See also Syria Wired: The Latest from Social Media and EA's Readers (20 April)
Our regular feature in which EA readers bring in the latest news and stories from the Syrian crisis....
Syria 
Reading between the lines is quite simple: the Ahmadinejad camp feels shunted out of the evolving nuclear deal, while it senses that the two sides are closer than before to an agreement.
So, ironically, the pro-Ahmadinejad forces are on the offensive for reasons similar to the ones which scuppered the late 2009 talks, which were promoted by the President but undermined by his rivals. I expect Ahmadinejad's men to keep up the noise and the fight.
See also Iran Snap Analysis: The New Battle Within Tehran Over the Nuclear Talks
Iran Feature: Challenging the Plans for the "National Internet"
The Latest from Iran (19 April): Supreme Leader Seeing "Positive" Nuclear Talks?
1745 GMT: Nuclear Watch. It's not every day that EA and Press TV ally in analysis....
Earlier today we posted an evaluation from an Iranian correspondent that last weekend's nuclear talks were "the combination of efforts of the 'Everyone but Ahmadinejad camp', including those close to the Supreme Leader: "The Ahmadinejad camp feels shunted out of the evolving nuclear deal, while it senses that the two sides are closer than before to an agreement."
Now Press TV posts:/p>
An analyst says the fatwa by Leader of Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei against nuclear weapons is a “political milestone” which should put an end to Western allegations against Iran.“The fatwa of the Leader of the Islamic Revolution can well serve as a beacon of light for Washington in order to find its way out of darkness and ignorance,” author and Middle East expert Ismail Salami wrote.
1954 GMT: Breaking news from Bahrain - activist Zainab AlKhawaja has been arrested, apparently while trying to visit her father in the hospital:
It's been confirmed, Zainab Alkhawaja @angryarabiya arrested, lawyer will attempt to go see her now #bahrain #f1 #fia #feb14
— Maryam Alkhawaja (@MARYAMALKHAWAJA) April 20, 2012
1908 GMT: This video is destined to be iconic. The UN monitors are set to visit the Idlib town of Kafer Takharim, and the the Syrian military pulled out today so as not to be seen by the observers. As the soldiers evacuate, this young man waves a pre-Baath party flag, the flag of the Syrian opposition, right in the face of Assad's tanks and soldiers.
A mass demonstration in Binnish in Idlib Province today
See also Syria Wired: The Latest from Social Media and EA's Readers (19 April)
Our regular feature in which EA readers bring in the latest news and stories from the Syrian crisis....
Syria 
When a freshman Representative from Louisiana, Jeff Landry, describes the role of the House Republicans as the conductor driving the train, not the cheerleading squad on the sidelines, are we meant to be enthusiastic or appalled? If a President were now to cede the legislative agenda and authority to Congress, how will the strength of his leadership be gauged? Is the American public prepared for such a sea change?
A brief summary of the state of the project:
See also Iran Analysis: Obama's Special Advisor Offers 3 Signals on Nuke Talks
The Latest from Iran (18 April): Trust Us, All is Well
2025 GMT: Ahmadinejad Watch. On a slow political day, both the pro-Ahmadinejad IRNA and Fars give top billing to the President's appearance at the commemoration of the 13th-century poet Saadi. Ahmadinejad told the audience that the poems "reflect the recommendations and instructions of divine prophets for a happy life".
1425 GMT: Oil Watch. Additional notes on a busy day on the oil front....
Minister of Oil Rustam Qassemi has warned that an agreement for a Chinese firm to develop a phase of the giant South Pars oil and gas field could be cancelled, giving Beijing one month to resume activity.
Protest on Wednesday night in Kherbet Ghazale in Daraa Province
See also Syria Wired: The Latest from Social Media and EA's Readers (18 April)
Our regular feature in which EA readers bring in the latest news and stories from the Syrian crisis....
Syria 
Some very interesting signals in comments by Gary Samore, President Obama's special advisor for arms control, in an interview with Radio Free Europe/Radio Libertyabout last weekend's discussions in Istanbul between Iran and the 5+1 Powers:
I think time works on our side, because at the end of June
and at the beginning of July, much bigger financial and oil sanctions will
kick in. At the end of June, the U.S. will impose sanctions against the
Central Bank of Iran; and at the very beginning of July, the EU oil
boycott of Iran will take force. So from our standpoint, time works in our
favor. To the extent that the Iranian concern about sanctions is driving
them to seek an agreement, the closer we get to the summer, the stronger
our position becomes.
