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Reuters:
"Addressing concerns that a landmark nuclear deal reached this year
could boost Iran's military power, the Obama administration reassured
critics that it would maintain and enforce its remaining tough sanctions
against the country. Yet the U.S. government has pursued far fewer
violations of a long-standing arms embargo against Iran in the past year
compared to recent years, according to a review of court records and
interviews with two senior officials involved in sanctions enforcement.
The sharp fall in new prosecutions did not reflect fewer attempts by Iran
to break the embargo, the officials said. Rather, uncertainty among
prosecutors and agents on how the terms of the deal would affect cases
made them reluctant to commit already scarce resources with the same
vigor as in previous years, the officials said. The more relaxed
enforcement raises questions over how strictly the arms embargo and other
remaining sanctions will be applied in future, since the nuclear deal
still needs to be implemented and Iran will likely remain sensitive to a
tough sanctions regime. In the 2014-15 fiscal year, which ended on Sept.
30, U.S. law enforcement officials filed fresh charges just twice against
those suspected of attempting to smuggle weapons and related technology
from the United States to Iran, according to court records. Eight such
cases were brought in 2013-14. By comparison, around 10 to 12 such cases
were brought in each of the preceding six years. 'There's been a
precipitous drop-off,' said one of the senior U.S. officials, who
declined to be identified. 'The facts are the facts - there's no other
explanation.' ... There are also indications that this summer, as
negotiations with Iran reached a critical point, Obama administration
officials were concerned with how sanctions enforcement could affect the
talks. In a June 2015 email seen by Reuters, a Treasury official
contacted an official from New York's Department of Financial Services
expressing alarm about an Iran-related investigation. 'Any actions that
are taken in connection with sanctions violations pertaining to Iran may
have serious impacts on the ongoing negotiations and U.S. foreign policy
goals and objectives,' wrote the official, whose name was redacted in the
email. Representative Patrick Meehan, a Republican critic of the Iran
deal and a former federal prosecutor, said the drop in prosecutions and
the letter from Treasury indicated that the Obama administration relaxed
sanctions to protect the negotiations." http://t.uani.com/1Ltbdnl
AFP:
"Four Iranian government ministers have broken ranks to warn of a
possible economic crisis because of the plunge in prices of oil and other
commodities, underlining the country's patchy recovery. In a letter sent
to President Hassan Rouhani that was published by newspapers Monday, the
ministers of economy, industry, labour and defence said 'incompatible'
policies were causing harm. 'If urgent action is not taken, stagnation
could turn into crisis,' the letter said, noting that capital was in
short supply because of falling income from sales of oil, metals and
minerals. Iranian media reported that the letter was sent one month
ago... Mohammad Gholi Yousefi, an economics professor at Allameh
Tabatabai University in Tehran, said the letter had exposed tensions over
the allocation of cash from Iran's own banks. 'Almost half the banks'
resources is practically blocked by the government, special customers and
banks themselves,' he told AFP, meaning it is not reaching businesses
crucial to the economy. 'Part of the money is also blocked by banks that
have invested the money in housing and malls, hoping for more return.
'The fact that ministers publicly wrote this letter shows the depth of
the crisis and confirms what independent economists have been warning
about for some time,' he added." http://t.uani.com/1WI7pjS
WSJ:
"Iran is expanding its already sizable role in Syria's multisided
war in the wake of Russia's airstrikes, despite the risk of antagonizing
the U.S. and its Persian Gulf allies who want to push aside President
Bashar al-Assad. Politicians in the region close to Tehran as well as
analysts who have been closely following its role in Syria say a decision
has been made, in close coordination with the Russians and the Assad
regime, to increase the number of fighters on the ground through Iran's
network of local and foreign proxies. The support also could involve more
Iranian commanders, military advisers and expert fighters usually
assigned to these units, these people said... Experts believe Iran has
some 7,000 IRGC members and Iranian paramilitary volunteers operating in
Syria already... What's more, some experts estimate 20,000 Shiite foreign
fighters are on the ground, backed by both Shiite Iran and its main proxy
in the region, the Lebanese Shiite militia Hezbollah. About 5,000 of them
are new arrivals from Iraq in July and August alone, said Phillip Smyth,
a researcher at the University of Maryland." http://t.uani.com/1Q15oLJ
Nuclear Program
& Agreement
AFP:
"A panel of Iranian lawmakers said Sunday that the inspections
regime underpinning the country's nuclear deal with world powers
represented a security threat, but the agreement should go ahead anyway.
