Departing from Geneva after another negotiation charade with the P5+1, Iran’s Foreign Minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif, assured reporters: “we are all on the same wavelength.” Secretary of State John F. Kerry, for his part, stated “we’re closer now … … [Read more...] about Obama’s Back-Door Dealing with Iran*
ACD/EWI Blog
Cyber Insecurity Unchallenged
A recent report on U.S. business community's acute vulnerability to cyber attacks - 96 percent according to Ernst & Young - is alarming. This report is troubling not only because of its findings - lack of proper cyber defense capabilities - but … [Read more...] about Cyber Insecurity Unchallenged
Iran to Increase Birth Rate—Looking Forward to the End of Sanctions
Recall the 28-year-old Iranian woman who wrote to Foreign Minister Zafir about her plight, demanding that the government do whatever was necessary to remove the sanctions and improve the economy. Among her many almost heart-rending woes was the … [Read more...] about Iran to Increase Birth Rate—Looking Forward to the End of Sanctions
The Revolutionary Guards’ International Drug Trade*
Summary The Revolutionary Guards are significantly involved in the international drug trade, both directly and through proxies. This involvement provides the organization with access to sources of financing that bypass international sanctions, as … [Read more...] about The Revolutionary Guards’ International Drug Trade*
Egypt’s Religious Persecutions
On August 22, 2013, Dr. Abdel Hadi al-Qasi, Egypt's predominant Sufi leader, speaking on behalf of 'millions of Sufis in Egypt', made the following statement: "President Obama, it seems that the U.S. administration, at this current time, instead of … [Read more...] about Egypt’s Religious Persecutions
Iran’s Political Preachers Are Back
You’ll be happy to know that nuclear negotiations between the West and Iran are going swimmingly. “The two sides’ detailed talks were very good,” said Iran’s Ambassador to the IAEA Reza Najafi. The Iranian Press TV reported, “a joint statement at the … [Read more...] about Iran’s Political Preachers Are Back
Beyond Obamacare Lies the World Waiting …
With the U.S. transfixed by the Obama Administration’s massively bungled attempt to nationalize one-sixth of the economy, the health welfare system, the rest of the world watches the slow motion unfolding of another debacle: the loss of post-World … [Read more...] about Beyond Obamacare Lies the World Waiting …
The Four Fingers Holding Up the Muslim Brotherhood
The Muslim Brotherhood reign over Egypt was abruptly ended on July 3. While the streets of Cairo are quieter now, the four-finger sign, known as the "R4bia" salute, is used by the Brotherhhod supporters in Egypt and beyond. Moreover the Brothers … [Read more...] about The Four Fingers Holding Up the Muslim Brotherhood
Rouhani’s Role in Advancing Iran’s Nuclear Agenda
Whoever "re-branded" Hassan Rouhani as a "moderate" and "reformer," setting him apart from the radical Shiite regime in Iran, has done a terrific job. In a campaign interview (May 27) prior to his election as Iran's president, he took full credit for … [Read more...] about Rouhani’s Role in Advancing Iran’s Nuclear Agenda
Pragmatism a la Islam
In 1994, then mayor of Isbanbul, Turkey's Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan famously proclaimed himself an Islamist-a "servant of shari'a." Further, he said that, for Islamists, "democracy is just the train we board to reach our destination. When … [Read more...] about Pragmatism a la Islam