Monday's Daily Briefing on Iran

DoctorZin reports, 5.29.2006:

Ahmadinejad's strategy.

• Amir Taheri, The Jerusalem Post reported that while some in Washington still talk of "preemptive war" against "rogue states," Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is practicing what could be labelled "preemptive diplomacy." An examination of the Iranian strategy.

Ahmadinejad speeds to consolidate power.

• The New York Times reported that President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is trying to consolidate power in the office of the presidency in a way never before seen in the 27-year history of the Islamic Republic.

The student protests in Tehran. a must read.

• Rooz Online provided a detailed report on the recent student unrest in Tehran.
  

US pressures western nations on Iran.

• Reuters reported that the United States is pushing Europe and Japan to use broad sanctions to financially pressure Iran's leadership if diplomacy fails to resolve an international dispute over Iran's nuclear activities.
• Times Online reported that the US Government is putting Britain’s £1 billion annual trade with Iran at risk by pressing European banks to withdraw from the country.

Russia delays delivery of its air defense system.

• Middle East Newsline reported that Russia has again signaled a delay in the delivery of advanced air defense systems to Iran.

Direct talks with Iran a trap.

• Investor's Business Daily, in an editorial, warned that if the U.S. were to engage in bilateral talks with Iran, it would let Iran play the "America as bully" card, claiming the U.S. is being too tough on a "developing" nation.

Here are a few other news items you may have missed.

• Reporters Without Borders called for the “immediate release” of two Azeri journalists, Amin Movahedi and Orouj Amiri.
• The Jerusalem Post reported that Iran has turned to Greece to convey messages to the United States regarding its contentious nuclear program and other disputes, officials said.