Ten reasons why the Iranian regime is more dangerous than Daesh Google+ Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi -KHAMENEI Dr. Majid Rafizadeh Arab News, 16 November 2017  - Western powers place Daesh at the top of their counterterrorism and foreign policy agenda, characterizing the terrorist group as the No. 1 national security threat. Before Daesh, it was Al-Qaeda. This strategic and security prioritization is misplaced. For the following reasons, the Iranian regime is far more of a security threat to the world than non-state terrorist groups such as Daesh. First, the Iranian regime’s leaders and military generals enjoy the legitimacy of the nation-state system endorsed by the UN, even though the regime is neither a democracy nor representative of the Iranian nation. As a result, the interventions, military adventurism and crimes against humanity committed by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), the Quds Force and their militias draw less attention because the...

The ultimate multidimensional Iran strategy 10/29/2017 6:22:35 PM   facebook Google+ ► Print Iran ballistic missiles Dr. Majid Rafizadeh Arab News, 28 October 2017  - Many governments and institutions have failed to implement a successful Iran policy because they do not examine the whole picture. An effective policy should not just focus on one of Iran’s activities, such as funding and arming terrorist groups. It should be a broad, multidimensional strategy that includes, among other things, Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs, regional interventions, terrorist-related activities and human rights abuses. This comprehensive strategy emphasizes the use of soft power and prevents a war with Iran. The ballistic missile program, which is a pillar of Iran’s foreign policy and is directly linked to the nuclear program, should be restricted and part of any nuclear deal. States should urge the UN Security Council (UNSC) to impose sancti...

Foreign Policy: Iran, Democracy, Freedom, Human Rights 10/18/2017 7:52:59 AM Dr. Majid Rafizadeh Speaking and Briefing at The United States Congress. Dr. Majid Rafizadeh Huffington Post, October 16, 2017  - Earlier this week, I spoke at a Congressional briefing, on the Capitol Hill. I was joined by bi-partisan Members of the U.S. House of Representatives, including Reps. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, Chair, House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee of the Middle East and North Africa; Judge Ted Poe (R-TX), Chair, House FAC Subcommittee on Terrorism, Non-proliferation and Trade; Rep. Steve Shabot (R-OH), Senior Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee; Brad Sherman (D-CA), senior member of the HFAC; Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX), senior member of the Judiciary Committee, Tom Garrett (R-VA), House Foreign Affairs Committee; Rep. Steve Cohen (D-TN), Member of the Judiciary Committee, Co-Chair House Iran Human Rights and Democracy Caucus. Professor Kazem Kazeronian...

Video:The US Government and Treasury Designate Iran IRGC as Terrorist Organization 10/15/2017 5:27:08 PM The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps is Iran’s most powerful security and military organization, responsible for the protection and survival of the regime. Dr. Majid Rafizadeh Huffington Post, October 14, 2017  - In one of the most critical and historic developments since the establishment of the Islamic Republic 1979,  Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) is now  designated  as a terrorist organization- Specially Designated Global Terrorists- by the US Government.    US DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASUR Y This development bears significant and serious legal, political and economic implications on dealings with the Islamic Republic and the IRGC. The IRGC is the backbone of the clerical establishment in Iran. It controls significant sections of Iran’s economic and ideological centers. The senior cadres o...