Ali Alfoneh

Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Foreign and Defense Policy, Middle East and North Africa

Islam: Clash between or within civilizations?

Ali Alfoneh | August 20, 2012, 10:37 am

As an Iranian, I have firsthand experience of the horrors of clashes within a civilization. read more >

Image Credit: Daniella Zalcman (Wikimedia) (CC BY 2.0)

Foreign and Defense Policy, Middle East and North Africa

Earthquake in Iran: The regime could not care less

Ali Alfoneh | August 13, 2012, 2:23 pm

Two consecutive 6.4 magnitude earthquakes shook northwestern Iran Saturday, killing 306, injuring more than 3,000, and leaving many more homeless—but the regime in Tehran could not care less. The Islamic Republic of Iran Voice and Vision did not report on … read more >

Foreign and Defense Policy, Middle East and North Africa

Iran: Only hospitable to the Sunnis abroad?

Ali Alfoneh | August 9, 2012, 9:51 am

Last night, Samad Ali Lakizadeh, the Islamic Republic’s Ambassador to Warsaw, hosted representatives of the Muslim community in Poland for iftar, breaking the fast after a long day of fasting. read more >

Foreign and Defense Policy, Middle East and North Africa

Free Syrian Army vs. the Revolutionary Guards – not vs. Iranians

Ali Alfoneh | August 6, 2012, 9:47 am

On Sunday August 5th, Al-Arabyia broadcasted exclusive footage allegedly showing 48 Iranian militiamen who were abducted by the Free Syrian Army during a reconnaissance mission in Damascus. A man dressed as an officer of the Free Syrian Army explained that … read more >

Foreign and Defense Policy, Middle East and North Africa

Read Crist’s book on Iran-U.S. relations

Ali Alfoneh | August 3, 2012, 10:09 am

Fair and balanced, Crist points both at the immaturity of the regime in Tehran, but also errors of judgment in Washington which led to numerous missed opportunities to normalize relations between the two states. read more >

The Uses of Scandal
One of the greatest uses of scandal is to vividly demonstrate what new laws are needed and to create the political conditions to get them enacted. […]
Lean In… to Government?
Sheryl Sandberg's runaway best-selling book Lean In has managed to offend both the Left and the Right. Sandberg touts female hard-headedness, yet also calls for an elaborate government- and employer-supplied support system for women. […]
Are American Voters Racist?
Racial prejudice plays a very small role in American politics, but a highly disciplined sense of self-interest on the part of one group may play a very large role in the way the federal government functions. […]
The Perpetual Passion for Paper
Paper is becoming less important in some respects, but its strengths — prestige, utility, permanence, and security — are more essential than ever. […]