq, it justified the policy as necessary to protect U.S. troops because of their alleged involvement in attacks on U.S. forces.

IRAN: Nobel Peace Laureate Calls for Nuclear Referendum

Shirin Ebadi, 2003 Nobel Peace Prize laureate, is urging the Iranian government to hold a national referendum on the country's controversial nuclear programme, because it "has a direct impact" on the lives of millions of Iranian citizens.

IRAN: Ready for Dialogue with U.S. Says Khatami

Iran is ready for dialogue with the United States despite the belligerent rhetoric of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, according to his predecessor in office, Mohammed Khatami.

MIDDLE EAST: GCC Countries Complicate US’ Iran Plans

With members of the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) urging dialogue rather than war with Iran over its nuclear programme and reluctant to allow their territories to be used in any attack, Washington's pressure tactics against Tehran appear to be faltering.

POLITICS-US: Heroes or Cowards? Neocons Weigh In on Sailors

Name, rank, serial number and sign on the dotted line. No sooner had Britain's 15 "kidnapped" sailors and marines returned from their harrowing "hostage" experience at the hands of Iran than some were lining up to sell their stories to the British press.

IRAN: In Catch-22 Over Release of British Mariners

A week after President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad ordered the release of 15 British mariners, detained on charges of trespassing into Iranian waters, it is still unclear if he got any mileage out of an incident that may well have sparked off a new war in the Middle East.

POLITICS: Bush’s Bluster on Iran Was Cover for Direct Talks

When the George W. Bush administration launched a high-profile campaign in January and February accusing Iran of exporting armour-piercing bombs to Shiite militias in Iraq, seizing Iranian officials in Iraq, threatening cross-border raids against Iran and sending a second carrier battle group into the Gulf, it seemed that it was entering a much more aggressive phase of Middle East policy.

POLITICS-US: Terror-Free Investments Gain Momentum

As the United Nations toughens sanctions on Iran for its failure to suspend its nuclear activities, a growing number of U.S. state lawmakers - and a few Congresspersons - are responding to a grassroots campaign to divest in companies that do business with countries that the State Department considers state sponsors of terrorism.

US/IRAN: Duel for Leverage Fuels Conflict, Not Diplomacy

As the dispute over Iran's seizure of British sailors continues to twist and turn, what may have been an isolated incident at the outset is quickly developing into yet another move in the geopolitical chess game between the West and Iran.

IRAN: Image Opportunity in British Marines&#39 Arrest

Whether or not the 15 British Royal Marines in Iranian custody actually trespassed into the country's territorial waters, the incident has provided Tehran with an opportunity to build up an image of a peaceful, non-aggressive nation set upon by Western predators.

EUROPE: U.S. Base Revives Cold War Feelings

The U.S. missile defence system to be deployed in Eastern Europe is becoming a matter for concern in all of Europe. Russia, Ukraine, Germany and France are now worried and demand talks.

POLITICS: Iran Faces Politically Diluted Sanctions on Nukes

When the 15-member U.N. Security Council decides to penalise Iran for its nuclear enrichment programme sometime next week, it is expected to adopt a draft resolution that has been politically diluted to meet the demands of two veto-wielding permanent members - Russia and China - and protect their strong economic and military interests.

IRAN/SOUTH ASIA: US Frown Turns Gas Pipeline Into Pipe Dream

A grandiose project to construct a pipeline to transport natural gas from Iran to India through Pakistan at a cost of seven billion US dollars is in jeopardy on account of stiff opposition from Washington and wrangling among the three regional partners.

POLITICS: U.S. Nukes Plan Viewed as Provocative

The announcement earlier this month that the United States will pursue the design and construction of new nuclear weapons has not been warmly embraced by the rest of the world.

NORTH KOREA: ‘Back at Square One on Nuclear Issue’

Is the Korean peninsula really heading for de-nuclearisation after last month's surprising deal? Experts like Han Sung-Joo, former South Korean foreign minister, remain sceptical and say it is ''unlikely that the North Korean regime will ever give up its nuclear weapons''.

POLITICS-US/IRAN: The Religious Right’s New Bugbear

Last Sunday, Pastor John Hagee, the founder of Christians United for Israel, received a rousing reception at the opening dinner plenary of the annual American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) conference.

POLITICS-US: End of Cowboy Diplomacy, Part II?

It was just nine months ago when Newsweek spoke for the conventional wisdom at that moment when it pronounced "The End of Cowboy Diplomacy".