Search

Iran may lash out after its disastrous defeats last week in the Persian Gulf at the hands of the US Navy, Iraq, and Kuwait. Teheran radicals and the chronological history of terrorist activities by Iran, or indirectly by surrogates (Hezbollah and its arm, Islamic Jihad); US policy; The health of the Ayatollah Khomeini; Iranian power struggles.

By flagging Kuwaiti vessels under the American flag, the US government hoped to discourage Iranian aggression in the Persian Gulf. Now the US government realizes that this mission began without enough thought or planning for the possible consequences. Details of the Gulf mission; Possible consequences of Iranian aggression. INSET: When the Gulf coughs, the oil market shivers..

Consideration of the new threats that Israel could face once Iran and Iraq stop shooting and a new superpower rivalry in the Persian Gulf grows. Possibilities of peacemaking; US seeking closer relations with Iran; The role of the Soviets and Iraq in the equation; Iran's factions and the cease fire decision.

The Saudi Arabians have been cooperative, assisting the US Gulf convoy operation. But Saudi Arabia has balked at giving the US military bases on Saudi soil, fearing that US forces there would trigger reprisals by Iran. Details of the Gulf operation; Iran's position; Saudi's control of their country despite worries of unrest. INSET: No reason ever to withdraw (Conversation with Frank Carlucci....

Letters to the editor are presented on topics in previous issues including "Taking Aim at Iran," "Croc and Roll," and "For Palestinians, Everyday Hardship at the Checkpoints," all of which appeared in the September 24, 2007 issue.

The article presents world news briefs. Iran has alienated most of the western world by resuming its uranium enrichment program. A Jordanian court sentenced al Qaeda terrorist Abu Musab Zarqawi to death. The H5N1 strain of the bird flu has spread to western Europe. A number of reports have found the conditions in the U.S. detention facility at Guantánamo Bay, Cuba are unacceptable and that prisoners are being detained illegally. The drought in the horn of Africa is the severest since 1961.

US stance in the Persian Gulf is fraught with risk. Discussion of oil stability and the Soviet effort to replace the US as dominant outside power. INSET: Our job is to provide a shield to the region..

The Iraqi war effort against Iran is indirectly supported by the US in the form of food and directly by the USSR in the form of arms. Negotiations to end the war have led nowhere and instead, the war fiercely continues.

With woes mounting at home and abroad, the Ayatollah's Islamic regime now is showing signs of a change of heart. To Khomeini, the U.S. is still the `Great Satan' but a policy shift may be in the wind. He is being forced to reassess the hard-linepolicies that have made his nation a virtual outcast in the world community.

With Iran preparing a major offensive, Iraq vows to swell the death toll in a war that has taken 300,000 lives. A look at how the Iraqis are dug in for a battle to the death against attacking Iranian troops. INSET: Attacks on the tankers--17 since late March: 12 by Iraq, 5 by....

An aerial battle, growing U.S. involvement, and threats of an Iranian offensive, all add up to mounting danger. INSET: America flexes its muscles behind the scenes..

Withdrawal of Marines from Lebanon, and close ties to Israel, are raising questions about America's reliability. A look at developments in the Persian Gulf.

Focuses on Tehran, Iran's role in international politics, featuring its supply of arms to Lebanon's Party of God, otherwise known as Hezbollah. Problems for the United States; Other nations that Iran has supplied with arms; Tehran's regional clout in the Middle East especially in the situation between Israel and Lebanon; Problems in Iran like aging oil fields and booming populations; Factors behind problems including political turmoil among competing factions.

Reports on mounting evidence that a wartime alliance of necessity between Iran and Bosnian President Alija Izetbegovic's ruling political party has become a solid fundamentalist foothold in Bosnia. Tehran's ambitions which pose a potential threat to the safety of thousands of American troops and to smooth implementation of the Dayton peace accords; How Tehran is reaping dividends after years of covertly supplying weapons to Bosnia's Muslims. INSET: Arms for Bosnia.

States that according to Beirut-based intelligence sources, Iran's radical government is so vehemently against the prospect of a peace agreement between Israel and Syria that it is ready to target Syrian interests for terrorist attacks if and when a peace deal is struck. How Tehran conveyed the hard-line message to its Lebanese-based clients in February 1955 in a series of secret meetings with the Islamic guerrilla gangs in Beirut.

Examines how Iran continues to be a major source of instability in the Middle East. Government of President Hashemi Rafsanjani which continues to bankroll Islamic militant groups outside of Iran; Why the West is worried by Iran's strategic objectives; Iran's stockpiling of weapons; Comments by Zeev Eytan, editor of the `Middle East Military Balance'; Extraordinary amount spent on the military; Dealings with the United States.

