The motivation for this blog is based on a basic question after 1979 from Henry Kissinger about Iran, which leads to other questions–What is happening now in Iran?\u00a0 Is Iran\u2019s regime changing?\u00a0 Will its hostage taking ever end?\u00a0 Has the government decided to slow its sponsorship of terror?\u00a0 Are the Unites States\u2019 sanctions having any affect?\u00a0 Will Iran ever lessen its pressure on Lebanon or Bahrain or Yemen?\u00a0 Will a change in Supreme Leader make a difference?\u00a0 Is it possible for Iran to withdraw any of its support for Hezbollah or the Syrian regime? \u00a0These questions and others have seemingly been part of those asked of Iran for years, even decades.\u00a0 Other governments, regional militaries, non-profits, dedicated Iran watchers, and even Iran\u2019s citizens wonder if and when the regime will moderate its behavior.<\/p>\n
Famously, even Henry Kissinger has been quoted on this very issue, and this quote is the inspiration for this blog:\u00a0 \u201cI ask him to outline specifically what his policy on Iran would be. He is firm in his response: \u201cI have advocated that the United States have comprehensive negotiations with Iran \u2026 We need to have an open discussion of all differences.\u201d\u00a0 This, in his mind, requires Iran to decide \u201cwhether it is a nation or a cause. \u00a0If Iran thinks of itself as a nation or can be brought to do so, it can be accorded a respected place in the international system.\u201d America\u2019s relations with the Shah \u2013 who was Kissinger\u2019s friend \u2013 were never simply personal, he says; they were grounded in an understanding of the strategic importance of Iran, a situation that still holds today.\u00a0 \u201cAny serious effort to compromise differences between the United States must begin in bilateral negotiation, with each side seeking to understand the other\u2019s perceptions. In the end the negotiations must become multilateral, leading to an international accord that will engage all of Iran\u2019s neighbours.\u201d\u00a0 Kissinger sums up his position: \u00a0\u201cThe challenge is to find a formula for resolving the Iran nuclear issue that allows for effective supervision and control acceptable to the international community.\u201d\u00a0 Henry Kissinger, quoted in \u201cLunch with the FT: Henry Kissinger\u201d, Financial Times, May 24\/25, 2008, Interview conducted by Stephen Graubard.\u00a0 Accessed at www.henryakissinger.com\/interviews\/lunch-with-the-ft-henry-kissinger<\/p>\n
The methodology for this blog’s underlying data is straightforward. I have read news articles about Iran from several dozens of worldwide outlets for a number of years, and had noticed a pattern of behavior and policies by the Islamic Republic of Iran’s government.\u00a0\u00a0Starting in May 2018, I began chronicling the pattern in this blog.\u00a0 I view a compilation of worldwide daily news about Iran generated mainly by Google News and post the significant stories reflective of “the day.”\u00a0 These news items cover a spectrum of topics from World Cup soccer to the environment to the JCPOA to OPEC.\u00a0 Anyone can regularly assess such information and watch the trajectory of Iran\u2019s government, and in the process consider for themself if the Supreme Leader and those in power are acting as a responsible nation-state or in ways to spread the 1979 Revolution.\u00a0 Because of the import of the News, it is found on the opening page of the blog.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The motivation for this blog is based on a basic question after 1979 from Henry Kissinger about Iran, which leads to other questions–What is happening now in Iran?\u00a0 Is Iran\u2019s regime changing?\u00a0 Will its hostage taking ever end?\u00a0 Has the government decided to slow its sponsorship of terror?\u00a0 Are the Unites States\u2019 sanctions having any … <\/p>\n