Professor of Middle East History, George Mason University
Professor of Middle East History at George Mason University and author of The Reign of the Ayatollahs: Iran and the Islamic Revolution; husband of Haleh Esfandiari, an American citizen and the director of the Middle Eastern program at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars who was recently imprisoned in Iran
Iran and the U.S.; Nuclear Enrichment and Government Crackdown For the first time in twenty eight years, the United States sat down to official talks with Iran. The subject was the war in Iraq. Both countries agreed they shared a common goal of a stable Iraq, but there were many issues that weren’t on the table at the meeting including Iran’s continued defiance of the international community with its nuclear program. There is also the question of U.S.-Iranian citizens who have been detained during visits to their home country and were charged with espionage today. What is Iran’s agenda in the region, and how should the U.S. respond?
The US and Iran Finally Talk about Iraq After nearly three decades of formal silence, representatives from the US and Iran met in Baghdad yesterday and agreed on the need for a stable Iraq. There were many issues that were not on the table, including Iran's continued defiance of the international community with its nuclear program. There is also the question of US-Iranian citizens who have been detained during visits to their home country and were today charged with espionage . Guest host Sara Terry explores Iran's agenda in the Middle East and US response to it.
Former Iranian President to Visit US Despite growing tension with the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Bush Administration has issued a visa to former President Mohammad Khatami . Though he no longer speaks for Iran, Khatami's two-week visit will demonstrate America's tradition of free speech--which does not exist in Iran itself. How long will he be here? Who will he see? What's the reaction of Iranians who fled their country to live in the US? Shaul Bakhash is a former journalist who left Iran in 1980.
The Democrats take the House. Will the president need more lawyers? The midterms are over. What’s next for President Trump?
What are Orange County Democrats saying to woo voters? Democrats are throwing everything they've got at four Orange County Congressional districts they're hoping to take away from Republicans in next week's midterm elections. But can a party focused on "resistance" to President Trump attract enough moderate Republicans to win in the conservative OC?
Measure B and municipal banking After the 2008 financial crisis, an activist movement rose up in opposition to the big Wall Street banks that caused the subprime mortgage collapse. They camped out in a park at the base of Wall Street, called themselves Occupy Wall street and eventually the movement spread to other cities. And here in LA there is a measure on the ballot for this Tuesday that has its roots in the Occupy LA movement.