Three articles and a birthday message for President Ahmadinejad

The first Wikileaks report was a gift for Iran. Iran’s leaders were hoping that the latest would be as well. It didn’t exactly turn out that way. To find out why, and to know about a new deal being discussed in some western capitals with regards to Iran’s existing stock pile of Low Enriched Uranium, read article 1.

Article 2 looks at the recent report about Chinese companies breaking UN sanctions by selling equipment to Iran’s nuclear and missile program and the dangers this poses to Chinese interests and to the world, read article 2.

I wrote article 3 in Farsi, on the 30^th anniversary of the Iran – Iraq war. It looks at Israel’s dealings with Iran during the war, and how the Islamic Republic’s anti-Israeli ideology has made any rapprochement between the two sides impossible since the Iran Contra scandal.

Last but not least, today is Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s birthday. He was born on this day in the village of Aradan, in 1956. I wish president Ahmadinejad whatever the people of Iran wish him (no comment).

Article 1

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2010/oct/28/iran-regret-wikileaks-revelation

Article 2

http://the-diplomat.com/china-power/2010/10/28/chinas-risky-iran-strategy/

Article 3

http://www.bbc.co.uk/persian/iran/2010/09/100912_war30th_israel_iraq_war_iran.shtml

The birthday song

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F1dasTOY59o

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Dangerous Liaisons? Iran, Israel and the United States

The Iranian nuclear program has proved to be a difficult conundrum to solve. Gathering international consensus to address it has not been easy, nor have imposing sanctions. As reported in the Washington Post yesterday, Chinese companies, despite UN sanctions, have been helping Iran’s nuclear and missile program.

Furthermore, some of the prominent countries who seem most concerned about the prospects of a nuclear Iran, ie US and Israel have their own domestic issues to deal with when it comes to the Middle East. This impacts their policies and actions towards Iran.

There are also Iran’s own concerns. Some are purely ideological, such as the government’s hostility towards Israel, and calls for its elimination as well support for groups such as Hamas and Hezbollah who share the Iranian government’s views. At the same time, Iran also has some genuine security concerns.

Tomorrow, USIP will be hosting a debate between Americans, Israelis and Iranians on this very matter. It will be in Washington. Details are below.Should be interesting.

http://www.usip.org/events/dangerous-liaisons-iran-israel-and-the-united-states

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Ahmadinejad’s Lebanese Adventures

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s supporters are very enthusiastic about his upcoming trip to Lebanon.

The exact opposite is true when it comes to the United States and Israel.

Throwing stones at Israeli soldiers is a photo opportunity which the Iranian president will cherish. But behind the bombast, what are the real reasons for his upcoming trip?

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2010/oct/08/ahmandinejad-lebanon-iran

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Iran Eyes Closer Pakistan Ties

“When Osama bin Laden made a second plea over the weekend for Muslim countries to be more generous in their aid to flood-stricken Pakistan, he failed to mention one country that already has been—Iran.”

Is Al Qaeda trying to compete with Iran?
Or does Iran have its work cut out, when it comes to influence in Pakistan?

http://the-diplomat.com/2010/10/04/iran-eyes-closer-pakistan-ties/

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