The 15-member committee spent weeks reviewing the text of the July 14
agreement, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), for
what it said could be breaches of negotiators' 'red lines'. The panel had
largely been sidelined over its ability to influence the accord's fate
although its report paves the way for a formal vote in parliament. A law
passed earlier this year gave final oversight of the nuclear deal to
Iran's Supreme National Security Council (SNSC), rather than lawmakers,
many of whom have railed against the agreement... In their report the
lawmakers hit out at the decision to allow inspections of military sites,
which supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei had appeared to rule out in a
speech just weeks before the deal was sealed. 'It is evident that, based
on the JCPOA, access to Iranian military sites has become possible,' the
panel said. 'The JCPOA has serious weaknesses in the security section.
Unless there's a revision regarding the inspection of military, defence
and security sites, it will cause problems for the country.
'Implementation of this inspection regime could lead to unprecedented information
gathering and exposes to danger the security infrastructure, human,
scientific, military and security resources of Iran.' ... 'In case of any
breach of commitments by the other side, Iran reserves the right to make
any decision in its national interest,' the report said, noting that the
deal was a political agreement and not a binding treaty. In particular
the placing of restrictions on some aspects of Iran's nuclear activities
for 15 years was 'a serious shortcoming.'" http://t.uani.com/1Z3Dk0i
Reuters:
"A committee of Iran's conservative-dominated parliament gave its
support on Sunday to Iran's nuclear agreement with world powers on
condition there would be no foreign inspections of military sites and no
curbs on developing its missile program. These proposals, contained in a
report by a special parliamentary committee evaluating the agreement,
could become law if passed by the assembly and approved by a top clerical
body that vets proposed legislation. Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali
Khamenei said on Sept 3 he favored a vote in parliament on the nuclear
deal, but it will still go to him, as the country's highest authority
with the ultimate say on all state policy, for approval... 'The vital
necessity of protecting military secrets makes it imperative to ban
visits of foreigners to (military installations) under the guise of
inspections and interviews with nuclear scientists,' the report carried
by Fars state news agency said. 'In order to guarantee the country's
security ... special attention should be given to missile capability ...
and helping countries which fight terrorism and fulfilling the military
needs of friendly countries,' the report, also carried on state
broadcaster IRIB's website, added. The report also said the government
should suspend its measures limiting Iran's nuclear program under the
agreement if any sanctions are reimposed against the Islamic
Republic." http://t.uani.com/1Lby4gN
AFP:
"Iran's parliament speaker on Sunday urged lawmakers to decide on a
landmark agreement reached with world powers that would curb Tehran's
nuclear activities in exchange for the lifting of international
sanctions.The official IRNA news agency quoted Ali Larijani as telling
members of parliament that 'the more it is delayed, it harms us.' Supreme
Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who has final say on all state matters,
has said it is up to legislators to approve or reject the deal. It's not
clear whether parliament will hold an up-or-down vote on the agreement,
or whether a majority of lawmakers support the deal... Iran's parliament
is expected to enter final discussions on the agreement next week. A
special parliamentary committee that is in charge of reviewing the deal
has urged the government to stand firm in its refusal to allow inspectors
to visit military sites or interview nuclear scientists." http://t.uani.com/1GseCeB
Haaretz:
"Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told Fox News on Friday that his
fight against the nuclear deal between Iran and the world powers is done,
and that he is ready to start a dialogue about security understandings
with the Obama administration on the 'day after' the deal, and over
upgrading the Israeli army's offensive and defensive capabilities. Senior
American officials told Haaretz on Thursday that Netanyahu informed the
U.S. administration that his speech on Thursday at the UN General
Assembly, in which he dealt extensively with the nuclear deal, would be
his swan song on his public fight against the accord... 'They told us
right after the speech that the Iran part was intended to close the
chapter on the deal...time will tell if this is the case,' one U.S.
