“US, Iran Cooperating in Fight Against IS: Former Iranian Diplomat,” Interview with Hossein Mousavian, Sputnik International, November 21, 2014.
Tag: ISIS
Ankara tries to recast war on terror
While the emergence of terrorism in unprecedented forms has sent tremors of anxiety around the globe, Turkey unyieldingly swims against the tide. Despite its Nato membership, it adamantly refuses to participate in multilateral actions with the United States and its allies, Arab countries, Iran, Russia and Syria. While these countries have not acted in unison, they are engaged in a massive endeavour aimed at bringing down Daesh (Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant) and eliminating terrorist groups.
The question, then: “What motivates Turkey to act unilaterally despite further isolating itself from the global community?”
“Ankara tries to recast war on terror,” Hossein Mousavian, Gulf News, November 16, 2014.
The Geopolitical Impact of Regional Powers’ Projects on the Persian Gulf
“The Geopolitical Impact of Regional Powers’ Projects on the Persian Gulf,” Presentation at the Abu Dhabi Strategic Debate, October 18, 2014.
David Ignatius: An Iranian who could balance Tehran’s factions?
“David Ignatius: An Iranian who could balance Tehran’s factions?” Interview with Hossein Mousavian, David Ignatius, Washington Post, October 30, 2014.
A chance for mainstream Islam to unite against ISIS
There are few happy consequences of the emergence of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, which has swept across Iraq and Syria since the beginning of the year. A rare shaft of light, however, is to be found in the rapprochement between the two biggest branches of the Islamic mainstream.
Shia and Sunni Islam have been at odds for most of the past decade. But the self-declared caliphate of terror known as Isis presents them with a common challenge. And they are beginning to put aside their differences in an effort to meet it.
The grand clerics of both schools – the Shia from Tehran, Qom and Najaf, and the Sunni from Riyadh and Cairo – have called upon their followers to take up arms against Isis. Political leaders have also declared their support for an intensified campaign. When the Iranian and Saudi foreign ministers met in New York in September, both diplomats hailed the opening of a new chapter in relations between their countries.
“A chance for mainstream Islam to unite against ISIS,” Hossein Mousavian, Financial Times, October 23, 2014.
Viewpoints: Experts debate strikes on Islamic State
The regional realities have set the stage for an urgent need for a new paradigm shift vis-a-vis the fight against extremism and terrorism. The US and its Arab allies’ policy of isolating Iran can no longer be sustained.
Ironically, today the most stable and secure state in the region is Iran, with the foresight and capability to proactively contribute to resolving regional crises. There is no need to assume that only in an ideal world, Iran could play a valuable role – it is already doing so and Tehran’s timely assistance to the Baghdad government was the key factor that stopped IS in its tracks.
“Viewpoints: Experts debate strikes on Islamic State,” Interview with Hossein Mousavian, BBC News, September 29, 2014.
