AP: An influential Democratic senator threatened Thursday to block U.S. arms sales to Iraq if Congress doesn’t get an assessment of Iraqi forces and assurances the weapons won’t fall into the hands of extremist militants. In a testy exchange, Sen. Bob Menendez lashed out at senior State Department and Defense Department officials appearing before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee that he chairs.
Senator: No arms to Iraq unless Congress gets info
Iranian refugees in Iraq must be better protected, say peers
Barnet Today: Human rights lawyers, parliamentary peers and MPs came together last week to show support for Iranian refugees in Iraq and call for an end to the country’s current regime. Hendon MP Matthew Offord and members of the North Finchley-based Anglo Iranian Young Artists’ Group were among the delegates at an emergency conference on the plight of residents of Camp Liberty in Baghdad.
In Congress, an opportunity emerges on Syria
The Hill: Congress is rightly skeptical about President Obama’s request for funds to arm and train Syria’s moderate opposition. It would be a mistake, however, to reject the proposal outright. Members of Congress can instead recognize this standoff as an opportunity to develop a meaningful and effective strategy in Syria — one that offers an alternative to the tyrannies of the regime and jihadist extremists.
Boeing reaches plane parts deal with Iran
Reuters: U.S. planemaker Boeing has disclosed an agreement with Iran to provide airplane parts, relaxing a three-decade freeze in ties as part of a broader package of sanctions relief. The agreement sets out general terms and conditions for the “potential sale of certain goods and services related to the safety of flight,” Boeing said in a regulatory filing.
Iran collides with international community in Mideast conflicts
Roll Call: Civil wars that might have initially only threatened the two dictators are now endangering the entire region and global security. The main culprit for the growing instability is no other party but the repressive theocracy in Iran. This is the view shared by many of our former colleagues in Congress, evident in a series of recent hearings which addressed the destabilizing role of Tehran in the Middle East.
Christian sentenced by Iranian judge to have his lips burnt with a cigarette
Daily Mail: An Iranian judge sentenced a Christian man to have his lips burnt with a cigarette for eating during the day in the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. A spokesperson from The National Council of Resistance of Iran, a political coalition which opposes the government, denounced the treatment as ‘savage’ and called on western countries to take action.
U.S. Republican lawmakers seek greater say on Iran nuclear deal
Reuters: U.S. Republican lawmakers introduced legislation on Wednesday that would force President Barack Obama to submit quickly to Congress any comprehensive nuclear agreement with Iran and give lawmakers the chance to reject the deal and reimpose sanctions. The five senators introduced their bill just five days after Iran and six world powers announced they had failed to meet a deadline to end the dispute over Iran’s nuclear programme.
Maliki rejects Iran’s urging to step down
AP: The recent meeting between al-Maliki and Iran’s pointman in Iraq, senior general Ghasem Soleimani, was the first sign that Iran also believed he should go. Iran was crucial for al-Maliki in winning a second term four years ago, when Tehran used leverage over Shiite parties to ensure their backing for him during grueling negotiations over a government at the time.
IAEA worried about slow progress in Iran nuclear probe
Reuters: The U.N. nuclear watchdog is concerned about Iran’s current lack of engagement with an investigation into its suspected atomic bomb research, ahead of a deadline next month for Tehran to step up cooperation. Western officials want Iran to address questions by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on allegations of past efforts to develop a nuclear weapons capability, something the country denies.
Iraqi leader Maliki loses backing of Shiite figure and Iran for new term
Wall Street Journal: Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki is losing political support for his bid for a third term from core backers, including the country’s Shiite religious establishment and ally Iran, say Iraqi officials. The shift, officials said, is prompting members of the premier’s own alliance to reconsider their support and dimming the prospect of his stay in power.