official said, citing Netanyahu's aides... In the press briefing on
Thursday Netanyahu stressed the need to focus on several essential issues
to continue the struggle against Iran. He called for uncompromising
implementation of the nuclear deal, including confirmation that
inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency are carrying out
effective inspections of Iran's nuclear facilities. 'Force Iran to meet all
its nuclear obligations,' said Netanyahu. 'Confirm that Iran's violations
are not swept under the Persian rug.' Second, he called for a
meticulously maintained mechanism for snapback of sanctions in order to
make sure how, when and in response to which violations sanctions will be
reimposed. Finally, he called for international action against Iranian
subversion in the region and its support for terrorist organizations like
Hezbollah and Hamas. Netanyahu believes that the United States must now
actively support others fighting Iranian aggression, first and foremost
Israel." http://t.uani.com/1hlonEN
AFP:
"US Secretary of State John Kerry held an impromptu meeting with his
Iranian counterpart Mohammad Javad Zarif in New York on Friday to discuss
steps to implement the Iran nuclear deal. The meeting was scheduled at
the last minute after a week of intense diplomacy on the Syria crisis. US
officials did not provide details, saying only that the talks focused on
implementing the historic deal reached in July to curb Iran's nuclear
program." http://t.uani.com/1GsdNlP
Syria Conflict
NYT:
"The already fragmented battlefield in Syria grew even more
complicated on Friday, as Russia and Iran expanded their military efforts
to defend the beleaguered Syrian government in defiance of President
Obama, who predicted that their actions would lead only to a 'quagmire.'
In his first comments since Russia began airstrikes on Syrian targets
this week, Mr. Obama said that Moscow was acting 'not out of strength but
out of weakness.' Bristling at criticism of his own Syria policy, he
rejected domestic opponents who offer 'half-baked ideas' that amount to
'a bunch of mumbo-jumbo.' 'An attempt by Russia and Iran to prop up Assad
and try to pacify the population is just going to get them stuck in a
quagmire and it won't work,' Mr. Obama said during a news conference at
the White House on Friday, referring to President Bashar al-Assad of
Syria, a longtime ally of both Russia and Iran. 'And they will be there
for a while if they don't take a different course.' Neither Russia nor
Iran showed signs of listening... American officials said 300 to 600
Iranian troops had arrived in recent days, augmenting some 1,500 who have
been in Syria for months along with more than 5,000 militia fighters from
Hezbollah, the Lebanese Shiite group allied with Iran that has played an
increasingly important role defending government territory... Clearly
frustrated by assertions that Mr. Putin had gotten the upper hand, Mr.
