Soraya Sepahpour-Ulrich

Soraya Sepahpour-Ulrich is an independent researcher and writer with a focus on US foreign policy and the role of lobby groups in influencing US foreign policy. She is a peace activist, essayist and public speaker. Soraya has a bachelor’s degree in International Relations from the University of Southern California (USC), and has a master’s degree in Public Diplomacy – a joint program offered by USC Annenberg for Communication and USC School of International Relations. Her writings are published by various national and international websites.

Five Years On, the Nefarious Goals of the Iran Nuclear Deal Reveal Themselves

July 14, 2020 marks the fifth anniversary of the so-called Iran Nuclear Deal and five years on it has become more clear than ever that it was never meant to succeed.

Soraya Sepahpour-Ulrich
By Soraya Sepahpour-Ulrich
Iran deal Feature photo

Iran, due to its geopolitical position, has always been considered a jewel in the crown of the colonial powers. Attempts to conquer it through proxy started with Operation Ajax in August of 1953 at the behest of the British and were ultimately carried out by the CIA and not abandoned even with the ousting of America’s man, the Shah.  Although the

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Mike Pompeo Has a Hard Time Kicking Old Habits

“I was the CIA director. We lied, We Cheated, We Stole”.  – Mike Pompeo

Soraya Sepahpour-Ulrich
By Soraya Sepahpour-Ulrich
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo meets with coalition forces at Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan, July 9, 2018. Andrew Harnik | AP

“I was the CIA director. We lied, We Cheated, We Stole”.  – Mike Pompeo It appears that Mike Pompeo has a hard time kicking his old habits.  He appears to be as smug about lying as a CIA operative as he is as Secretary of State.  Categorically blaming the Iranians for the recent oil attack tankers has left allies scratching their heads; and

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A Cathedral and a Mosque Engulfed in Fire; One Ravages the Past, the Other Threatens the Future

While fire ravaged Notre Dame, another historical place of worship, al Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem, fell victim to a fire of an unknown origin.

Soraya Sepahpour-Ulrich
By Soraya Sepahpour-Ulrich
France Notre Dame Fire

The world reacted with shock to the fire that engulfed the Notre Dame Cathedral. A symbol of Paris,  this 13th Century architectural marvel is home to precious historical religious relics and artwork;  made even more famous throughout the world by Victor Hugo’s famous novel, The Hunchback of Notre-Dame. World leaders were quick to react to the

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Trump’s Iran Scheme Probably Won’t Pay Off

Messing with Iran’s oil exports is not an alternative that the world can afford.  It may well be that Mr. Trump is beholden to Mr. Netanyahu. He may well feel comfortable enough to subject the American people – and their allies to financial hardship; but the question is will Americans and the rest of the world sacrifice themselves at the Trump-Netanyahu altar?  

Soraya Sepahpour-Ulrich
By Soraya Sepahpour-Ulrich
Donald Trump | Iran

It is as clear as day that President Trump is obsessed with regime change in Iran. What is not made clear is how much his gambit is damaging to Americans and American interests. Without cause or justification, Mr. Trump pulled out of the Joint Comprehensive Plan Of Action (JCPOA), striking a hard blow to America’s European allies – and its own

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When the US Pledged Not to Intervene in Iran’s Internal Affairs

The 1981 Algiers Accords laid out the legal framework for US-Iranian relations, including provisions forbidding interference in each other’s internal politics and a ban on trade sanctions. One party to the agreement violated it terms almost as soon as the ink was dry.

Soraya Sepahpour-Ulrich
By Soraya Sepahpour-Ulrich
U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Warren Christopher, (left), shakes the hand of Algerian Foreign Minister Mohamed Ben Yahia, after the signing of the formal agreement between the United States and Iran to Free the American hostages, at the Foreign Ministry in Algiers, on Jan. 19, 1981. (AP Photo)

This week marks the 37th anniversary of a pledge made by the United States in 1981: The United States pledges that it is and from now on will be the policy of the United States not to intervene, directly or indirectly, politically or militarily, in Iran's internal affairs.” This week also marks 37 continuous years of the United States failing to

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El-Sisi: Egypt’s Antihero And The Broader Regional Implications

In sharp contrast to Nasser, el-Sisi, Egypt’s antihero has thrown his lot in with Israel and Saudi Arabia against his Arab brethren.   El-Sisi’s betrayal has been so outlandish and stark that even the neocon leaning New York Times published a scathing article titled: “Egypt’s Lost Islands, Sisi’s Shame” by Adhaf Soueif.    This is a remarkable piece rarely seen in the pages of the NYT given its reputation (see LOOT for example).

Soraya Sepahpour-Ulrich
By Soraya Sepahpour-Ulrich

“You can’t make war in the Middle East without Egypt and you can’t make peace without Syria.”   -   HenryKissinger In Egyptian mythology, gods were considered heroes.  In more modern times, it is men who are the heroes.    Without a doubt, General Gamal Abdul Nasser has secured his legacy as a hero - a revolutionary who fought for Egypt and

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For 40 Years, Iran’s Been Preparing For The War The US Has Been Threatening

War with Iran has long been a possibility for the US, but only as a last resort. Previous administrations have recognized that this is not a war the US can win, but will Trump do the same?

Soraya Sepahpour-Ulrich
By Soraya Sepahpour-Ulrich
Iran's Revolutionary Guard

IRVINE, California --- (Insights) The Trump administration’s aggressive rhetoric and actions have alarmed the world. The protests in response to his visa ban that have targeted mostly Muslims from seven nations the United States has targeted in its wars of aggression have overshadowed and distracted from an even darker threat: a looming U.S. war

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