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Congress Debates War, Sanctions, Diplomacy and MEK with Top Obama Officials
Thursday, May 16, 2013
By: NIAC Staff - News
The House and Senate each held hearings on Iran policy, including sanctions, diplomacy, and war with top administration officials from the State and Treasury departments.
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Back to the Future in Iran's Election
Thursday, May 16, 2013
By: Reza Marashi & Sahar Namazikhah (Special to National Interest)
As the field of candidates for Iran's presidential election takes shape, the most intriguing entry into the race is Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani. His candidacy is a threat to all other candidates--and more critically, it presents a major challenge to Iran's most powerful man, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
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Why Now Is the Time For Syria Diplomacy
Thursday, May 16, 2013
By: Trita Parsi (Special to the Daily Beast)
A peaceful and sustainable resolution to the Syrian crisis is not within reach in the short-term. But a significant reduction in the violence and bloodshed can be achieved because the appetite for diplomacy is stronger now than at anytime in the past two years.
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Why Sanctions on Iran are not Working
Wednesday, May 15, 2013
By: Trita Parsi & Reza Marashi (Special to AlJazeera)
By failing to offer a credible exit from the sanctions pain, neither the Iranian government nor stakeholders in the Iranian system believe that a change in nuclear policy will lead to the alleviation of their economic suffering.
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Financial Times: Global Insight: Iran Elections Raise Problems for Regime
Tuesday, May 14, 2013
By: Roula Khalaf (Financial Times)
"If you pull the trick once, next time the other side is aware of that trick. So can you still pull it?" says Trita Parsi, author of A Single Roll of the Dice, a book about US diplomacy with Iran.
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Three Paths toward a Nuclear Deal with Iran
Tuesday, May 14, 2013
By: Reza Marashi (Special to Ploughshares Fund)
1) Balance the offer sheet.
2) Broaden the discussion.
3) Start with the end in mind.
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Washington Post: Last-Minute Entries Reshape Iran's Presidential Field
Saturday, May 11, 2013
By: Jason Rezaian (Washington Post)
"Iran's election picture will remain hazy until vetting is done -- perhaps longer," said Reza Marashi, research director at the National Iranian American Council in Washington. "But today reaffirms Lesson 1 in Iranian politics: Iran has politics."
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New Congressional Sanctions Push Aimed at Killing Iran Diplomacy
Friday, May 10, 2013
By: Jamal Abdi (Special Lobe Log)
The notion that U.S. sanctions on Iran are supposed to act as diplomatic leverage to get a nuclear deal may be dispelled once and for all by a new Congressional action now in the works.
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Washington Post: Former Iranian President Rafsanjani Ponders Run in Upcoming Election
Friday, May 10, 2013
By: Jason Rezaian (Washington Post)
"Rafsanjani, together with others that he's worked with on and off for decades, has the potential to mobilize. And pre-election mobilization in Iran can lead to unpredictable outcomes -- as we saw in 2009," said Reza Marashi, research director at the National Iranian American Council in Washington.
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Iran Sanctions Stifling Iran's Freedom Movement
Thursday, May 9, 2013
By: Ryan Costello (Special to CNN)
Sweeping sanctions on Iran appear to have claimed their latest victim: the Samsung App store. Samsung has reportedly decided to block access to its App store in Iran from May 22.
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Iranian-American Brothers Lead Charge To Reform US Educational System
Thursday, May 9, 2013
By: Trita Parsi (Special to Iranian.com)
Say Iranian-American and few will think social entrepreneur or political advocate. Engineer? Yes. Doctor? Certainly. Reality show star? Yes, a few. Lawyer? Definitely. But a force for political reform and change? Not quite yet.
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Meet the Presidential Contenders in Iran's Upcoming Election
Thursday, May 9, 2013
By: Sina Toosi (Special to Muftah)
As the Islamic Republic of Iran's eleventh presidential election draws near, numerous individuals, parties, and groups are entering into the electoral fray. With less than five weeks until the June 14th vote, however, no specific candidates or factions stand out as clear and viable contenders for the presidency.
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New York Times: Senate Bill Would Halt Iran's Access to an Estimated $100 Billion in Cash
Wednesday, May 8, 2013
By: Rick Glad Stone (New York Times)
"When we've cemented a sanctions escalation path, we're creating a trajectory toward actual confrontation," said Trita Parsi, the founder of NIAC, a Washington group that opposes sanctions. Some Iranian leaders, he said, see the sanctions "as a train that can only go in one direction and has no brakes."