Obama said the Russians were the ones who were isolated. 'Iran and Assad
make up Mr. Putin's coalition at the moment,' he said. 'The rest of the
world makes up ours.'" http://t.uani.com/1QUkwe7
WSJ:
"Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said Sunday that his coalition
with Russia, Iran and Iraq must succeed in Syria's war, suggesting the
alternative would be a region in chaos. The alliance 'must succeed,
otherwise we are facing the destruction of the entire region and not just
one or two states,' Mr. Assad said in the Islamic Republic of Iran News
Network interview. It was his first public comment since Moscow began
airstrikes in Syria in support of his regime last week. Mr. Assad praised
Russia, saying it had the vision and fortitude to defeat rebel forces
seeking to topple him... Mr. Assad also praised the involvement of his
allies Iran and Iraq. Iran has strengthened its presence on the ground
recently through its proxy forces." http://t.uani.com/1LbvNSG
WashPost:
"Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said Sunday that there can be no
reforms in Syria until 'terrorism' has been vanquished, dampening
speculation that Russia's military intervention might herald a swift
settlement to the four-year-old conflict. Speaking in an interview with
Iran's Khabar television station, Assad also ruled out negotiations with
the Western-backed groups opposing his government, saying that they are
driven by foreign agendas and cannot be part of the solution to Syria's
crisis. The comments served as a reminder that Russia's military
intervention appears aimed as much against the opponents of Assad's rule
as the Islamic State, and it probably will not propel any immediate
political breakthrough. Rather, Assad expressed confidence that the
Russian moves, conducted as part of a new alliance of Russia, Iran, Iraq
and Syria, would draw international support away from 'terrorists'
opposed to his rule and doom American-led diplomacy aimed at securing his
departure." http://t.uani.com/1OSXnuP
Reuters:
"Syrian insurgent groups including the powerful Islamist faction
Ahrar al-Sham have called on regional states to forge an alliance against
Russia and Iran in Syria, they said in a statement on Monday. The
insurgents, which also include rebel groups under the umbrella of the
Free Syria Army, said in the statement seen by Reuters that the
cooperation is needed to counter 'the Russian-Iranian alliance occupying
Syria.' The 41 groups which signed the statement did not include al
Qaeda's Syria wing Nusra Front, which is in an insurgent coalition with
Ahrar al-Sham that captured most of Idlib province in the
northwest." http://t.uani.com/1QUiIBE
Reuters:
"Across the Middle East, America's traditional allies are watching
with disbelief as Russia and Iran mount a show of force in Syria, and
they are wondering how it will end. The U.S.-led coalition, created to
combat the jihadi threat from Islamic State in Syria and Iraq, has been
wrong footed by the Russian jets pounding the rebels fighting Syrian
President Bashar al-Assad, and by an influx of Iranian forces. The
question on everyone's mind is: will the United States and its European
and regional Sunni allies intervene to stop President Vladimir Putin from
reversing the gains made by mainstream Syrian rebels after more than four
years of war? Few are holding their breath. Many say, often with
vehemence, that the current drama is the consequence of ongoing Western
inaction and U.S. retreat at critical moments in an ever more
uncontrollable conflict, whose regional dimensions are fast becoming
global... The conflict has taken a deadly trajectory throughout. It began
as a popular uprising against Assad, part of the 'Arab Spring', then
became a sectarian war with regional patrons such as Iran and Saudi
Arabia backing their local proxies." http://t.uani.com/1LdTEpk
Yemen Crisis
Reuters:
"The Saudi-backed Yemeni government of President Abd-Rabbu Mansour
Hadi has decided to sever diplomatic relations with Iran, state media
reported. State news agency Saba, citing an unidentified person at the
Yemeni presidency, said Yemen 'has taken the decision to expel the
Iranian ambassador to Yemen, withdraw the Yemeni envoy to Tehran and
close down its diplomatic mission in Iran.' The source told Saba that the
move was a protest against Iran's 'continued interference in the internal
affairs of Yemen and violation of its national sovereignty,' citing a
recent detention of an Iranian ship loaded with weapons. Saudi-led
coalition forces, which have been battling the Houthis for the past six
months to try to restore Hadi to power, said on Wednesday they had seized
an Iranian fishing boat loaded with weapons intended for the Houthis...
