The Iran Brief® Policy, Trade & Strategic Affairs

An investigative tool for business executives, government, and the media.

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Issue No. 45, April 6, 1998

• 4501 The Great Game in Afghanistan. Iran, Russia, Pakistan and the United States are locked in a high-stakes struggle over natural gas export routes, that will determine the energy future of hundreds of millions of people in South Asia. Senior government officials in Pakistan detailed the extraordinary and little-known "great game" being waged in Afghanistan, involving oil and gas pipelines, terrorism and subversion inside Pakistan, and massive arms shipments and direct military aid to the Afghan Northern Alliance, in recent interviews with Iran Brief publisher Kenneth R. Timmerman in Islamabad. 1520 words
• 4502 The Public Policy Dance... U.S. public gestures toward Iran have been unprecedented, and many have gone unnoticed. 796 words
• 4503 ...And the Secret track But behind the scenes, The Iran Brief has learned, the U.S. and Iran have renewed secret talks through a non-diplomatic back channel in recent months which, if successful, could lead to renewed U.S. commercial ties with Iran and much more. 1126 words
• 4504 Elf follows Total to Iran New oil deals flaunt sanctions. 288 words
• 4505 Radio Free Iran down but not out. White House tries to scuttle radio; former CIA officer vies for post 642 words
• 4506 Factional tensions mount. Report from Tehran 627 words
• 4507 Regime officials to address California forum. State gives visas in gesture to Tehran...And opposition heckles the organizers. 798 words
• 4508 Khatami advisor defends stoning. Rights abuse continues . 276 words
• 4509 Iranian missile threat prompts new legislation. Missile defense plan specifically targeted against the Shahab-3 and Shahab-4 462 words
• 4510 New Missile contracts. Russia continues tech transfer. 248 words
• 4511 U.S. claims it stopped China nuclear transfer 310 words
• 4512 Weapons smuggling blocked by Customs. Iran agent caught. 417 words
• 4513 Iran sending spies to college in U.S. FBI decries no controls. 122 words
• 4514 Mujahedin account unfrozen Despite terrorism list, Virginia judge returns MEK money 104 words

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