Tag Archives: Iran

Thinking Aloud: Fool Me Once, Shame on You…

Posted on April 27, 2016 by notwhatyoumighthink

April 27, 2016 by Darius  President Obama recently wrapped up a trip to Saudi Arabia.  In a piece written just prior to Obama’s trip, Bruce Riedel of Brookings made the case for why the US must continue to invest in its … Continue reading →

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Thinking Aloud: What’s in a Name?

Posted on October 24, 2015 by notwhatyoumighthink

Oct. 24, 2015 by Darius  Have you ever wondered, when referring to the language spoken in Iran, Afghanistan, and Tajikistan, which term should be used, “Farsi” or “Persian”? The two aren’t actually complete synonyms. Both the terms “Persian” and “Farsi” … Continue reading →

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Thinking Aloud: America’s Much-Needed Syria Policy Rethink

Posted on October 4, 2015 by notwhatyoumighthink

Oct. 4, 2015 by Darius  Five days ago, the Russian air force began conducting airstrikes in Syria. Those under falling Russian bombs were not ISIS, as the Russians claimed, but moderate rebels, including some trained by the United States. At … Continue reading →

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Thinking Aloud: Oman, America’s Unheralded Ally

Posted on August 16, 2015 by notwhatyoumighthink

Aug. 16, 2015 by Darius  Who are the top US allies in the Middle East?  Most people would respond with some combination of Israel, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan.  But are these allies always beneficial to the US?  Israel goes directly … Continue reading →

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News You Really Need To See: “Iran Nuclear Deal: Satirical Website The Onion Accidentally Breaks Story About the US Offering Missiles to Israel”

Posted on July 22, 2015 by notwhatyoumighthink

“Iran Nuclear Deal: Satirical Website The Onion Accidentally Breaks Story About the US Offering Missiles to Israel” The Independent, July 22, 2015 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/iran-nuclear-deal-satirical-website-the-onion-accidentally-breaks-story-about-the-us-offering-missiles-to-israel-10404684.html “A satirical website has accidentally broken a real news story – by revealing that America offered Israel ‘a … Continue reading →

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News You Really Need To See: “U.S. Seeks Mideast Shift After Nuclear Deal”

Posted on July 8, 2015 by notwhatyoumighthink

“U.S. Seeks Mideast Shift After Nuclear Deal” The Wall Street Journal, July 6, 2015, p.A6 http://www.wsj.com/articles/u-s-seeks-mideast-shift-to-follow-iran-deal-1436225737 “The White House is crafting a Middle East strategy for the remaining 18 months of President Barack Obama’s term that would more forcefully address … Continue reading →

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News You Really Need To See: “Theft of Saudi Documents Suggests Iranian Hack, Analysts Say”

Posted on June 26, 2015 by notwhatyoumighthink

“Theft of Saudi Documents Suggests Iranian Hack, Analysts Say” The Washington Post, June 26, 2015, p.A12 http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/theft-of-saudi-documents-suggests-an-iranian-hack-experts-say/2015/06/25/dd2f57e2-19c2-11e5-bed8-1093ee58dad0_story.html “The purported theft of confidential Saudi documents that have been released by WikiLeaks bears the hallmarks of Iranian hackers linked to cyberattacks in … Continue reading →

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Thinking Aloud: Darius’s Rules of International Engagement, #4

Posted on June 21, 2015 by notwhatyoumighthink

June 21, 2015 by Darius  [If you study international relations and political science, it’s impossible to avoid coming across Carl von Clausewitz.  While Clausewitz’s credentials may have been a bit thin in his primary specialty, military theory, he has given … Continue reading →

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Thinking Aloud: Iran and the Taliban?

Posted on June 12, 2015 by notwhatyoumighthink

June 12, 2015 by Darius  Strange times make for strange bedfellows.  According to a report by The Wall Street Journal, part of the Taliban’s ongoing resurgence in Afghanistan is made possible by a new set of benefactors:  Iran. Iran is … Continue reading →

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Thinking Aloud: President Graham, Foreign Policy Guru?

Posted on June 1, 2015 by notwhatyoumighthink

June 1, 2015 by Darius  Today South Carolina Republican Senator Lindsey Graham announced that he is entering the 2016 presidential race.  Graham feels that his record as a leader of the Republic Party on foreign policy issues qualifies him to be … Continue reading →

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