The Washington Post published the article “Iran might not be the big winner of Mideast uprisings.” The author considers the question: Will Iran benefit from a new strategic order? He concludes that over the past decade, and certainly since Saddam Hussein was removed from Iran's enemies list, Iranian regional influence has increased as U.S. leverage has declined. Iran will try to capitalize on recent events to further this trend. But the United States, too, could capitalize on recent changes and the widespread desire for democratic reforms among Middle Eastern youth. Standing with the people isn't just consistent with American democratic values. It's also good strategy in blunting Iranian influence.
The Guardian reports that four years after a retired FBI agent mysteriously vanished inside Iran, US officials have received proof that he is alive. The US had lacked reliable information about the fate of Robert Levinson since he disappeared in March 2007 from the Iranian island of Kish. It remains unclear who is holding Levinson or where he is. Iran has repeatedly said it has no information about Levinson, but the US diplomats and investigators have long said they believed he was taken by Iranian government agents.
“Qatar to host Russia in March friendly” is an article published by the information agency Reuters. It says that Russia will face fellow World Cup hosts Qatar in an international friendly this month. The March 29 game in Doha would celebrate the two countries' winning bids to host the World Cup. In December, FIFA awarded the 2018 and 2022 World Cups to Russia and Qatar respectively. It will be Russia's second successive friendly in the Gulf region following a 1-0 loss to Iran in Abu Dhabi last month. The Russians restart their Euro 2012 qualifying campaign away to Armenia on March 26.
The Turkish information agency Hurriyet published the article “Öcalan 'peace plan' made public by European court.” As the country’s president affirmed that Kurdistan Workers’ Party, or PKK, leader Abdullah Öcallan would be staying in his İmralı Island jail cell for the foreseeable future, a top European court stepped in to protect some of his rights. The European Court of Human Rights has intervened to deliver a strategic plan to the lawyers of the imprisoned PKK leader 18 months after the documents were seized by Turkish authorities. The road map for a solution to the Kurdish issue in Turkey was prepared by Öcalan and was seized and not made public for 1.5 years. While European court intervention made the release of Öcalan’s long-overdue road map suggestions possible, the state is resolute that nothing can circumvent Turkish courts’ rulings on the PKK head’s imprisonment conditions.
The Iranian information agency Press TV reports that Iran and Tajikistan have mounted a joint exhibition and sale festival in Dushanbe, showcasing the necessary goods for the Persian New Year holidays of Nowruz. Over 25 firms from Iran, Tajikistan, and Afghanistan have participated in the event, displaying their products necessary for Nowruz holidays. Iran and Tajikistan enjoy robust trade relations. The exhibit will help boost trade with Iranian firms while allowing Tajik companies to acquire the expertise they need to develop their own businesses. Iranian companies are also currently involved in several development projects in the country, including the construction of a dam, a hydroelectric power plant, and a tunnel.