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Washington Spectator: The Failed Neocon Attempt to Destroy an American Anti-war Organization
Monday, May 6, 2013
By: M.J. Rosenberg Washington Spectator
The war over war with Iran has many battlefronts. Inside Washington, the battle line is between a small coalition of peace and security, non-proliferation and religious groups opposing war and favoring a peaceful solution to the stand off with Iran, and a well-funded war machine comprising neoconservative organizations.
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Newly Appointed Iranian-American Judge Makes History
Monday, May 6, 2013
By: Solmaz Elmi-Sarabi
On Thursday, May 2, 2013, Susan Amini was appointed to King County Superior Court judge position 20 in Washington State. Ms. Amini is the second Iranian American to serve as a Superior Court judge in the country, and the first of Middle Eastern descent in Washington state history.
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NIAC Ambassador Update: March & April 2013
Thursday, May 2, 2013
By: Yasmin Radjy
NIAC Ambassadors are volunteer leaders responsible for engaging local members through social gatherings, policy trainings, civic engagement workshops, community service projects, in-district meetings with legislators, and more.
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You're Invited: DC Happy Hour & Community Organizing Training
Wednesday, May 1, 2013
By: Sahar Fahimi
Please join NIAC's staff, ambassadors, and fellow members for two exciting May events on 5/2 and 5/9, respectively.
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Wilson Center: The Media & Iran's Nuclear Program: An analysis of U.S. and U.K. coverage, 2009-2012
Monday, April 29, 2013
By: Darya Razavi, Middle East Progra
Marashi argued further that there has not been an honest and thorough discussion in the media about the economic and political viability of war with Iran, taking into account the potential costs and benefits associated with military action.
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You're Invited: Dallas Women for World Peace Panel & Iranian-Israeli Peace Dialogue
Monday, April 29, 2013
By: Yasmin Radjy
Please join NIAC's Dallas Ambassadors, Iranians for Peace and Justice (IPJ), and SMU Amnesty International (AI) for two exciting events on Saturday, May 4, 2013.
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State Department Report Condemns Iran's Human Rights Violations
Friday, April 26, 2013
By: NIAC Staff
The Iranian government's human rights violations have escalated since the 2009 presidential elections, according to the U.S. Department of State's 2012 Iran Country Report on Human Rights Practices.
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Congressman Urges U.S. to Foment Ethnic Tension in Iran
Friday, April 26, 2013
By: Solmaz Elmi-Sarabi
Dana Rohrabacher (R-CA), Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigation, has never been shy about promoting ethnic separatism and supporting violent groups as a way to pressure Iran.
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You're Invited: Bay Area Legislative Training with NIAC Policy Director, Jamal Abdi
Thursday, April 25, 2013
By: Yasmin Radjy
Please join Bay Area NIAC ambassadors, members, and supporters on Saturday, April 27 at UC Hastings for a training on important policy issues such as sanctions and war prevention.
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The Guardian: Ahmadinejad's Ally Could Pose New Challenge to Iran's Ruling Clergy
Tuesday, April 23, 2013
By: Jason Rezaian (The Guardian)
"The rules of the game have been known and largely followed for three decades, and the cutthroat nature of Iranian politics is now being shaped by the Ahmadinejad camp repeatedly pushing the boundaries of what's acceptable by the Islamic republic's own standards," said Reza Marashi.
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US Raises the Stakes in Military Game of Chicken with Iran
Monday, April 22, 2013
By: Jamal Abdi &Solmaz Elmi-Sarabi (Special to PS Europe)
While inside the US Congress the sentiment may be that the military option against Iran has to be more credible - a spate of new reports suggest that it is actually the diplomatic option that is in dire need of a boost.
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Washington Post: Ahmadinejad's Top Aide Ponders Run
Friday, April 19, 2013
By: Jason Rezaian (Washington Post)
"The rules of the game have been known and largely followed for three decades, and the cutthroat nature of Iranian politics is now being shaped by the Ahmadinejad camp repeatedly pushing the boundaries of what's acceptable by the Islamic Republic's own standards," said Reza Marashi.
