“US, Arab countries can start new era of ties with Iran,” Interview with Hossein Mousavian, Trend News Agency, November 1, 2014.
Tag: Middle East
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.
International Roles in Middle East Policies
“International Roles in Middle East Policies,” Interview with Hossein Mousavian, Raghida Dergham, Huffington Post, October 23, 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.
When the Ayatollah Said No to the Nuke
“When the Ayatollah Said No to the Nuke,” Interview with Hossein Mousavian, Gareth Porter, Foreign Policy, October 16, 2014.
Report recommends controversial American-Iranian policy changes
“Report recommends controversial American-Iranian policy changes,” Interview with Hossein Mousavian, Shriya Sekhsaria, The Daily Princetonian, October 7, 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.
Urgent need for improved Saudi-Iran relations
Iran and Saudi Arabia, as the two key regional powers have the responsibility to seriously engage in a dialogue to achieve a comprehensive agreement on issues of tension and mutual interest. Reviving Iran-Saudi relations is to the benefit of both countries and the region as a whole — in terms of security, stability, socioeconomic vitality and managing the crises in Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan. They could form a bilateral committee at the foreign ministerial level to bring to the table areas of contention and mutual interest in the framework of regional developments. The items for discussion could include the conflicts in which both parties are involved, mutual security concerns and regional policies.
“Urgent need for improved Saudi-Iran relations,” Hossein Mousavian, Gulf News, August 16, 2014.
Netanyahu’s Gaza war: Changing Aims but Predictable Consequences
The US failure to secure a firm ceasefire in the Gaza, as a result of the objections from Egypt and Israel, reflects the new geopolitical reality in the region.
Whether Israel’s rejection of Washington’s diplomacy is a prevailing trend remains to be seen. But it is apparent, now more than ever, that the interests of the US and Israel have started to diverge at a quickening pace and maybe even conflict. The outcome of such an eventuality is that Israel would take the liberty of advancing its interests without any consideration for international laws and norms as well as the consequences of its acts for US interests.
Against this backdrop, you do not have to be a genius to realize that Israel’s current acts only result in the radicalization of the Palestinian movement, possibly the emergence of the third Intifada, and the strengthening of jihadi movements in the region as a whole.
Even the Arab states who side with Israel, either with their obvious acts and policies, or by remaining as mute spectators, must know that they are just adding fuel to the flame of jihadi extremism that will eventually come back to haunt them.
“Netanyahu’s Gaza war: Changing Aims but Predictable Consequences,” Hossein Mousavian and Shahir Shahidsaless, Iran Review, August 15, 2014.
Collapse of the Arab world necessitates a regional solution
The Arab world is in turmoil. The Arab Spring, which raised hopes and dreams for a wave of democratic reforms throughout the Middle East, is turning into a cold winter.
The new US policy in the Middle East departs from the policies of the past decades whereby it does not wish to heavily invest money and blood for the long term. Meanwhile, the United States’ hegemonic position in the region is on the verge of collapse. Because of the current crises in the region, Washington cannot count on its Arab allies nor can US allies count on the United States as a superpower capable of helping them confront the challenges they are facing. US President Barack Obama is clever enough to remain cautious about embroiling the United States in new adventures. While the key regional players — Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan — struggle with domestic challenges, a new geostrategy is urgently needed. Iran and the United States should overcome their differences to lead the international community in helping prevent further state collapse within the Arab world.
“Collapse of the Arab world necessitates a regional solution,” Hossein Mousavian, Al Monitor, July 31, 2014.
