Word: parsis
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...Trita Parsi is among the foremost U.S.-based scholars analyzing the current standoff over Iran's nuclear program. He has worked in an advisory capacity in government in both the U.S. and Sweden, and is currently the president of the National Iranian-American Council. In the course of research for his forthcoming book Treacherous Triangle - The Secret Dealings of Iran, Israel and the United States, Parsi interviewed more than 130 leading U.S., Israeli and Iranian officials. With European efforts to broker a compromise with Iran apparently faltering, TIME.com's Tony Karon asked Dr. Parsi to parse the prospects...
...Parsi: Although the EU representative, Javier Solana, reported that progress had been made in his talks with Iran's nuclear negotiator, Ali Larijani, the Iranians have thus far continued to reject the Western demand that Iran suspend uranium enrichment as a precondition for negotiations. Solana and Larijani had been looking for a formula that would have the Iranians halt enrichment activities for a clearly defined period to allow such talks to begin. But the Iranians are reluctant to accept any deal that removes their right to enrich uranium at some point in the future; even if they do so temporarily...
...Parsi: There's a fierce power struggle under way in Iran, and as a result, the nuclear issue has produced a tremendous amount of discussion right now. The regime is trying to establish a consensus in order to avoid a situation where any negotiations with the U.S. are used by one faction to gain domestic advantage over another. There's also concern in Tehran that Washington's real agenda is regime change. I don't think the Bush Administration has resolved the debate in its own ranks on that question. Last week, the House of Representatives passed the Iran Freedom...
...Parsi: First, it is critical to understand that while President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad may be getting all the attention with his scary rhetoric, he's not the one calling the shots in Tehran. Executive power in Iran does not rest with the presidency, but with the Supreme Leader and a couple of executive councils with which he consults. And that's particularly true on matters of foreign policy and national security. While Ahmedinajad was dominating the headlines at the U.N. two weeks ago, Larijiani was back in Iran receiving instructions for the negotiations with the Europeans. Apparently, Ahmadinejad is not actually...
...Parsi: Well, the Europeans believe that diplomacy has not been exhausted until the U.S. comes to the table. Europe is acting as the middle man between the U.S. and Iran, but there's only so much it can do. The Europeans fear sanctions because they know they won't change Iranian behavior, and will therefore bring the situation closer to war. But if, in their judgment, Iran has not done enough, they may be persuaded that they have to do something to punish Iran. But the Europeans see that as a road to disaster. They know Iran is prepared...