Los Angeles Times: The conference in Paris is billed as a forum for global leaders to discuss how to confront the Islamic State. French officials have said they would like Iran to attend. At the Ankara news conference, however, Kerry called Iran a “state sponsor of terror” and cited the presence of Iranian forces in Syria helping the government of President Bashar Assad.
‘Not appropriate’ for Iran to join Islamic State talks, Kerry says
Iran’s president has not delivered on pledges of more freedom – U.N.
Reuters: Iranian President Hassan Rouhani’s promises of greater freedoms for the Islamic Republic have not resulted in any major improvements regarding human rights and freedom of expression, the U.N. chief said in a new report on Iran. U.N. Secretary-General’s annual report to the General Assembly on human rights in Iran also expressed alarm at the reported recent increase in executions in Iran.
Collaboration with Iran’s regime is self-defeating
Roll Call: As Iraq teeters on disintegration, some on Capitol Hill are floating the idea of collaborating with Iran in order to defeat the threat posed by the terror group Islamic State (ISIS). But, would this really serve American interests? As dangerous as ISIS is, our would-be partners in Tehran present an even greater security threat to the region and America’s core interests.
Kerry says no to Iran’s help against Islamic group
AP: Even as it discouraged Iran from joining diplomatic talks on how to defeat the Islamic State militant group, the United States could not outline Friday what other nations have volunteered to contribute to a worldwide effort against the insurgency that has overtaken a third of Iraq and Syria and threatens to upend the Mideast.
Iraqi forces set stage for another massacre of Iranian refugees in Camp Liberty
Breitbart: The Iranian regime is definitely the biggest loser of Minister Nouri Al-Maliki withdrawing his candidacy for a third term as Iraq’s Prime Minister. During eight years of divisive and sectarian rule, Maliki had proved himself to be the Iranian regime’s greatest ally in the region, dedicating his power and resources to furthering Iran’s agendas in Iraq and the region.
Islamic State takes pressure off Iran
Al-Monitor: “I am worried that if we all focus on Iraq and miss nuclear weapons in Iran, we have the danger of missing the biggest threat to international cohesion and the security of the US,” said Sen. Mark Kirk, R-Ill., the co-author of sanctions legislation that Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., has blocked from getting to the floor.
Iran warns of ‘difficult road’ in nuclear talks
AFP: Iran and world powers have a “difficult road” ahead as they attempt to agree a nuclear deal by a November deadline, with major differences remaining, Tehran’s lead negotiator said Thursday. “We are always optimistic. But we have a difficult road to go,” Abbas Araqchi told reporters after a day of talks in Vienna with officials from France, Germany and Britain.
ISIS fight raises fears that efforts to curb Iran will slip
New York Times: President Obama’s decision to engage in a lengthy battle to defeat the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria reorders the global priorities of his final years in office. The mystery is whether it will deprive him of the legacy he had once hoped would define his second term, or enhance it instead.
Arab allies pledge to fight Islamic State group
AP: Key Arab allies promised Thursday to “do their share” to fight Islamic State militants, but NATO member Turkey refused to join in, signaling the struggle the U.S. faces in trying to get front-line nations to put aside their regional animosities and work together to defeat a common enemy.
The enduring short-sightedness of Iraq policies
Al Jazeera: Excessive optimism about Iraq and its neighbours has proved disastrous in the past. It has, in fact, cost many human lives and contributed to the situation that the Middle East faces today. It will happen again if we forget prior mistakes and failings, and focus too narrowly on the Islamic State group and northern Iraq.