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You're Invited: UCLA Iran Panel & NIAC Chai Social
Friday, April 19, 2013
By: Yasmin Radjy
Join NIAC's LA Ambassadors on 4/23 for an important panel discussion on Iran at UCLA followed by a chai social at Shaherzad restaurant.
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Time for Humanitarian Fix to Iran Sanctions
Friday, April 19, 2013
By: Jamal Abdi - Analysis
In the past week, Iran has been struck by two earthquakes that have killed dozens of people and leveled hundreds of homes. And because of the political standoff with Iran's government, Americans--including Iranian Americans with family in the affected regions--are largely unable to provide any help.
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Iranian-American Coalition Reiterates Call for Obama to Allow Earthquake Relief
Wednesday, April 17, 2013
By: NIAC Press Release
In the aftermath of the second deadly earthquake to strike Iran within a week, a coalition of organizations have reiterated their call for President Obama to ensure sanctions do not impede humanitarian assistance.
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Don't Let Sanctions Block Relief for Iran's Earthquake Victims
Tuesday, April 16, 2013
By: NIAC Action Alert
In the aftermath of two severe earthquakes, it is vital that relief is not obstructed. Please take a moment to send a letter to President Obama to urge him to act so that sanctions do not in any way block earthquake relief efforts in Iran.
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Senate Resolution Brings U.S. Closer to War Against Iran
Tuesday, April 16, 2013
By: NIAC Press Release
The National Iranian American Council strongly opposes today's Senate Foreign Relations Committee adoption of S.Res.65, a resolution conveying U.S. support for potential Israeli military strikes on Iran.
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Senate Considers Iraq-Style Regime Change Policy for Iran
Friday, April 12, 2013
By: Ryan Costello (Special to Huffington Post)
A bipartisan group of Senators led by Mark Kirk (R-IL) is reportedly considering a new, draconian round of sanctions on Iran that could only be lifted if Iran moves "toward a free and democratically elected government."
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Coalition to Obama: Ensure Sanctions Don't Block Iran Earthquake Relief
Thursday, April 11, 2013
By: NIAC Press Release
In the aftermath of a magnitude 6.3 earthquake that struck Iran, a coalition of Iranian-American, human rights, and humanitarian organizations called on President Obama to ensure sanctions do not impede relief efforts.
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NIAC to Appeal Cost Sharing Decision in Lawsuit Against Daieoleslam
Wednesday, April 10, 2013
By: NIAC Statement
Today, Judge John Bates issued a cost sharing opinion in NIAC's defamation lawsuit against Seyyed Hassan Daieoleslam. Although Daieoleslam failed to demonstrate that his accusations against NIAC were true, Judge Bates ordered that NIAC bear some of the discovery costs. NIAC has already filed an appeal of this order.
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Bridging Divides with the Iranian People
Tuesday, April 9, 2013
By: Solmaz Elmi-Sarabi - News
A new report focuses on focuses on revamping the U.S. diplomatic strategy regarding Iran, including by correcting the unintended impacts of sanctions.
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The Washington Post: Diplomats See 'Wide Gulf' as Iran Talks End in a Muddle
Saturday, April 6, 2013
By: Joby Warrick (Washington Post)
"While the U.S. has been focused on red lines, in Kazakhstan, the Iranians were looking for the finishing line," said Parsi, author of "A Single Roll of the Dice," a book on the Obama administration's Iran policies. "Ultimately, all sides must take risks for peace."
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New York Times: North Korea Events Complicate Nuclear Talks With Iran
Friday, April 5, 2013
By: DAVID M. HERSZENHORN & RICK GLADSTONE
"Capitulation is seen as a greater threat to the regime's survival than even a military confrontation with the United States," said a study by the National Iranian American Council.
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HuffingtonPost Live: Why Sanctions?
Thursday, April 4, 2013
By: Ahmed Shihab-Eldin (HuffingtonPost Live)
A new report from the National Iranian American Council concludes that despite massive economic pain on regular citizens, the Iranian government won't shift its nuclear policy. It's hurting the middle class and the poor, so what's a better way?
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Watch: Iranian-Jewish Dialogue on the Cyrus Cylinder
Thursday, April 4, 2013
By: NIAC Staff - News
Last week, NIAC co-hosted an Iranian-Jewish Dialogue on the Cyrus Cylinder with the Center for World Religions, Diplomacy, and Conflict Resolution (CRDC) and the Federation of Zoroastrian Associations of North America (FEZANA).
