The Daily News Digest:  Sunday, August 23, 2009

Iranian Lawmakers Begin Review of Cabinet Nominees (NY TIMES) - Iran’s Parliament began formally reviewing President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s nominees for his cabinet on Sunday in a process that has highlighted deep divisions among Iran’s leaders and the president’s own diminished standing.

The Challenges Of A Nuclear Iran (NPR) – The turmoil that erupted following Iran’s disputed presidential election in June has put the Islamic republic squarely back into the headlines. But in some ways it has obscured a bigger, on-going concern for the U.S. and the international community: the question of whether Iran’s theocratic regime is on its way to becoming a nuclear-armed state.

Expect More Adventurism From Iran (WSJ) – Shortly after the rigged election and popular uprising in Iran, a seductive conventional wisdom emerged in Western policy-making circles: The Iranian regime, if it survived, would be significantly weakened by internal problems and would abandon its regional ambitions. Tehran’s influence in the Middle East will diminish as the hardline regime scrambles to ensure its own survival.

In Iran, report of secret burials brings call for inquiry (LA TIMES) -  An Iranian lawmaker vowed Saturday to examine allegations that dozens of unidentified people killed in the recent post-election unrest were secretly buried last month in the country’s largest cemetery.

Iran Increases Economic Independence (MEDIA LINE) – Iran in is taking several steps from shipbuilding refinery construction to increase its economic self sustainability to counter threat of sanctions.

Lawmaker backs Iranian defense chief nominee (AP) – The head of an influential committee in Iran’s parliament said he believes the nominee for defense minister will be approved despite accusations he was involved in the 1994 bombing of a Jewish cultural center in Argentina, the official IRNA news agency reported on Sunday.

Yemeni Government Fingers Iran as Arms Supplier to Northern Houthi Rebels (HUFFINGTON POST) – The sixth Sa’ada war between central government forces and Houthi rebels in Yemen’s north is well underway and expected to drag given the latter’s rolls of fresh recruits from the region and their unconventional tactics aided by weapons from Iran, according to the country’s ruling party.

Did Mossad hijack Russian ship to stop Iran arms shipment? (JERUSALEM POST) – The mystery surrounding the hijacking of a Russian freighter in July has taken a new twist with reports claiming the pirates were acting in league with the Israeli Mossad secret service in order to halt a shipment of modern weapon systems hidden on board and destined for Iran.

IRAN: Ahmadinejad aide proposes Evin Prison diet plan (LA TIMES) - A close aide to President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad suggested that Mohammad Ali Abtahi, a reformist critic of the president, appeared so gaunt during his televised confession this month because he himself had decided to take off some weight.

Terror suspect ‘to get’ Iran job (BBC) - Iran’s nomination for defence minister is likely to be approved despite being linked to a bombing in Argentina, an influential politician has said.

The Region: Iran and Syria: So happy together (JERUSALEM POST) – One can learn a great deal by analyzing the visit of Syrian President Bashar Assad to Iran last week. Statements made by Assad and Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad reveal a great deal about the allies’ strategy which seems to escape Western observers.

Ahmadinejad rivals rise within conservative camp (AP) - Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad doesn’t have to look to the street protests or angry Web sites to get a sense of challenges ahead for his disputed second term. There’s enough potential heat coming from right inside the country’s leadership.

Cabinet Nominees Criticized In Iran (WASHINGTON POST) - President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s decision to nominate three women as Iran’s first female cabinet members since the 1979 Islamic revolution faced stiff criticism Saturday from clerics and lawmakers, as well as from women’s rights activists.

Source:  Iran News Digest