Russia flits from Tehran to Washington
Just when Russia's 14-year saga over building a nuclear plant for Iran appeared at an end, Moscow has pointed to financial problems that will delay the facility's scheduled opening next month. In doing this, Russia is sending a message not so much to Tehran as to Washington, that it is considering a move more into the US's orbit. - Dmitry Shlapentokh (Jul

Iran awash with mistrust and despair
The announcement of the Guardians Council on Monday to uphold the landslide election victory of President Mahmud Ahmadinejad has only deepened the anger and frustration on the streets of Iran. Rights groups are now concerned that those arrested over the past two weeks are under pressure - possibly being tortured - to confess to cooperation with foreign governments. (Jul 1,'09)

Obama faces a Persian rebuff
The Barack Obama administration badly fumbled after a magnificent start in addressing the situation in Iran. The White House must now deal with Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei at the peak of his political power, and President Mahmud Ahmadinejad - who will now negotiate from a position of unprecedented strength. All things taken into account, there has been a policy crisis in Washington. - M K Bhadrakumar

Obama creates a deadly power vacuum

President Barack Obama has not betrayed the interests of the United States to any foreign power, but he has done the next worst thing, namely, to create a void by withdrawing American power. By removing America as a referee, he will provoke more violence than the United States ever did. A very, very dangerous period is about to begin, and it could start with Iran. (Jun 29,'09)