Updates the Persian Gulf situation in the wake of the US raid on Iranian oil platform. Most Gulf states want no direct part in US operations for fear of inviting more Iranian attacks. The US is moving to shut off Iran's imports of Chinese made Silkworm missiles. US policy in the Gulf. INSET: Kuwait shies away from confronting Iran..

Opinion. Last week's attack on a reflagged Kuwaiti tanker should not deflect the US from its long-term goal--preventing Soviet authority over Iran. Looks at the recent history of US and Soviet involvement in the Persian Gulf.

The harsh regime in Iraq led by Saddam Hussein is taking the toll on the Iraqi people. Nearly everyone knows someone wounded or killed in combat, and internal unrest is growing, yet the Iraqi's fight Iran for self respect. How the war has affected Iraq & its people.

Iraqi air attacks shattered a six-week lull in the Persian Gulf tanker war. The raids undermine any prospect of Iraq heeding the United Nations' cease-fire order and increase the chance of the US being drawn into the war. Other results of Iraq's attacks. See also (Time, 9/14/87, 2c, p38, 2p) See also (Newsweek, 9/14/87, 2c, 1 map, p44, 2p)

Discussion of the criticism and support of Reagan's decision to stake out a high-risk, high-profile policy in the Persian Gulf. Congress wants to delay flying US flags over 11 Kuwaiti oil tankers until late summer and demands the risks be shared with allies or by seeking United Nations authority. See also (Time, 6/29/87, 1c, 1 map, p13, 1p)

Iran seeks a decisive victory in its all-out push against Iraq, which despite a manpower deficit, is no pushover. Yet, defeat by Khomeini would be bad news for the US allies in the Persian Gulf and why.

This article examines Iran's influence over Lebanon. Hassan Nasrallah, the leader of the Hezbollah military group is profiled as an Iranian with great influence over Lebanon, much like Iranian forebearers like the Ayatollah Khomeni. The author notes that Lebanon faces a choice in 2006 to follow Nasrallah and the Iranian philosophic path, or create its own legacy.

Reports on Iran's plan to start a manufacturing process that could produce either fuel for nuclear power reactors or enough highly enriched uranium for five nuclear bombs. Claim from Iran that the fuel will be used for the Bushehr power plant; Response from Europe to the Bush administration's desire to isolate Iran with sanctions; Skepticism about U.S. intelligence following the failure to find weapons of mass destruction in Iraq; Claim from presidential candidate John Kerry that Bush has been too passive in his dealings with Iraq; Determination of Bush to try diplomacy.

Focuses on the arrest of 13 Iranian Jews on charges of espionage. How these arrests convey the hatred of the United States and Israel by Islamic fundamentalists; How convictions of espionage in Iran carry the death penalty; US and Israeli response to the news; Border skirmishes between Iran and Iraq.

Describes mounting tensions between Iran and Afghanistan. War games conducted by Iranian troops; Iran's accusations that Afghanistan seized 47 Iranians when the Taliban seized a northern Afghan town; Relations between Iran's Shiite Muslims and the extreme Sunni Muslim Taliban.

Editorial. Discusses the increasing involvement of Russia with Iraq and Iran. Russia as an obstacle to enforcing resolutions regarding Iraqi weapons inspections; Ties between Russia and Iranian missile development; Role of Russian Foreign Minister Yevgeni Primakov; Response of President Bill Clinton; March, 1998 meeting planned between Vice President Al Gore and Russian Prime Minister Victor Chernomyrdin.

Reports that the Clinton administration is pressuring Russia to demonstrate that it will avoid the transfer of missile technology to Iran. Executive order signed by Prime Minister Victor Chernomyriden which tightened control of the export of dual use technology which can be used in missile production; How Washington wants proof that the order is being enforced.

Focuses on the international conference hosted by Iran in December 1997. The meeting as consisting of the 55-member Organization of the Islamic Conference; The signs that Iran is beginning to emerge from long isolation, while not abandoning its hard-line stance; How the United States has found new support for containing Iran's military ambitions; The success of the US in pledging China and Russia not to sell Iran cruise missiles or assist its nuclear programs.

To most outsiders, it is a costly, senseless war which has gone on for 54 months. About 250,000 are dead plus 500,000 wounded on each side. A look at old animosities; Hussein's strategic misstep; importance of the region's oil to the US; superpower policies; Iran's importance. A diplomatic face-saving device will be necessary to end this conflict. See also (Maclean's, 4/8/85, 1c, p24, 2/3p)

A detailed Senate Foreign Relations Committee study of the 4-year-old war shows Iraq gaining an edge--ironically with the help of both Moscow and Washington. The report predicted no quick end to a war that Iran once seemed near to winning with human-wave assaults on Iraqi forces. Iran is now showing signs of stress.

Discusses how world leaders are campaigning Iranian President Mohammed Khatami for better relations with the Islamic regime. The campaigning of Saddam Hussein; The goodwill message from Turkish President Suleiman Demirel to help ease tensions; The hesitation of the United States in opting for any similar course.

