The BBC and other news outlets report that Russia is using Iranian air bases to launch air strikes against Syria. “Historians and American officials said that the Iranian decision to let Russia base its planes and support operations in Iran — even temporarily — was a historic one,” wrote the New York Times.
Middle East fellow Mohammad Ayatollahi Tabaar anticipated the alliance last year, noting in an article for Foreign Affairs that Iran's internal balance of power was shifting to the country's hardline conservatives who see Vladimir Putin as a reliable partner.
Click here for Tabaar's Nov. 2015 analysis and learn what’s behind the new level of cooperation between Iran and Russia.
Political science fellow Mark Jones explains why Houston is an unconventional choice for the Green Party's national convention this week. Houston Chronicle: http://bit.ly/2aWlnkH
A weakening El Niño, assisted by climate change, is driving scorching temperatures in Texas. Global climate change fellow Ronald L. Sass comments in the Texas Observer: http://bit.ly/2azXkYE.
Latino voters said health care is a critical issue to their vote, behind only the economy and immigration. Tony Payan, director of the Mexico Center, comments in CNBC: http://cnb.cx/2acj8dq.