“I’m very happy to say that as we speak, we have received confirmation that five Americans who had been unjustly detained in Iran have been released from custody.”
“VOA will present the policies of the United States clearly and effectively, and will also present responsible discussion and opinion on these policies.” — VOA Charter
Obama Hails New Era As Iran Complies With Nuke Deal
Posted January 17th, 2016 at 11:32 am (UTC-5)
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America Needs Iranian Cooperation
Posted January 15th, 2016 at 3:54 pm (UTC-5)
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The recent strife between Saudi Arabia and Iran, regional powers that have commanding influence in the Sunni and Shia worlds respectively, has made the Middle East even more volatile. By pursuing legislation to sink the Iran deal, the U.S. Congress will be adding fuel to the fire.
The Saudi-U.S. Relationship: Shakier Than Ever
Posted January 11th, 2016 at 10:58 am (UTC-5)
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Both countries still need each other, but less than before. They’re still partners — but colder, more distant partners now.
The United States Shouldn’t Take Sides in the Sunni-Shiite Struggle
Posted January 8th, 2016 at 12:51 pm (UTC-5)
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In general, the United States should support Saudi Arabia in resisting Iran’s encroachments in the region, but it should not take sides in the broader sectarian struggle. This is someone else’s civil war.
Saudi Arabia’s Last-Ditch Effort to Stop America’s Pivot to Iran
Posted January 6th, 2016 at 10:09 am (UTC-5)
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[The] Obama administration has effectively decided that upholding the nuclear accord with Iran is more important to U.S. interests — and to the president’s historical legacy — than safeguarding a decades-old alliance with Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Executions Strain Decades of US Ties
Posted January 5th, 2016 at 3:44 pm (UTC-5)
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The turmoil set off by Saudi Arabia’s decision to execute 47 prisoners – among them, a prominent Iranian Shia cleric – has put the Obama administration in a tight spot. Allies since the 1930s, one American administration after another has maintained strong ties with the Saudi kingdom. President Barack Obama appears to have been pinning his hopes on bringing long-time enemies, Saudi Arabia and Iran, together to help solve Syria – and by extension – extinguish the threat posed by ISIS. The United States is not deaf to human rights activists who prove over and over again that Saudi Arabia has silenced political dissent, in this most recent case, by beheading. But the U.S. has banked on the Saudis for cheap oil and influence in the Middle East. In turn, the Saudis had a regular customer and political cover when needed. The Saudis knew this execution would further stoke Shia-Sunni sectarian tensions in the region. What will it do to the cozy relationship between Riyadh and Washington?
Saudi Arabia’s Barbaric Executions
Posted January 5th, 2016 at 12:35 am (UTC-5)
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America’s longstanding alliance with the House of Saud is no reason for the Obama administration to do anything less than clearly condemn this foolhardy and dangerous course with a more robust response than its call Monday for both sides to exercise restraint.
Obama’s Iran Blunder
Posted January 4th, 2016 at 2:25 pm (UTC-5)
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Such is the nature of appeasement. It is not only morally abhorrent; it never works, because aggressive regimes and tyrants are never satisfied with their gains. Ultimately they must be confronted, but by then they have gained strength and confidence while Western democratic governments are shown to be foolish and weak.
2015 Was a Dangerous Year for Journalists
Posted December 30th, 2015 at 9:47 am (UTC-5)
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According to the [Committee to Protect Journalists], 199 [journalists] were in prison because of their work in 28 countries on Dec. 1. [Jason] Rezaian was one of 19 jailed in Iran alone. At least 70 other media workers were killed in 2015, including 47 who were singled out for murder in order to silence them.
Despite the Nuclear Deal, Iran Continues Its Economic Sabotage
Posted December 30th, 2015 at 8:28 am (UTC-5)
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Rouhani and other pragmatists argue that foreign investment will strengthen Iran and boost its national security. But hard-liners insist that Western money is a tool of the Great Satan that will undermine the revolution. This battle over foreign influence will be one of Iran’s fault lines in the year ahead.
On Jason Rezaian’s Imprisonment in Iran, His Release, and Its Meaning
…[T]his moment will be used by those in the US who wish to push one agenda or another, or who wish to paint it as a victory or humiliation for the Obama administration.