Strait of Hormuz

A Dire Strait

Dan Rather | Posted 05.29.2012

Dan Rather

Two weeks ago, I made the transit through the Strait of Hormuz to the Arabian Sea. Surrounded by a destroyer, a missile cruiser and several Seahawk helicopters, we were hardly inconspicuous as we transited the Strait. And that is the point.

Barack Obama Prepares for War Footing

Edwin Black | Posted 03.19.2012

Edwin Black

A newly-propounded Executive Order renews and updates the president's power to take control of all civil energy supplies, including oil and natural gas, control and restrict all civil transportation, and even provides the option to re-enable a draft.

Poking a Stick in the Hornet's Nest of Iran

Rizwan A. Rahmani | Posted 04.21.2012

Rizwan A. Rahmani

When I visited Iran in the late '70s, only months before the Iranian revolution, some of the things I saw took on a different light after the overthro...

There's A Threat To The Global Economy 'Right In Front Of Us'

Reuters | Posted 04.25.2012

MEXICO CITY, Feb 24 (Reuters) - The International Monetary Fund flagged higher oil prices as a rising threat to the global economy on Friday, urging...

Oil Embargoes, Sherlock Holmes, and the Russian Butler

Raymond J. Learsy | Posted 04.21.2012

Raymond J. Learsy

The tumult and fabricated anxieties over Iran's oil supply give ample cover to an oil price veering ever higher -- prices explained away by the political tensions at hand. But the question needs to be asked -- what is really driving oil prices?

It's Saudi Arabia, Stupid!

Haggai Carmon | Posted 04.09.2012

Haggai Carmon

With the winds of Israel-Iran war looming, albeit thus far primarily in the media, many observers speculate whether Israel will launch an attack on Iranian nuclear installations.

Iran: War Drums Beating

Michael S. Lofgren | Posted 04.08.2012

Michael S. Lofgren

The idea of an Islamic bomb exerts a peculiar fascination on American political culture and shines a searchlight on the gross dysfunctionality of American politics.

Hormuz-Mania

Michael T. Klare | Posted 04.01.2012

Michael T. Klare

Oil, the prestige of global dominance, Iran's urge to be a regional power, and domestic political factors are all converging in a combustible mix to make the Strait of Hormuz the most dangerous place on the planet.

U.N. Begins Iran Nuclear Inspection

AP | ALI AKBAR DAREINI | Posted 03.30.2012

TEHRAN, Iran — Iran's foreign minister expressed optimism Sunday that a visit by U.N. inspectors to Iran's nuclear facilities would produce an u...

Pentagon Wants Commando 'Mothership' In Middle East

The Washington Post | Posted 01.27.2012

The Pentagon is rushing to send a large floating base for commando teams to the Middle East as tensions rise with Iran, al-Qaeda in Yemen and Somali p...

Iran, the West, and the Lessons of the Great War

Rajan Menon | Posted 03.28.2012

Rajan Menon

History reveals several pathways to war; but, as the tension between the West and Iran revs up, two seem particularly relevant because of the lessons they offer for those seeking to contain the crisis.

King Abdullah, Why Isn't the OPEC Cabal Responding?

Raymond J. Learsy | Posted 03.27.2012

Raymond J. Learsy

Your Highness, just in case you have not been doing Your sums consider the following: where natural gas and crude oil were traditionally priced in tandem almost step by step, with the vast new supplies of natural gas here, that relationship has now changed dramatically.

Can Sanctions Bring Iran to the Table?

Jayshree Bajoria | Posted 03.25.2012

Jayshree Bajoria

The sanctions take place in a climate of increasing tension and concern over U.S. military action, an option the Obama administration said remains on the table. The administration hopes the sanctions will cause enough economic pain to force Tehran to engage in diplomacy.

UK Steps Up Criticism Of Iran

AP | ALI AKBAR DAREINI and BRIAN MURPHY | Posted 03.25.2012

TEHRAN, Iran — Military power near the strategic Strait of Hormuz could be bolstered by additional British forces, the country's defense secreta...

Ending the Conflict With Iran So Everyone Wins

Scott Baker | Posted 03.24.2012

Scott Baker

Why are President Obama and Secretary of State Clinton seemingly so bereft of ideas on how to handle Iran's nuclear ambitions? I'm not going to was...

Iranian Lawmakers Step Up Threats To Close Strait Of Hormuz

AP | NASSER KARIMI and BRIAN MURPHY | Posted 03.24.2012

TEHRAN, Iran — Senior Iranian lawmakers have stepped up threats that Islamic Republic warships could block the Persian Gulf's oil tanker traffic...

U.S. Navy Rescues Iranian Fishermen, Again

Posted 01.19.2012

For the third time this month, the U.S. Navy has come to the aid of Iranian fishermen. On Wednesday, the guided-missile destroyer USS Dewey came th...

Obama Reportedly Sends Secret Letter To Iran, Proposes Talks

AP | ALI AKBAR DAREINI | Posted 03.19.2012

TEHRAN, Iran — An Iranian lawmaker claimed Wednesday that President Barack Obama called for direct talks with Iran in a secret letter to the Isl...

The Navy's Surprise Weapon Against Iran

Posted 01.21.2012

With fears that Iran may attempt to block the Strait of Hormuz, the U.S. Navy may call upon the underwater mine-detecting capabilities of dolphins to ...

Not Another War, Please!

Dr. Charles G. Cogan | Posted 03.18.2012

Dr. Charles G. Cogan

Though the Iran hostage crisis of 1979-1980 ended unsatisfactorily from the point of view of U.S. honor, a great power needs to get beyond residual rancors.

Closure of Hormuz Strait: An Actual Threat or Diplomacy?

Sara Vakhshouri | Posted 03.17.2012

Sara Vakhshouri

Since there is no ongoing dialogue between the US and Iran, the threat to close the Straight of Hormuz should be seen as an act of subtle diplomacy in the absence of ambassadors and embassies.

U.S. Warns Top Iran Leader Not To Shut Strait Of Hormuz

The New York Times | Posted 01.13.2012

The Obama administration is relying on a secret channel of communication to warn Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, that closing the Str...

Fidel Castro and Ahmadinejad Need Each Other

Yoani Sanchez | Posted 03.12.2012

Yoani Sanchez

The last time Mahmoud Ahmadinejad stepped on Cuban soil, Fidel Castro's illness had been announced a few weeks prior, generating tons of speculation.

Danger Waters

Michael T. Klare | Posted 03.11.2012

Michael T. Klare

Welcome to an edgy world where a single incident at an energy "chokepoint" could set a region aflame, provoking bloody encounters, boosting oil prices, and putting the global economy at risk.

Gunfight in the Strait of Hormuz: Who Will Be Left Standing?

Haggai Carmon | Posted 03.09.2012

Haggai Carmon

Will Iran act on its warnings and block international waters preventing commercial oil shipments? Will the U.S. move and strike Iran? Who will blink first?