An earlier version of this article incorrectly reported that a U.S. intelligence official had described regime collapse as a goal of U.S. and other sanctions against Iran. An updated version clarifies the official’s remarks. Read full article > >

Read the rest here:
Public ire one goal of Iran sanctions, U.S. official says

This article, written by Muhammad Sahimi,appeared in Pbs.org on December 31,2011 A long history of quiet influence and power.

Excerpt from:
The Canny General: Quds Force Commander Ghasem Soleimani

This article, written by Summer Nasser, appeared on Comment Middle East on December 30,2011 As the Arab Spring sweeps throughout the Middle East, it proves the strength of each country’s citizens. However, many do not show women in the frontlines of mass marches, with one notable exception: Yemen.

Continue reading here:
The Women of Yemen: Breaking Barriers

This article, written by Ben White, appeared on New Statesman on December 29,2011 On the third anniversary of Operation Cast Lead, army officials indicate they are ready to strike again.

See the article here:
IDF Chief of Staff Hails 2008 Gaza Strike as an "Excellent Operation"

This article, written by Jack Shenker, appeared on the Guardian on December 28,2011. ‘When the rallies happened in Tahrir Square, we would all receive a large bonus’

Follow this link:
Egyptian Army Officer’s Diary of Military Life in a Revolution

This article written by Samir Amir Setti, appeared on Comment Middle East on December 27, 2011

Go here to read the rest:
The French Have no Right to Comment on Genocide

This article, written by Robin Mills, appeared on Foreign Policy on December 23, 2011 Is the United States really upping the pressure on Iran, or just hurting itself?

Follow this link:
Who’s Sanctioning Whom?

As “Ann” makes abundantly plain, Ann Richards’s greatest achievement was being Ann Richards. This article of faith propels Holland Taylor in her remarkably realistic embodiment of the late Texas governor , a passionate Democrat, savvy networker and, most important for this engaging if sugarcoated homage stopping at the Kennedy Center’s Eisenhower Theater, a folksy raconteur of the first rank. Read full article > >

See the article here:
A Texas icon roars again: Ann Richards, the subject of ‘Ann’

As “Ann” makes abundantly plain, Ann Richards’s greatest achievement was being Ann Richards. This article of faith propels Holland Taylor in her remarkably realistic embodiment of the late Texas governor , a passionate Democrat, savvy networker and, most important for this engaging if sugarcoated homage stopping at the Kennedy Center’s Eisenhower Theater, a folksy raconteur of the first rank. Read full article > >

Go here to read the rest:
A Texas icon roars again: Ann Richards, the subject of ‘Ann’

This article, written by Kambiz Tavana and Arash Karami, appeared on pbs.org on December 01,2011 Ali Akbar Salehi: Iran’s foreign minister…and future president?

More:
Dispatch | The Man to Watch in Iran?

This Article, written by Ali Vaez, appeared on TheBulletin.org on November 18, 2011

Originally posted here:
Seyed Hossein Mousavian: The West is Pushing Iran in the Wrong Direction

This article, written by Aslan Media Founder Reza Aslan, originally appeared on WashingtonPost.com on November 15, 2011 American politicians are always calling Israel the one true democracy in the Middle East. Compared to most of other nations in the region (with the exception of Turkey), Israel certainly boasts the strongest democratic institutions, the freest society, and by far the most accountable government. Yet under the leadership of Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud party, and thanks in large part to a gradual but extreme rightward shift within Israel’s political class, the very foundation of the country’s democracy has been steadily eroding.

Original post:
Bibi’s Attack on Israeli Democracy

This article, written by Mohamed Irani, appeared in Comment Middle East on 08 November 2011 The Arab Spring has challenged the statute of tyranny in numerous countries in the Middle East. Countries such as Tunisia, Egypt and Libya have successfully ended years of despotism, while the people of Syria, Yemen and Bahrain are on the path to freedom.

Excerpt from:
Arab Spring reignites the Green Movement

Justin Canha, a young artist with autism, prepares for life as an independent adult. Links to special features with Mr. Canha and his artwork can be found in the article.

Read the rest here:
Autistic and Seeking a Place in an Adult World

This article written by Steven A. Cook originally appeared on ForeignPolicy.com on August 2, 2011 Read any newspaper, magazine, or journal article about Turkey over the last few decades, and the odds are that the Turkish military establishment was described as “staunchly secular,” “powerful,” “autonomous,” “dominant,” or all of these things. At times, it seemed that observers were in awe of the Turkish commanders, armed as they seemed to be with an uncompromising ideology and a will to act to ensure the security of Turkey’s republican and, importantly, secular political order. The ideals, cohesion, and strength of the armed forces stood in stark contrast with the weakness and corruption — especially during the 1990s — of Turkey’s civilian political leaders.

Follow this link:
Tarnished Brass