Earlier on Friday state-owned Aden TV reported that the Saudi-backed
Yemeni government has decided to break off diplomatic relations with
Tehran, without elaborating or giving a source for its report. Commenting
on the Aden TV report, Yemeni government spokesman Rajeh Badi later said
the cabinet had not decided yet to sever relations with Iran." http://t.uani.com/1MUbPQ6
Iraq Crisis
Fars (Iran): "A
senior Iraqi politician revealed that his country along with Iran, Russia
and Syria have set up an information exchange center which will pave the
ground for the formation of a quadrilateral operations room in campaign
against terrorism. 'The information center has been formed some days ago after
6 months of discussions,' Political Advisor to the Head of the Islamic
Supreme Council of Iraq Mohsen Hakim told FNA on Sunday. Elaborating on
the information exchange room, he said that the officer in charge is
changed every three months but the reports are provided to the Iranian,
Iraqi, Russian and Syrian armies' joint chief of staff every day to
update their information. Hakim underlined that the information center
can be a preliminary step to set up a joint operations room or
Centcom." http://t.uani.com/1VBbQdO
Anti-Americanism
Fars (Iran):
"Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Navy Commander Rear Admiral
Ali Fadavi said the conflict between Tehran and Washington will never
end, implying that the US would never tolerate an independent actor like
Iran. 'The Americans have been the origin of any action taken against the
Revolution (in Iran) during the last 4 decades; the raison detre of our
quarrel with them is a quarrel between the right and wrong in nature,
hence, this conflict will never end,' Fadavi said, addressing a ceremony
to unveil an exhibition of the latest achievements of the IRGC Navy in
Tehran on Friday night. Stressing that the Americans can never provide
the military and political requirements for waging war on Iran, he said,
'Today the Islamic Republic enjoys such a power and capabilities that the
enemy cannot even think of confronting Iran.' Fadavi, meantime,
underlined that the Americans merely understand the language of force and
power and therefore, Iran is always increasing its military
capabilities." http://t.uani.com/1hloCQ6
Fars (Iran):
"Commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps Aerospace Force
Brigadier General Amir Ali Hajizadeh said all US military bases in the
Middle East are within the range of the IRGC's missiles, but the country
still sees no restriction for boosting its missile capabilities. 'Some of
the threats by the US are aimed at appeasing the Zionists, while others
are for the purpose of domestic consumption (in the US), but what is
important is that they are aware of and acknowledge our capabilities and
deterrence power; we do not feel any need to increase the range of our
missiles and (our perceived enemy) targets are fully within the range of
our missiles,' Brigadier General Hajizadeh said, addressing a group of
professors of Iran's Science and Technology University in Tehran on
Sunday. He pointed to the allegations made about imposing restrictions on
Iran's missile technology, and said, 'We do not see any restriction for
our missiles and the IRGC's preparedness and missile drills are conducted
without a halt and according to our annual time-table, but only some of
them are publicized through the media.'" http://t.uani.com/1Vz5MYL
Human Rights
IranWire:
"Iran's Revolutionary Guards have accused Jason Rezaian, the jailed
Washington Post correspondent, of hatching an elaborate espionage
operation on behalf of the United States government prior to his arrest
in July 2014. On Sunday, October 4, the spokesman for parliament's
National Security and Foreign Policy Commission, Nozar Shafiyee, told
Fars News Agency that intelligence officials from the Revolutionary
Guards had discovered that Rezaian had worked with the United States
government on a plot to topple the Iranian regime. Jason Rezaian was
given the 'duty' of carrying out US Senate plans to 'revive its
pre-Revolution relations with Iran' and overthrow the government,
Shafiyee said, citing a recent report by the Revolutionary Guards.
