Mahmoud Ahmadinejad

By Adam Raney in Americas on January 10th, 2012
Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez and Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad shake hands during a welcoming ceremony [Reuters]

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez and Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad exchanged warm embraces and signed several trade and political agreements on Monday.

Few details were given to the press - other than that the agreements were meant to expand research in science, nanotechnology, industry and politics.

It was more a display of how they were deepening ties on economic development projects and strengthening their political alliance. Chavez touted ongoing projects such as food processing plants, and tractor and bicycle factories - all of which were built in Venezuela with Iran's help.

He even included pre-recorded segments at the press confence where workers gave viewers tours of corn processing plants and milk treatment plants.

For two of the world's most oil-rich countries though, the projects seemed a bit small scale to be highlighted for the international press.

By Al Jazeera Staff in Middle East on March 17th, 2011
Photo by AFP

The latest news, photos and videos from Bahrain, where security forces have arrested several opposition figures hours after they dispersed pro-democracy protesters from Manama centre.

(All times are local in Bahrain, GMT +3)

By Al Jazeera Staff in Africa on February 22nd, 2011
Protesters chant anti-government slogans in Tobruk [Reuters]

As the uprising in Libya enters its tenth day, we keep you updated on the developing situation from our headquarters in Doha, Qatar.

By Gabriel Elizondo in Americas on May 15th, 2010
Photo from EPA

 Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva is making a visit to the Islamic Republic of Iran on May 15-17 for meetings with Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and others. The trip comes on the heels of Ahmadinejad’s visit to Brasilia in November of last year.

Lula has been outspoken in his belief that Iran has a right to peaceful nuclear energy, and his desire that the international community avoid new sanctions against Iran. Lula’s trip to Tehran could represent for the international community its last, best shot at a negotiated solution before the UN takes up a vote on new sanctions.

Brazil is taking a leading diplomatic role in a dicey international issue that sits outside its normal sphere of diplomatic influence.

By Alireza Ronaghi in Americas, Middle East on April 14th, 2010
Photo by Reuters

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Iran's president, said on Tuesday that he had written a letter to Barack Obama, his US counterpart.

The contents were not revealed, but he hinted that it included a piece of advice for Obama - grab the opportunity, resume ties with Iran, this is your only chance of achieving anything during your presidency.

His tone was unbelievably soft, even sympathetic at times, when he spoke about Obama.

He said it would be unfair to say Obama has failed to deliver his promise and has not made any changes during the first year of his time in office.

But most interesting of all, was the president's comment about a mystical "formula" that, if found, could safeguard Iran's interests in dealing with the US.

Many Iranians, still suspicious of any kind of co-operation with the West, truly wish that such a formula existed. 

By Marwan Bishara in Imperium on March 29th, 2010
Photo from EPA

After year-long optimism that the three decade old US-Iran standoff might finally come to an accommodation, the two sides are ratcheting up their rhetoric and in the process risk new escalation with unpredictable consequences.

This weekend's leaked US intelligence reports about Iran's plans to build new nuclear reactors are adding urgency to already tense relations.

Washington has taken advantage of Tehran's nuclear programme and regional ambitions to portray Iran as a dangerous regional power that must be contained, deterred, and if/when necessary, confronted sooner rather than later.

Washington's 'psychological warfare' against Tehran has been fought in the diplomatic and public opinion arenas, as well as in the Gulf where the US military has been parading it war ships.

Media leaks drip-fed by the US and Israel envisions attacks on Iran's nuclear and military facilities as well as proxy wars against Iran's allies.

By Marwan Bishara in Imperium on February 27th, 2010

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By Gabriel Elizondo in Americas on November 22nd, 2009
Photo from AFP
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is making a one-day stop in Brasilia, Brazil on Monday for meetings with President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. It will be the third meeting between the two leaders, and the first time for an Iranian president to come to Brazil. The visit comes just a few days after Shimon Peres and Mahmoud Abbas dropped in for official visits with Lula. This has led to speculation, which I touched on in a previous post, about Brazil perhaps trying to take a more active diplomatic role in the peace process in the Middle East.
 
Lula seems to relish the idea.  And he is not trying to damper the expectations, just the opposite. In fact, on Sunday, he said this:
 
By Gabriel Elizondo in Americas on November 16th, 2009
Photo by Reuters

There are some interesting diplomatic dynamics from Brazil in relation to the Middle East, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and relations between Iran and the United States.

Consider these travel schedules:

ISRAEL: President Shimon Peres visited Brazil last week – Nov. 10 through 15 – making stops in Brasilia, Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. Peres’ visit marked the first time an Israeli head of state visited Brazil since Zalman Shazar did so in July 1966. (The visit barely registered on international radar screens, or in Brazil for that matter, as on Peres' first night in Brazil the country saw a nationwide power outage that cut electricity to nearly 90 million people.)

Nevertheless, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva met with Peres in Brasila. Afterwards the foreign ministry sent out a press release trumpeting the fact both countries signed a cinematography co-production agreement.

By Alireza Ronaghi in Middle East on August 23rd, 2009

The presiding board of Iran's parliament announced on Sunday that it had received the letter from President Ahmadinejad introducing 21 ministers of his next cabinet.

The official announcement marks the beginning of a week-long period of analysis, lobbying and debates in parliament halls over the credentials and qualifications of the ministerial nominees.

For the time being, some MPs are confident that at least four nominees will not win parliament's vote of confidence. Others believe that Ahmadinejad's choices of female ministers will face serious opposition among orthodox conservatives. 

Most popular nominees, as far as their relevant parliament committees are concerned, seem to be the ministers of foreign affairs, interior, intelligence and defense, despite the fact tha the nominated defense minister is on Interpol's wanted list.

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