Carnegie’s “Junior Fellows” conference looks at new models of government

“[Liberal Democracy] is where the world was, not where it is going.” –Daniel Patrick Moynihan

At yesterday’s Junior Fellows Conference at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, one thing was clear: The moment for democracy has passed.

Democracy, as a Western, American export has long died in its appeal. According to panelists with expertise from all over the world, including China, Russia, and Bangladesh, the world is currently in a “reverse” democratic wave, where other government models, like semi-authoritarian ones, are gaining support.

The keynote address was delivered by National Endowment for Democracy President, Carl Gershman. He, along with panelist Marina Ottaway, Director of Carnegie Endowment’s Middle East Program, both made points about Iran.

Hearing to feature alternative strategy on Iranian nukes

There will be a hearing in the Homeland Security Committee tomorrow on Iran’s nuclear program. Among the expert witnesses will be Dr. Jim Walsh of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and co-author of the Luers/Pickering/Walsh proposal for a joint international nuclear fuel bank on Iranian soil. This proposal, which enjoys the backing of an increasing number of policy makers, was first presented to Congress at NIAC’s conference on April 8.

We also expect Senator Diane Feinstein and Senator Arlen Specter to make a guest appearance at the hearing. The California Democrat and the Pennsylvania Republican will likely use the forum to articulate the need for negotiations with Iran without preconditions.

How the media duped Americans: Iraq(n)

In many ways, the American public was duped in the days leading up to the war in Iraq. Specifically, we were duped into believing that the threat posed by Iraq’s “weapons of mass destruction” was so grave that it warranted a preemptive attack.

Sound familiar? It should. In recent months, the Bush administration has used a similar argument to pressure Americans into supporting a US-Iran war.

Sunday’s New York Times exposè, Behind TV Analysts, Pentagon’s Hidden Hand, informed the American public of a covert effort by retired military officers turned “analysts” and the US government to shower American news stations with “favorable coverage” of the Iraq war.

Presidential Candidates Express Views on Iran

The Democratic debate on April 16 marked the first time Iran has been discussed in a presidential debate since October of last year. The event demonstrated that US-Iran relations are no longer an issue that can be swept under the rug. The candidates’ commentary shed light on an issue that remains on the backburner despite its increasing importance. When asked about her strategy for security in the Middle East, Senator Hillary Clinton (D-NY) responded, “I think that we should be looking to create an umbrella of deterrence that goes much further than just Israel.”

Internal rivalries undo Iranian-American potential

When one talks about a large ethnic group, it is not unusual to hear about conflict and rival organizations vying for influence and support. The Iranian-American community is a very diverse group in the United States, with huge populations on both coasts, as well as dense clusters in the middle of the country. With an estimated population of nearly one million Iranian Americans in the US, the sheer size and quality of the community (Iranian Americans are among the most educated and wealthiest ethnic groups in the US) means that the biggest obstacle to Iranian Americans reaching their full potential is, unfortunately, Iranian Americans.

NIAC launches new logo, amended mission statement to reflect growth

Washington DC - Today, the National Iranian American Council (NIAC) launched its new logo and amended mission statement, reflecting the organization’s growth and increased reach.

Since its inception in 2002, NIAC has grown to become the largest grassroots Iranian-American organization in the United States. NIAC’s influence transcends the beltway to affect Iranian Americans all over the US.

NIAC was first formed to enhance Iranian-American participation in American civic life. This original model has been wildly successful. Iranian Americans of all political convictions have used the knowledge and skills they obtained through NIAC and other Iranian-American organizations to meet with their lawmakers, send letters to decision makers, communicate with the media, volunteer with different organizations, and become involved in local politics.

Former leader of revolution, Ebrahim Yazdi, calls for US-Iran talks, rips into VOA Persian

If you’d been living in DC this past year, you could have made a full time job out of attending all the Iran events throughout the city. It seems like every day someone’s holding an Iran talk, whether at a think tank, local university, or up on the Hill. But Thursday’s event was something special. After shaking hands and chatting with former US embassy hostages, the reformist—and former revolutionary leader—Ebrahim Yazdi, spoke to a packed house at a Middle East Institute event called “The Iranian Situation.”

Read below about Yazdi’s message to US policy makers, and to VOA Persian.

NIAC Conference: Breaking the US-Iran Stalemate

When it comes to Iran, President Bush has all but banged the drums of war. In fact, when faced with the question of Iran’s nuclear file, it’s been talk of sanctions or war, but nothing else – even though sanctions have gotten us nowhere.

On April 8, the National Iranian American Council (NIAC) will host foreign policy A-listers, Congressional members and staff, key academics and accredited media to discuss another option on Capitol Hill: a multinational enrichment facility inside Iran, coupled with direct and comprehensive talks with Tehran.

Most analysts agree: Iran’s nuclear program is progressing faster than the West can muster pressure on Tehran. NIAC’s conference will address the central question:

How can the US prevent Iran from developing a nuclear bomb, even if Tehran continues to enrich uranium?

In addition, speakers – who will include former Under-Secretary of State Thomas Pickering, former Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Hans Blix, and reporters Barbara Slavin (USA Today) and Scott Peterson (Christian Science Monitor) - will explore how the new Majles, now overrun with conservatives, will affect the direction of Iran’s foreign policy and nuclear goals.