Rezaian was charged with espionage and three other serious charges in April,
after serving nine months in prison without being told why he had been
arrested. But claims that he was involved, or even initiated, a
largescale operation to topple the regime, while at the same time
boosting the United States government's agenda in the country, are
relatively new. Prior to the latest Revolutionary Guards report, in early
September, the Revolutionary Guards released a film that described how
Rezaian established a sophisticated spy network, linking him with other
journalists who had previously been jailed in the country and were
considered to be enemies of the Iranian regime." http://t.uani.com/1Ltgn2E
Domestic Politics
NYT:
"As the music ended and the crowd rose in a standing ovation,
several women in the audience could be seen with heads bared, the
obligatory head scarves draped around their necks. This was no
underground concert by an indie band in North Tehran, though. Rather, it
was a recital by a classical lute player in Vahdat Hall. As the opera
house emptied, the women casually slipped the scarves back on and walked
out. No one seemed to care, or even to notice. Far from a protest or a
political gesture, this was a fleeting illustration of a newfound
self-confidence, visible across the capital - what Iranians are calling
the 'lifestyle movement.' ... But now, following the election of a
moderate president, Hassan Rouhani, and the signing of the nuclear
agreement this summer, Iranians are increasingly taking to the streets,
this time not to challenge the government but to reclaim public spaces.
Though there are plenty of skeptics who say the changes are minimal and
could be reversed at any time, the lifestyle movement seems to be
spreading across the country." http://t.uani.com/1j97DT5
Foreign Affairs
AP:
"The first plane carrying bodies of Iranian pilgrims killed in the
hajj stampede in Saudi Arabia arrived in Tehran Saturday, nine days after
the disaster that escalated tensions between the two regional rivals.
President Hassan Rouhani and other senior officials were at the airport
for the arrival of the plane, which carried 104 bodies. State TV says
another flight is due later in the day... Iran has blamed Saudi
'mismanagement' for the stampede, which took place after two waves of
pilgrims converged on a narrow street, causing hundreds to suffocate or
be trampled. It has also accused Riyadh of a cover-up, saying the real
death toll exceeds 4,700, without providing evidence to support its
claim... 'It should become clear whether some individuals were guilty in
this incident or not. If it is proven that some officers were culpable,
under no circumstances will we let the blood of our loved ones go in
vain,' Rouhani said. 'In this incident, the language we have used has
been the language of emotions, brotherhood and politeness and when necessary,
we have used the language of diplomacy. If deemed necessary, the Islamic
Republic of Iran will use its language of might,' he added, without
elaborating. Gen. Mohammad Ali Jafari, commander of the elite
Revolutionary Guard, warned that Iran was ready to take 'revenge' over
the incident. 'The Guard is resolutely ready, if required at any time or
place, to defend the dignity and honor of Muslims, especially the Iranian
people, against the tyrannical and ignorant Saudi rulers, and will exact
tough revenge for this horrible crime from the Al Saud,' he said in
comments posted on the Guard website Saturday, referring to Saudi
Arabia's ruling family." http://t.uani.com/1OfHAol
AFP:
"Iran has expelled a senior official from Bahrain's embassy in
Tehran in apparent retaliation after the Sunni-ruled Gulf state did the
same to its envoy in Manama. 'The number two official in Bahrain's
embassy in Iran is persona non grata and Mr Bassam al-Dossari must leave
Iran's territory within 72 hours,' the official IRNA news agency quoted a
foreign ministry statement as saying late Friday. Bahrain on Thursday
recalled its ambassador from Iran and ordered Tehran's envoy to leave
within 72 hours, citing Iranian 'interference' in its affairs... On
Friday, Bahrain took its protest to the United Nations by submitting a
complaint against Iran. 'Iran has chosen the path of escalation in an
attempt to exert control over its neighbours by continuing to interfere
in internal affairs' of neighbouring countries, BNA news agency quoted
Foreign Minister Khaled bin Ahmed al-Khalifa as telling UN chief Ban
Ki-moon." http://t.uani.com/1LdUDWr
Opinion &
Analysis
Ray Takeyh in CFR:
"Viewed one way, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani's UN address
appeared to offer the prospect of a new partner in calming the roiling
Mideast. Noting diplomacy yielded the nuclear deal, Rouhani dangled the
