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May 3, 2012 What if the Persepolis Tablets were sold on eBay?               Click to watch video                   This month we celebrate 10 years serving the Iranian-American community.  On May 1, 2002, the National Iranian American Council opened its doors.  We are grateful for your support all these years. For ten years, NIAC has tackled these and other tough problems – and gotten results.  For ten years, our community has had a strong voice. This voice is needed now more than ever. We must not sit by and let Tehran turn into Baghdad. We must not let Iran's children perish under falling bombs – and America falter under the weight of yet another conflict.  As Iranian Americans, we must take a stance against war. And we must invest in our community and future.  By investing in NIAC, you help protect the next generation and beyond. Click to Watch Video & Donate Today>> Tavalod, Tavalod, Tavalodet Mobarak NIAC! By: Nobar Elmi - Opinion Featured in Iranian.com Ten years ago today, the National Iranian American Council (NIAC) was born. While I technically wasn’t there as a staffer to see it for myself, I’d like to say I was there in spirit.  The reason being, as long as I can remember, I’ve wanted an organization that fights for the rights of the Iranian-American community.  And, as long as I can remember, I’ve wanted our community to have a voice and be more than what the media and others define us to be. We’ve all felt the dilemma of being proud of our heritage, but tired at times of feeling like we have to defend it. We’ve all felt the desire to be treated as one of “us,” instead of one of “them.”  We’ve all wanted to be heard, rather than told what our community – and loved ones still living in Iran – should do/say/feel. And, that’s exactly why I joined NIAC. Read More >> Dysfunctional Congress Threatens Iran Talks By: David Elliott - Analysis Featured in The Huffington Post As the United States and Iran look for an exit ramp off the road to war, they may find a surprising new obstacle: the very sanctions legislation that many credit for bringing Iran back to the negotiating table. As a result of that sanctions bill, Congress now has the de-facto power to block any diplomatic solution to the Iranian nuclear issue. And the scary reality is that the same dysfunctional institution that almost drove the nation into default last summer can exercise this veto power over diplomacy by doing what it does best: nothing at all. Read More >> Listen - Oil Embargo: Third Time's A Charm? By: "Let's Talk Iran" Podcast  How effective is an oil embargo on Iran? Will a third oil embargo bring about change in the Iranian government's stance on their nuclear program? What are the Iranians doing to prepare in order to prevent their economy from collapsing? What are those countries who used to be consumers of Iranian oil doing to make sure their oil needs are still met? What are the unintended consequences of this embargo? These questions and more are answered by Dr. Sara Vakhshouri, President at SVB Energy and former advisor to the Director of the National Iranian Oil Company International. Listen and Subscribe >> Bibi, Let Go By: Trita Parsi - Opinion Featured in The Daily Beast In the last few months, Israel’s security and strategic options have changed dramatically. Against the backdrop of the Arab uprisings, Netanyahu’s campaign to force Obama’s hand on Iran has failed. Obama made it clear in March that he would not go to war with Iran over uranium enrichment, as Bibi had requested. Instead, he would reinvest in diplomacy and opt for a solution based on limiting and inspecting—not eliminating—Iran’s enrichment program. And if diplomacy succeeds, Obama won’t go to war with Iran at all. Rather, a reduction of US-Iran tensions will follow, which may have significant repercussions throughout the region. As a stalwart opponent of US-Iran diplomacy, Netanyahu is putting Israel on the opposite side of the US. Israel must now make a choice: Either continue to obstruct Obama’s diplomatic strategy and risk greater tensions with Israel’s most important ally, or shift gears and opt to influence the talks instead. Read More >>