Tag Archive | Iran

49329666788_f7650232ed_b

The Obsolescence of Sanctions against Iran

The deadly impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on Iran has given a new focus to the ongoing debate about the purpose, effectiveness and relevance of US sanctions imposed on the country. Many leaders, political figures, and organisations have questioned the continuance of these sanctions. These include the UN Secretary General, the UN Special Rapporteurs on […]

Read the full story

Posted in Iran, Middle East, US, World

Image by Alshareefsn

Saudi Arabia in Transition: Mohammed bin Salman and Vision 2030

A new country is gradually emerging from the desert terrain of Saudi Arabia. Mohammed bin Salman, or MBS as the Crown Prince is commonly known, is at the helm. At 32 years of age, Mohammed bin Salman is the youngest minister of defence in the world, and is offering an ambitious programme of economic, religious, […]

Read the full story

Posted in corruption, Economic Security, Global Economy, Saudi Arabia, World

Image by Yeowatzup

Iran Nuclear Deal: Tehran Looks to Mitigate Effects of US Withdrawal

The withdrawal of the Trump Administration from the Iran nuclear deal was a long time coming. Concluded in 2015 after months of negotiations between Iran and the P5+1 countries (United States, France, United Kingdom, Russia, China and Germany), the agreement seemingly provided a win-win outcome both in terms of the international community’s desire to rein […]

Read the full story

Posted in Economics, Global Economy, Iran, Middle East, US, World

An Iraqi-Kurdish Conflict Casts Doubt on the “Shia Crescent” Theory

An alliance between Kurdish leftists and Iraqi militias shows why it’s dangerous to overestimate Iran’s role in the so-called “Shia crescent.” In light of the breakdown of state structures in Iraq and Syria, it’s tempting to try to build narratives that portray entire ethnic groups or sects as pawns of great powers like Iran, as […]

Read the full story

Posted in Conflict, Iran, Iraq, Islam, Middle East, Religion, Security Issues, Syria, Terrorism, Turkey, World

2011_Bahraini_uprising_-_March_(214)

Qatar’s Actions Destabilize Bahrain and Gulf Region

Grievances between Qatar and much of the rest of Middle East go back decades and help explain the schism that burst into the open recently and led to the widespread boycott of Qatar. Take the case of bad blood between Bahrain and Qatar. Bahrain is still angered over Qatar’s attempts to use its vast funds […]

Read the full story

Posted in Conflict, Middle East, Saudi Arabia, World

Image by US Government Work

Interview: A Diplomatic View – From the Middle East to Obama’s U.K. Trip

I sat down with the U.S. Deputy Chief of Mission for the U.K., Minister Elizabeth Dibble, to discuss the Obama visit, the Middle East and the complex Iran-Saudi relationship. The Obama Visit to the U.K. D.M.: You touched on President Obama’s visit in your talk and what he said about the EU referendum. What for […]

Read the full story

Posted in Conflict, Interviews, Iran, Israel, Israeli Palestinian Conflict, Middle East, Political Security, Saudi Arabia, Security Issues, Syria, US, World, Yemen

Image by Ali Khamenei website

Getting the Facts Straight About Iran

Critics of Iran Thus far, the Trump administration has adopted a harsher stance towards Iran than the Obama Administration. In a recent press statement, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson reiterated the common statement that “Iran remains a leading state sponsor of terror”. More recently in Astana, the agreement between Russia, Turkey, and Iran to create […]

Read the full story

Posted in Iran, Israeli Palestinian Conflict, Middle East, Political Security, Saudi Arabia, Terrorism, World

Photography by whiskeybravo

Iran and the West: Why 1953 Still Matters

“It is reasonable to argue that but for the coup, Iran would be a mature democracy. So traumatic was the coup’s legacy that when the Shah finally departed in 1979, many Iranians feared a repetition of 1953, which was one of the motivations for the student seizure of the U.S. Embassy. The hostage crisis, in […]

Read the full story

Posted in Africa, Culture, Europe, Middle East, Security Issues, World

Image courtesy of 10b travelling

Unifying the Caucasus

The South Caucasus is a tribally divided region, rich in natural resources, that could wield considerable influence if unified, and could economically compete with Russia and the West. When asked to describe “the Caucasus”, most people reply with a blank stare. Some might guess you are referring to one of the more unusual facets of […]

Read the full story

Posted in Middle East, Russia, Security Issues, World

Image by tribbles1971

When You Have a Gun, Every Problem Looks Like a Nail

The shooting of journalist Alison Parker and cameraman Adam Ward live on breakfast television in Virginia was unimaginably horrific. Sadly, even the harrowing screams of Ms Parker in her last seconds are unlikely to change the U.S. debate about guns, but they should. These TV journalists were not operating in certain parts of Syria, Iraq, or Libya where they […]

Read the full story

Posted in US, World

Image by World Economic Forum

Is Iran Headed For Another Recession?

Garnering over 50 percent of the vote, Hassan Rouhani assumed a decisive victory on June 2013 and became Iran’s new president after Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s eight year long reign. Vowing to pull the country out of its sanction filled, depressed economy, he won the elections by a landslide. Less than three months ago, during a December […]

Read the full story

Posted in Economic Security, Economics, Global Economy, Iran, Middle East, Security Issues, World

Image by SpeakerBoehner

Boehner Makes Republicans ‘Tools and Dupes’ of Netanyahu’s Election Campaign

This article was first published in The Huffington Post on 3rd March 2015. One of the defining precepts of the American Republic from its earliest days to today has been that the president of the United States represents the country in its dealings with the world. It is a view which the Supreme Court unambiguously […]

Read the full story

Posted in Iran, Middle East, US, World

Image by Abode of Chaos

Who can bring unity to Iraq in 2014? An interview with Joel Wing

Every December, California based analyst Joel Wing and I discuss the coming 12 months in Iraq. Joel has been the author of the Musings on Iraq blog since 2008, providing detailed analysis of political, economic and security developments in Iraq. His work is frequently cited by leading journals and news outlets. The last year in […]

Read the full story

Posted in Conflict, Interviews, Iraq, Middle East, Security Issues, Syria, Terrorism, World


Like Us On Facebook

Facebook Pagelike Widget

Donate to Global Politics

The team of academics and students who work at Global Politics do so on a voluntary basis. If you like our content please consider making a donation to help meet the increasingly high running costs of the site.




Privacy Policy

To learn more about how Global Politics uses cookies please refer to our Privacy Policy.