Rise of the ‘Iran Lobby
Feb 27th, 2009Teheran’s front groups move on– and into– the Obama Administration
http://www.centerforsecuritypolicy.org/p17907.xml
Center for Security Policy | Feb 25, 2009
By Clare M. Lopez
A complex network of individuals and organizations with ties to the clerical regime in Tehran is pressing forward in seeming synchrony to influence the new U.S. administration’s policy towards the Islamic Republic of Iran. Spearheaded by a de facto partnership between the National Iranian-American Council (NIAC), the Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR) and other organizations serving as mouthpieces for the mullahs’ party line, the network includes well-known American diplomats, congressional representatives, figures from academia and the think tank world.
This report– documenting the rise of what can accurately be described as the “Iran Lobby” in Washington, D.C.–is derived entirely from unclassified open sources and describes in detail the activities, linkages, and objectives of this alarming alliance between NIAC, CAIR and others that is aimed at co-opting America’s foreign policy in the Middle East and specifically with Iran.
Understanding the involvement of the Tehran regime in the foundation and continuing activities of organizations like these and their allies will become increasingly important to understanding the extent of the regime’s influence on American foreign policy decisions regarding Iran.
As these organizations expand, multiply and, in the process, intensify their efforts to promote a shared and minous agenda, it is imperative to recognize the role being played by what amount to their interlocking (or at least overlapping) boards of directors, donations from the same foundations and growing access to some key members of Congress and top levels of US policymaking circles. Of special concern is the growing penetration of the Obama Administration by a number of individuals with such associations.
To be sure, efforts at influencing U.S. decision-making are common among a host of legitimate interest roups, including many foreign countries. But in this context, where the guiding force behind such influence operations emanate from the senior-most levels of a regime like Iran’s – which holds the top spot on the State Department list of state-sponsors of terror, makes no secret of its hatred and enmity for the United States and its ally, Israel, and acts in myriad ways to support those who have assassinated, held hostage, kidnapped, killed and tortured American civilians and military personnel over a 30-year period – such operations must be viewed with serious concern.
Specifically, the de facto alliance between CAIR, one of the Muslim Brotherhood affiliates named by the U.S. Department of Justice as an unindicted co- conspirator in the 2007 and 2008 Holy Land Foundation trials, and groups such as NIAC and its predecessor, the American-Iranian Council (AIC), which long have functioned openly as apologists for the Iranian regime, must arouse deep concern that U.S. national security policy is being successfully targeted by Jihadist entities hostile to American interests.
Clare M. Lopez is the Vice President of the Intelligence Summit and a professor at the
Centre for Counterintelligence and Security Studies. Ms. Lopez received her B.A. in
Communications and French from Notre Dame College of Ohio and a M.A. in International
Relations from the Maxwell School at Syracuse University. She speaks and writes widely on
Middle East issues.
Excellent and thorough report by Ms. Lopez. Thanks!
I just like to add that Alex Patico was the Treasurer of both NIAC and CASMII at the same time. Furthermore, individuals like Shahram Mustarshed who was also a Board Member of CASMII, used to be a member of anothor Mullah NGO in Norhern California called “antidescrimination.org” (aka Persian Cats) headed by Hooshang Amirahmadi and Susan Akbarpour (the wife of the founder of IAPAC).
Aonther member and Treasurer of antidiscrimination.org was also Bagher Harandi, who later ran for Iran’s Presidency in 2001 (see http://www.payvand.com/news/01/may/1020.html). As you can see, Amirahmadi was not the only person from Antidescrimination.org who ran for Iran’s Presidency.
BTW, Susan Akbapour (aka Zahra Mashhadi) and her husband, Faraj Aalaei were couple of strong supporters and fund-raisors for Goli Ameri Congressional run. Currently, Goli Ameri’s husband runs a pro-mullah NGO called PAIAA headed by Goli’s husband and Rudi Bakhtiar. PAIAA also recently announced a joined collaboration with IAPAC of Susan and her husband.
Oh, here is the Board members of PWC (Persian Watch Cat):
http://web.archive.org/web/20010302211233/antidiscrimination.org/board.htm where you can see the names of Amirahmadi, Akbarpour, Sharam Mustarshed (the Webmaster) and Bagher Harandi among others. Just to reinforce what Ms. Lopez and many Iranians such Mr. Dai have been saying regarding the penetration of mullah supporters into U.S. Presidintial Administration, please read below.
This how it goes:
Mr. Harandi, according to the above link, was the Treasurer of PWC in 2001 and working with Susan Akbapour and Hooshang Amirahmadi. Mr. Harandi is or was in Persian rug business and an importer and lives in NY. Also from the above link you will notice that Davood Rahni (aka David) was also the predident of PWC.
On 7/6/2000, Mr. Harandi writes a very kind and appeasing letter to his dear President Khatami (see http://www.payvand.com/news/00/jul/1033.html ).
In less than 6 months, on December 20, 2000, Mr. Rahni writes a letter to Bush and Cheney Transition team, recommending Mr. Harandi in an Advisory capacity (see http://www.harandiha.com/news2.htm).
In May of 2001, Mr. Harandi, decides to run for Iran’s Presidency (see http://www.payvand.com/news/01/may/1020.html).
On 7/24/2003, however, Mr. Rahni writes of Mr. Harandi’s support of John Kerry (see http://www.payvand.com/news/03/jul/1169.html).
But all this was happening while Mr. Harandi was very pleased to attend AIC’s conference on 3/25/2001 where Bob Ney attended (see http://www.harandiha.com/news8.htm). Or on 12/18/2001 when Tom Pickering attended (see http://www.harandiha.com/news16.htm).
How many Iranians do you know who enjoy writing to Khatami, run for Iran’s presidency, collaborating with Akbarpour and Amirahmadi, yet attempting to work for Bush and Cheney’s team as advisor?
Thank you Mrs. Lopez. We Iranian who are fighting Mullahs, need some support from our American counterpart. Shedding light on Iran lobby is one of the most important job of Iranian Americans. Thanks Mr. Dai for your efforts that encourage others to join you.
Thank to Mrs.Lopez And other American friend and Iranian fellow citizen for their effort to disclose mullas
terror network.To fight and disclose terrorist Islamic regime i Iran is a common cause av mankind.This fascist regime is not only the enemy of Iranian people but it is dangerous for all people of the world .It is as dangerous as Nazi Germany.