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19.05.2010, 14:47 6 comments

ROAR: With new sanctions looming, “positive development” depends on Iran

Moscow describes the language of a new draft resolution on sanctions against Tehran as “adequate” and “acceptable,” but doubts remain about the prospects of the document.

Vladimir Kremlev for RT 16.02.2010, 14:28 5 comments

ROAR: “Moscow will defend diplomatic solution on Iran until last second”

Russia has not yet agreed to unconditionally support new sanctions against Tehran as they may backfire on Moscow, the media say.

13.04.2010, 14:50 2 comments

ROAR: “Sanctions will not stop Iran”

As world leaders discuss the problems of nuclear security in Washington, Iran will develop its nuclear program regardless of outside pressure, analysts believe.

19.04.2010, 14:42 2 comments

ROAR: Iran wants to “disarm great nuclear powers”

Tehran has hosted its own conference on nuclear security to gain support against the pressure from the West and wants to “disarm the world,” the media say.

17.05.2010, 15:13 2 comments

ROAR: Russia seeks new ways to solve Middle East, Iran issues

In recent days the Russian leadership discussed the Iranian nuclear program and the Middle East settlement with the leadership of Turkey, Syria, Brazil and Kuwait.

Vladimir Kremlev for RT 17.06.2009, 14:42 1 comment

ROAR: Russian Opinion and Analytics Review, June 17

This Wednesday ROAR presents opinions on Iranian domestic politics and foreign policy.

Vladimir Kremlev for RT 09.02.2010, 13:50

ROAR: Moscow offers another “window of opportunity” to Hamas

The effectiveness of contacts between Russia and Hamas for the peace settlement in the Middle East is questioned by media. But Moscow already gets practical gains from this dialogue, analysts say.

Vladimir Kremlev for RT 19.05.2009, 13:58

ROAR: Russian Opinion and Analytics Review, May 19

In Tuesday’s ROAR we look at oil markets and how the global economic crisis may shift trends in it. The fate of the US air base in Kyrgyzstan is also in focus.

Vladimir Kremlev for RT 24.08.2009, 13:45

ROAR: “Nobody is fully satisfied with Karzai”

The victory of the incumbent Afghan leader in the second presidential election since the Taliban regime was overthrown will not change the situation in the country, Russian analysts believe.

Vladimir Kremlev for RT 02.10.2009, 08:00

ROAR: Iran and the West “have softened their stances”

Iran should receive one more chance, analysts say, emphasizing Tehran’s willingness to cooperate with IAEA over their second enrichment facility.

ROAR: Russian Opinion and Analytics Review, June 3

Published: 03 June, 2009, 14:18

Vladimir Kremlev for RT

Vladimir Kremlev for RT

TAGS: Middle East, ROAR, Politics, Big deal


On Wednesday, Russian press reports on the thawing of relations between the US and Iran, new aspects of the Opel sell, and the possible independence of Greenland following a parliamentary election.

Nezavisimaya Gazeta has given an overview of what steps Washington and Teheran took recently in a bid to tone down the hostile rhetoric of the past decades. The US State Department instructed its embassies last Friday to invite Iranian diplomats to celebrate American Independence Day on July 4. While there were no reports of how many embassies have been involved in the move, or whether Iran accepted the invitation, this is but one episode in a new policy resembling the “ping-pong diplomacy” that Richard Nixon and Henry Kissinger used in order to break the ice in relations with China.

In addition to publicity-aimed gestures, there are more practical steps. Iranian representatives have been invited to take part in an international conference on Afghanistan settlement in The Hague. Teheran is doing its part in mending the rift too. The biggest friendly move was the release of the Iranian-American journalist Roxana Saberi after changing of her eight-year prison term to a two-year suspended sentence. President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad played a crucial role in the change of the sentence.

Another example is the visit to Teheran of Vali Reza Nasr, an Iranian-American academic and advisor to Richard Holbrooke, who is the Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan under the Obama administration.

The newspaper cites Richard Dalton, an analyst at the Chatham House think tank, who says Washington has reviewed their approach to the Middle Eastern nation. There is no regime change in Iran on the American agenda anymore and US diplomats are now talking with respect towards Iran’s government and its people. If and when this bears fruit is under question: so far Teheran has shown no intention of changing their controversial nuclear policy.

The upcoming acquisition of Opel, by a Canadian-Russian consortium from bankrupt GM, has raised political tension in Poland, reports Vremya Novostej. The country was a mere bystander in the big story, despite its vital interests being concerned. Poland hosts the newest Opel factory in Europe, and some parts for it are produced domestically.

A total of 5,000 Polish jobs are depending on the new owners, who have plans for restructuring Opel production facilities. The fact that it’s part-Russian does not inspire confidence in some of Poland’s politicians, such as ex-Prime Minister Jaroslaw Kaczynski, who fears that the record of troubled relations between Moscow and Warsaw may pay its toll. He blamed Donald Tusk’s government for “sleeping over” the settlement, and failing to get guarantees of employment for Poles from Germany and Russia.

Polish media also speculates that Moscow may force its political agenda upon Poland, with the employment issue used as leverage. The government is trying to rebuff such concerns. “There is no reason to panic,” said the prime minister, pointing out that Opel is too big a company for Poland to be able to save the giant on its own anyway.

Kommersant daily takes a look at Greenland, which has held a snap parliamentary election after receiving greater autonomy from Denmark. Opinion polls suggest that the majority of seats will be given to the opposition left-wing party Inuit Ataqatigiit, says the newspaper. It’s worth noting that official results revealed after the article went into publication have confirmed the forecast.

The party, among other things, supports total independence from Copenhagen. Ironically, the agenda was “hijacked” from the social-democratic Siumut party, which has dominated Greenland’s political life for 30 years since 1979. Back then it was the liberal democrats who pushed forward autonomy for the Danish province, enabling it to have its own parliament and government.

However, prospects of Greenland’s becoming an independent nation are questionable at best, says the newspaper. While it has vast natural resources – including oil, natural gas, gold, diamonds, uranium and zinc – producing them is too costly now. At the moment, Greenland receives 500million euro from the central government, so Copenhagen takes the independence slogans with a light heart, knowing they are far from being put in practice.

Alexandre Antonov, RT

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