possibility of further cooperation: 'Considering the fact that this deal
has created an objective basis and set an appropriate model, it can serve
as a basis for foundational change in the region,' he said. Yet taken in
full, Rouhani's speech was a typical exercise in Tehran doublespeak that
crystallized the Orwellian cosmology of the Islamic Republic. Rouhani
began his list of indictments by castigating the United Nations for
'imposition of sanctions against the Iranian nation and government as a
result of misunderstandings and sometimes overt hostilities of some
countries.' Rouhani neglected to mention that the sanctions resulted from
Iran's systematic violations of its obligations under the Nuclear
Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and its obstinate refusal to adjust its
course for over a decade. In an even more intriguing passage, the
president of a country Washington rates as a leading sponsor of terrorism
bemoaned that 'the greatest and most important threat to the world today
is for terrorist organizations to become terrorist states.' Rouhani
proceeded to assure, 'We are prepared to assist in the eradication of
terrorism and in paving the way for democracy and ensuring that arms do
not dictate the course of events in the region.' As one of the masters of
a repressive regime, Rouhani in his UN speech displayed no compunction
about proclaiming: 'As we aided the establishment of democracy in Iraq
and Afghanistan, we are prepared to help bring about democracy in Syria
and also Yemen.' All this makes sense if one accepts Rouhani's claim that
the cause of violence and disorder in the Middle East today is the 'U.S.
military invasion of Afghanistan and Iraq and the U.S.s' unwarranted
support for the inhumane actions of the Zionist regime against the
oppressed nation of Palestine.' The Middle East today is indeed undergoing
an unprecedented transition beset by collapse of state power, rise of
extremist ideologies, and the probable proliferation of nuclear
technologies. Iran is in many ways contributing to all of the region's
maladies. Just because Iran is part of the problem does not mean it can
contribute to a solution... There are many factors behind the collapse of
the regional order, but one of them is Iran's deliberate policy of
meddling in the region. In Iraq, it is Iran's policy to keep that nation
divided as a means of preventing it from contesting Iran's hegemonic
aspirations. And in Syria, Iran's enabling of President Bashar al-Assad
has only prolonged that civil war and contributed to one of the greatest
humanitarian catastrophes in the history of the Middle East. Hovering
over all this is the fact that the region is increasingly polarized along
sectarian lines. The two Gulf giants, Iran and Saudi Arabia, are both
fanning the flames of sectarianism. The Saudis have been a source of
assistance for an entire spectrum of radical Sunni movements for a long
time. Iran is also contributing its share to the regional disorder. In
Iraq, Iran has misused its influence there to push for Shia hegemony and
has aided Shia militias that have done much to exacerbate Sunni anxieties.
In the Gulf, Iran continues to meddle in the internal affairs of the
sheikdoms and exploit their Shia populations to weaken the Sunni Arab
monarchs. Lebanon's Hezbollah Party is not just an instrument of Iran's
regional surge but also keeps Lebanon divided against itself. And the
butchery of Assad, Iran's client, in Syria remains the greatest
instigator of Sunni militancy. As the Sunni populations across the Middle
East see the loss of their influence in critical states and the collapse
of seats of Sunni power, many are turning to radical forces, such as the
Islamic State, that are promising salvation on the cheap. And given the
conditions of today's Middle East, any demise of the Islamic State is
likely to be followed by the rise of another vicious militant group. The
Islamic State is not the cause of the region's maladies but one of its
most tragic symptoms... The United States stands at an important turning
point, worthy of a reasoned debate. The resurrection of the state system
in the Middle East and the stemming of the tide of its many civil wars
will require a substantial investment of funds and probable deployment of
troops in places such as Iraq and Syria. It may come to pass that sensing
diminishing prospects of success in the Middle East and the lure of
opportunities elsewhere, the U.S. public will recoil from such a massive
intervention. Still, it is a debate that Americans must soon have." http://t.uani.com/1JOClph
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Eye on Iran is a periodic news summary from United Against
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