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Why the Iran Sanctions Don't Work
Wednesday, April 3, 2013
By: Bijan Khajehpour, Reza Marashi Special to the National Interest
Iran's responses to sanctions in 3 separate but mutually reinforcing categories: 1 Adapting it's economy to bend but not break. 2 Increasing efforts to target Western and Israeli interests around the world. 3 Creating new facts on the ground regarding its nuclear program.
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NIAC's DC Spring Fundraiser Reception & Dinner
Friday, March 29, 2013
By: Sahar Fahimi
You Are Cordially Invited to NIAC's Spring Fundraiser Reception & Dinner: Strengthening Iranian Americans' Voice in Washington Amid Sanctions and the Threat of War Featuring Colonel Lawrence Wilkerson, Fomer Chief of Staff to Secretary of State Colin Powell
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NIAC Presents Iran Sanctions Report on Capitol Hill
Thursday, March 28, 2013
By: NIAC Staff - News
Over seventy Congressional staff members attended a Capitol Hill briefing on Wednesday presenting the new report by NIAC that examines the impact of sanctions on Iran's nuclear policy.
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Lobe Log Foreign Policy: NIAC Report Reveals Disconnect Between Iran Sanctions' Goals and Results
Thursday, March 28, 2013
By: Farideh Farhi, Lobe Log Foreign Policy
As the NIAC report points out, in Iran's contested political terrain, what movers and shakers cannot do and have not done is call upon Iran's leadership to give in to demands and pressures that are identified as both unreasonable and harmful.
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Foreign Policy: Our Myopic Approach to Iran
Wednesday, March 27, 2013
By: Stephen Walt, Foreign Policy
When historians of American foreign policy look back a few decades from now, they will shake their heads in wonder at the incompetence of the U.S. effort to deal with Iran. If you don't believe me, you should take a look at a new report from the National Iranian-American Council.
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Lobe Log Foreign Policy: Iran's Nuclear Activities Go On Despite Sanctions
Wednesday, March 27, 2013
By: Jasmin Ramsey, Lobe Log Foreign Policy
"[Iran's nuclear programme] appears at best entirely unaffected by the sanctions or at worst partly driven by them in the sense that escalating sanctions as a bargaining chip also gives Iran the incentive to advance its program for the same reason," argue report authors Bijan Khajehpour, Reza Marashi and Trita Parsi.
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Report: Why Sanctions On Iran Aren't Working
Tuesday, March 26, 2013
By: Bijan Khajehpour, Reza Marashi, & Trita Parsi (Special Report)
Iran is currently facing the most severe and strictest sanctions ever imposed on a country. Though these measures seek to curb Iranian nuclear ambitions, a recent IAEA report suggests continued nuclear advances by Iran. This begs the question: are sanctions affecting Tehran's nuclear calculus?
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The Christian Science Monitor: Report: Sanctions may be speeding Iran's nuclear advancement
Tuesday, March 26, 2013
By: Scott Peterson, The Christian Science Monitor
"It's critical to understand how massive pain is being channeled and absorbed in Iran, because just sitting there expecting pain to deliver results is somewhat naive." says coauthor Trita Parsi, president of NIAC.
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NIAC Applauds Extension of Mandate for UN Iran Humans Rights Monitor
Friday, March 22, 2013
By: NIAC Press Release
NIAC applauds the United Nations Human Rights Council's vote today to extend the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Iran and reiterates its condemnation of the Iranian government's human rights abuses.
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10 Years After Iraq, Stop War with Iran
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
By: NIAC Action Alert
NIAC is teaming up with organizations around the country to urge Americans to mark today's solemn anniversary by calling their elected officials and telling them to stand up against war with Iran.
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Noroozetan Pirooz!
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
By: Yasmin Radjy
New Year greetings from the NIAC team
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12 Iranians. 12 Opinions. 1 Stance.
Monday, March 18, 2013
By: NIAC Staff
A dozen Iranians and Iranian Americans disagree on everything from politics to food. But one thing unites M. Jobrani, S. Moshkinghalam, R. Aslan, H. Dabashi, T. Daryaee, R. Jahanbeglou, B. Mostofi, E. Nabavi, N. Behnoud, A. Mahdi, N. Nodjoumi, and Y. Alkhansa.
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