Gathering Storm
Special Report: Iran
The Gathering Storm, June 26, 2009
Friday, June 26, 2009
The world is watching Iran like never before. The presidential elections of June 12 set the stage for escalating drama and intrigue both within the Islamic Republic and without it, and while this crisis is one that ultimately only Iran can sort out, that does not preclude the leader of the free world from lending its ear and airing its voice. [Read More]
Election Day in Iran
The Gathering Storm, June 12, 2009
Friday, June 12, 2009
The day has arrived for Iran to declare its new president. After three contentious weeks of campaigning between the remaining four candidates (see below for background), two of whom are reformists in opposition to the hard-to-outmaneuver incumbent President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Iran stands at a veritable crossroads as the world holds its breath. Whoever prevails will arguably dictate the course of Iran's domestic and foreign policy over the next four years, although Supreme Leader Ali Khameini will continue to hold force as the ultimate authority. [Read More]
Israel Decides to Connect the Dots
The Gathering Storm, May 27, 2009
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
As Iran's recent escalation of aggressive rhetoric and saber-rattling raise the eyebrows of those concerned with its nuclear capability, the wires are buzzing with a new development: a secret Israeli government report has been leaked to the press, one that accuses Venezuela and its surrogate revolutionary government in Bolivia of supplying Iran with uranium for its nuclear program. [Read More]
Iran: Change in the Air?
The Gathering Storm, May 22, 2009
Friday, May 22, 2009
Iran has not left the front pages for the past week, and for good reason. Not only was the Islamic Republic the elephant in the room during President Obama's meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday, but the country reportedly test launched a mid-range surface-to-surface missile at the same time that they were deciding upon those final four candidates competing in Iran's upcoming presidential elections. [Read More]
Chavez' Insatiable Quest for Power
The Gathering Storm, May 15, 2009
Friday, May 15, 2009
Sobering analysis from this week's Miami Herald reveals the further consolidation of powerpursued byour favorite "Narcisist-Leninist" president in the southern hemisphere. "Fresh off winning a referendum that could allow him to remain president until 2018 and perhaps for life, Chávez is sidelining enemies, stifling criticism, and concentrating power in ways that critics and independent analysts say is creating an autocratic state with democratic trappings," says Tyler Bridges. [Read More]
