How the Rouhani administration can contain excess liquidity

In the absence of genuine reforms that will allow the adoption of more prudent fiscal, monetary and foreign currency policies, the Iranian economy will remain structurally crisis-ridden.

Iran

Zarif: US 'obsession' with Iran is backfiring everywhere

In an exclusive interview with Al-Monitor, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif discussed several topics from this week's UN General Assembly session.

United States

Will Shiite militias become Iraq’s Basij?

The Popular Mobilization Units are expanding their presence in the strategic city of Basra by forming a Voluntary Reserves force, similar to the Iranian Basij forces.

Iraq

Netanyahu masters another show-and-tell at the UNGA

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu showed in a speech at the UN General Assembly meeting that he continues to lead a multiple-front campaign against Iran, and with intense squabbling among the leadership in Tehran, Israeli leaders sense that victory is near and possible.

Israel

Iran's metal bands inch toward acceptance

Metal musicians in Iran have achieved several breakthroughs in the past three years, but they still have a long and uncertain way to go.

Iran

Hamas raises eyebrows with condolences to Iran

Hamas offered its condolences to Iran after an attack on a military parade killed dozens of people, including members of the Revolutionary Guard, and some see the gesture as an attempt to cozy up to the Islamic Republic.

Palestine

Iranian civic rights activists challenge authorities with hunger strikes

Iranian authorities are increasingly challenged by a wave of hunger strikes conducted by civic rather than political activists.

Iran

Intel: Congress wants to sanction Iran’s allies in Iraq. Here’s why the State Department thinks it’s a bad idea.

Iraq

How Rouhani may be destroying his own Moderation camp

If Iran’s president continues to focus on his future rather than the present, his continued failure to fulfill his campaign promises is likely to herald the end of his political career.

Iran

Pushing multilateralism, Iran hosts regional security conference

Iran hosted its first Regional Security Dialogue with senior security officials from China, India, Russia and Afghanistan as the Iranian media touts a positive UN General Assembly gathering for Tehran.

Iran

Why Trump’s UN speech should worry Netanyahu

For Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, US President Donald Trump is the be-all and end-all of Israel’s security.

Palestine

Congress warns of mission creep in Syria

Lawmakers ripped into Pentagon officials after the Trump administration suggested it would keep US troops in Syria to counter Iran’s presence in the war-torn country.

Syria