ASEAN not happy with China Free Trade Zone; U.S. cyber-attacks traced back to Chinese colleges

India, China struggle for influence in neighborhood; Russia-China trade drops precipitously in 2009

If it's true that in politics you are judged by the caliber of your enemies, Yukiya Amano is off to a stellar start. The 62-year-old Japanese technocrat has only been at the helm of the U.N.'s nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), for two months, but he is already exceedingly unpopular with the Iranian regime.

A shift of focus in Washington...; ...but one step forward, one step back abroad

The funny thing about windows of opportunity is that they have a way of closing. Over the past year, spurred by mounting worries over Iran's nuclear ambitions, Congress has taken up the issue of economic pressure against the Islamic Republic in earnest. The result is a series of sanctions bills aimed at targeting what is commonly viewed as the regime's economic Achilles' Heel: its deep dependence on foreign refined petroleum.

When it comes to Iran, the Obama administration could learn a thing or two from Europe. That is because, even as Washington clings doggedly to its plans for "engagement" with Tehran, there are signs that a new consensus is emerging in Europe about confronting the Islamic Republic.

On Nov. 24, the Dutch parliament caused a minor political earthquake on the Old Continent when it voted to designate Iran's powerful clerical army, the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC), as a terrorist group under Netherlands law. The same measure also called for the IRGC to be put on the European Union's terror list--a step that would harmonize U.S. and European approaches toward Iran's ideological army.

Iran's Basijis get younger; IRGC takes control of intelligence...; ...and plans anti-PSYOP commands; Shoring up Khamenei's supremacy; Thumbing their nose at gasoline sanctions

Al Qaeda threatens Beijing; India: China fueling rebel arms market

Walking back the dog on democracy promotion; Iran finds opportunity within adversity; A new monopoly for the Pasdaran; Scrambling to thwart gasoline sanctions

Role of PAP clarified; Cheap goods generate backlash in Iran