Wall Street Journal – REVIEW & OUTLOOK: Realism is an academic theory that holds that nations should, and typically do, conduct foreign policy with greater regard for their interests than their values. But realism is also an ordinary word that tells us that good sense and experience are better practical guides to action than theory.
Realism and Iran
Arab silence allowed Iran influence in Iraq: FM
AFP: Iran’s influence over Iraq was made possible by the absence of decisive Arab involvement in the war-torn country, Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari charged Tuesday.
Iran vows no ‘preconceived ideas’ at Holocaust meet
AFP: Iran said on Tuesday that more than 60 researchers from 30 countries will attend a controversial conference on the Holocaust next week to examine the event without any “preconceived ideas”.
Iran blocks access to YouTube.com
AP: Iran has blocked access to the popular video-sharing Web site YouTube.com, and a media rights group warned Tuesday that Internet censorship in the Islamic state is on the rise.
U.S. House backs Iran condition on India deal
Reuters: The U.S. House of Representatives on Tuesday backed a proposal requiring India to actively cooperate in restraining Iran’s nuclear programs as a condition of nuclear cooperation with the United States.
World powers fail to reach Iran accord
AP: Six world powers made “substantive progress” but failed to reach an accord Tuesday on a U.N. resolution to punish Iran for defying demands to halt its nuclear program, the French Foreign Ministry said after talks in Paris.
France says Iran will face sanctions
AP: The French foreign minister said Wednesday that Iran will face U.N. sanctions for refusing to halt its nuclear program but that major world powers remain divided over their extent.
US official not expecting Iran nuclear breakthrough Tuesday
AFP: A senior US official said Tuesday that he was not expecting any breakthrough on a UN resolution punishing Iran over its nuclear programme when six major powers meet in Paris later in the day.
Gates against attack on Iran, Syria
AFP: US defense secretary nominee Robert Gates said Tuesday he was against an attack on Iran except as an “absolute last resort” and said he would not support any US strike against Syria.
Iran seeks timetable for US troop exit from Iraq
AFP: A timetable for a US troop withdrawal from Iraq would be a “positive sign” from Washington, a top official from neighbouring Iran said on Tuesday.
