For US friends and rivals, vexing questions about Iran endgame

Here’s the good news: Not just America’s friends, despite growing tensions in the trans-Atlantic alliance, but major rivals like China and Russia are all on the same page when it comes to the spiraling tension between the U.S. and Iran. None of them wants to see a shooting war, and all are relieved that, at least for now, President Donald Trump has drawn back from that option. In other words, what are the respective bottom lines for Washington and Tehran in any non-military resolution of their showdown? Tue, 25 Jun 2019 15:49:24 -0400

---

Iran’s voices that may drive peace with the U.S.

If the U.S. and Iran can avoid violent conflict in the weeks ahead, it will mean the voices of peace have become stronger than the voices for confrontation. In the U.S., such voices are obvious. They start with President Donald Trump’s political base. It wants a focus on domestic issues, not foreign wars. Tue, 25 Jun 2019 15:34:48 -0400

---

US-Iran standoff: Mutual provocations, and moves to de-escalate

“If they make any [wrong] move, we can hit them in the head with our missiles,” declared Brig. Gen. Amir Ali Hajizadeh, commander of the elite Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) aerospace forces. Until now, Iran has rejected any new talks unless Washington rejoins the nuclear deal. Mon, 24 Jun 2019 16:53:11 -0400

---

Why an opposition win in Istanbul weakens Erdoğan’s grip

For the true believers of Turkey’s ruling party, the opposition’s victory Sunday in Istanbul mayor’s race was inconceivable. “It’s impossible, absolutely impossible,” that the Justice and Development Party (AKP) could lose, predicted Ertuğrul, a volunteer at a party kiosk on the eve of the vote. Istanbul’s new mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu – who ruled for 18 days in April, before his victory was annulled – declared that authoritarian rule has been dented in Turkey. Mon, 24 Jun 2019 16:49:42 -0400

---