Reports that Teheran has ordered the transfer of Iran's European espionage and terror operations from diplomatic missions in Germany to more innocuous covers in France. Move which follows a German court finding that the Iranian government was directly involved in the 1992 Berlin murder of four Iranian Kurdish exiles; Hopes of Teheran intelligence.

Notes that Iran is lobbying to assume leadership of the United Nation's largest bloc, the Group of 77 developing nations. Why Iran is a contender; How the assumption of leadership would affect a diplomatic boycott enforced by the United States; Other nations who are reportedly interested in the leadership role.

Reports that in its relentless campaign for hegemony in the Muslim world, Iran has a new target: China. Intelligence sources in the Persian Gulf say that despite Beijing's ever present security apparatus, Iran's Ministry for Islamic Culture and Guidance has been able to set up a network for information-gathering and propaganda cells in China's Muslim communities.

Reports that Japan pressured Iran to cancel a planned test firing in Iran of North Korea's Rodong ballistic missile. According to US officials, Tokyo threatened to halt further financing for a $1.2 billion dam in Iran if the Islamic government did not halt preparations for launching the missile.

Discusses how Muammar Qadhafi, faced with international sanctions and a Muslim fundamentalist underground in Libya, has turned to his old friends in Iran. Belief of intelligence sources that Tehran's Islamic connections helped Qadhafi foil an October 1993 coup attempt that involved an uprising by fundamentalist Libyan military personnel; Iranian promise to supply Qadhafi with civilian and military supplies cut off by the United Nations-imposed embargo.

Reports that United States intelligence suspects that Iran may be preparing to launch a new military strike into Iraq against an Iranian opposition group, the People's Mujeheddin. The organization's alleged role in the recent violent demonstration in the Iranian cities of Mashhad and Arak; Possibility that Iranians will strike inside Iraq; Tehran's F-4 Phantom jets attacked a People's Mujeheddin base in April.

Discusses how Iran is trying to project a moderate image, but its foreign policy has two very different faces. The `two track' foreign policy that Iran is still pursuing; The Iranian terrorist network in Europe is growing, with a new base in Istanbul's heavily Iranian Laleh quarter; Iranian President Hashemi Rafsanjani's upper hand in authorizing assassinations; Terror used as a foreign-policy tool.

Reports that despite a meeting of their Foreign Ministers in Geneva, an Iran-Iraq settlement remains far off. Little effect on American hostages in Lebanon.

Discusses business opportunities within Iran and Iraq as the two countries' attempt to rebuild their economies after their cease-fire pact. Opportunities for Western firms.

Discusses what might happen if the Iran-Iraq cease-fire leads to a peace agreement. Iraqi-backed anti-Khomeini dissidents stand to lose financial support and political muscle. Peace talks threaten to nullify Iranian mujeheddin gains.

Discusses the move by Iran for a ceasefire in its war with Iraq. Role of the United Nations; Iranian demands leading to Iraq pushing further into Iranian territory; Iran's need for US aid; Suggestion that US unfreeze $1 billion of Iranian assets in exchange for intercession for American hostages; Situation still unresolved. . See also (Time, 8/8/88, p22, 1/3p)

Analysis of the difficulty in charting the eight year war between Iran and Iraq. Secretiveness on both sides; What is known; Persian Gulf naval intervention seen as turning point; Casualties of conventional wars; Possibility that stability of Middle East will not increase with end of Iran/Iraq war.

Discussion of the Reagan Administration fears that crucial security ties in the Persian Gulf are at risk. The Gulf states and their purchase of arms other than from the US; Dangers of erosion of military and political links that these arms deals helped to forge.

US presence in the Persian Gulf has proven that America can still police parts of the world--if it chooses its locations carefully and respects the need for subtlety. Views on Persian Gulf policy of Admiral William Crowe, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Iran has been surprisingly quiet, with no recent attacks on Iraq or retaliation for the US bombing of an Iranian ship that was laying mines. This well may be due to Iran's fear of Western firepower, or a plan for an offensive in Iraq or perhaps because of struggle within Iran itself. Examines Iran's lack of action.

Editorial. The US should stand firm in the Persian Gulf and let Iran and Iraq fight each other to military and financial exhaustion. When fighting each other, these two countries are less of a threat to the rest of the world.

The conflict ridden Persian Gulf offers plenty of money-making opportunities. Worried that the fighting in the Gulf will stop oil supplies, countries are stocking up, and this profits the oil business in the Gulf Region. Ship insurance companies are increasing their rates. Media coverage means profits. Ship captains and sailors, with increased danger, are reaping profits, too.

A discussion of our faulty reasoning which resulted in the Bridgeton fiasco in the Persian Gulf.