Search

The article discusses the role of Iran in helping the United States to turn Baghdad into a model regional economy. Until now, Iran has been starved for goods, outside capital, and technology, thanks in part to U.S. sanctions. To date, foreign investment has been minimal -- only about $2 billion per year recently. But local entrepreneurs say that big regional groups, which have grown wary of putting money into the U.S., are starting to check out Iran. The country has racked up growth in the 5% range for four years running, thanks to high oil revenues, abundant rainfall, and a gradual easing of the choking economic restrictions ushered in by the 1979 revolution. Business leaders think a conservative majority in Parliament and the likely election of a conservative President next year could end the gridlock between the Majlis and the conservative-dominated Guardian Council, which has blocked much reformist legislation. Business circles in Tehran are even buzzing with hopes that the victorious conservatives will try to shore up their position by ending Iran's seemingly endless standoff with the U.S. Such a move would be popular, and there's logic to the notion that just as the tough-talking President Richard M. Nixon was able to break the American logjam with China, only Iran's conservatives can safely cut a deal with the Great Satan. Iran despised both the Taliban in Afghanistan and Iraq's strongman, Saddam Hussein, and applauded the toppling of both. The Iranian government has since encouraged local businesses to supply both countries with goods that range from fuel to cement. While some Iranian factions may be contributing to Iraqi turmoil, the mainstream wants calm to return to its neighbor to hasten the departure of U.S. troops.

The article discusses the changing circumstances of the petro-czars, who include Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, and Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez. According to the article, decreasing oil prices have created a diplomatic bright spot in the global recession by weakening these unfriendly regimes. Russia's stock market has fallen 75% since the summer of 2008. Iran's inflation is at 26% while Venezuela will draw down its foreign assets by 38%.

This article discusses military battles between Israel and Lebanon in the summer of 2006. The demise of the Lebanese democratic government during Israeli attacks is discussed, as is the attitude of Beirut, Lebanon residents towards attacks to their city. Possible intervention from U.S. military forces is also discussed.

This article explains that Iranians no longer have a fervor about the Islamic religion, and are content to take advantage of the spoils that wealth brings. Iranians are more lenient about dress and socializing, and take part in all the luxuries that their wealth affords them. Islamic revolution is still ingrained in the culture, but the mullah state is not so strongly opposed to open dissent.

This article reports that, in 2006, the apparent prosperity in Iran might prove to be an illusion. Iranian businessmen and foreign investors are alarmed by the anti-Western rhetoric of president Ahmadinejad and dismayed with his incoherent economic policies. Iran profited mightily from the record high oil prices of 2006, but much was squandered on support for foreign anti-Israel organizations and on extravagant subsidy programs for the Iranian poor. Business confidence and foreign investment is flagging.

Focuses on business in Iran under recently elected hard-liner President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. How Ahmadinejad's zeal and inexperience are proving liabilities; Impact of Iran's worsening relationship with the West on foreign investors; Impact of erratic domestic policies on Iran's local investors; Relationship between Ahmadinejad and iran's top religious authority, Ali Khamenei; Outlook for continued tensions; Views of analysts, who say Khamenei may take on a bigger role.

Discusses how the Iranian business community is reeling from the Iran's June 24, 2005 presidential elections. Expectation that pro-business candidate Hashemi Rafsanjani would win; Hard-liner candidate Mahmoud Ahmadinejad who triumphed by a landslide; How the business community is trying to figure out what the conservative victory means for them; Background on Ahmadinejad; Concern of executives that the business climate could deteriorate.

Discusses the United States' relationship with Iran. Comments of U.S. President George W. Bush on Iran; How Bush's administration is betting that political change will transform Iran before Tehran has the capability to produce nuclear weapons; Assertion that nuclear weapons are favored in Iran; Efforts to slow or halt Iran's development of nuclear weapons; Speculation on the outcome.

Focuses on Iran's nuclear energy program. Claim of Iran that it has a right to peaceful nuclear technology under the nuclear nonproliferation treaty; Agreement between Iranian and European negotiators that in exchange for European benefits, Iran will suspend all activities that make it possible to build a nuclear bomb; Possibility for a nuclear arms race in the area surrounding Iran; Reference to the book "The Persian Puzzle: The Conflict Between Iran and America," by Kenneth M. Pollack; Importance of the diplomatic negotiations in preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear capabilities.

Discusses the possible threat posed by Iran's nuclear program and whether or not the West should intervene. Details of Iran's program, which is building centrifuges that can enrich uranium to weapons-grade strength; Role of the United Nations; Profile of Iran's government and economy; Concern of neighboring countries over Iran's growing nuclear weapons program.

Reports that Iran's nuclear crisis will not be resolved with the October 21 agreement between Iran and Britain, France and Germany, in which Iran agreed to provide complete information on its nuclear programs and sign a protocol that will open the country to inspectors. Claim that Tehran has so many hurdles to overcome to meet the demands of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) that tensions are bound to rise again; Calls by U.S. Republicans on Iran to dismantle all of its nuclear activities; Concerns about how open Iran will be to IAEA inspectors.

This article explains that a long-standing conflict between the U.S. and Iran is threatening to escalate over various issues, including Iran's alleged nuclear weapons program and U.S. suspicions of Iranian interference in U.S. efforts to stabilize Iraq. U.S. is urging the International Atomic Energy Agency to declare Iran in violation of a nuclear nonproliferation treaty. U.S. is considering $50 million in military assistance to Iranian opposition groups.

The article presents an interview with Iraqi diplomat Mohammad Jafari. According to Jafari the United States still has an opportunity to establish security in Iraq. In the interview Jafari comments on a U.S. military raid at a Iraqi outpost in Irbil. Jafari asserts that the raid was a mistake by the U.S., and that they arrested innocent men.

Presents an outlook for the administration of Iran President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Percentage of the votes received by the president; Implications of Ahmadinejad's election on the foreign relations and economic conditions of the country; Speculations on the plans of the president for the country.