Iraq Video: Scott Lucas on Al Jazeera's "Inside Story"

I appeared on Al Jazeera's Inside Story on Tuesday to discuss the power politics in Iraq after the 7 March elections. The other participants are Saad al-Muttalibi, a political advisor to the Iraqi Council of Ministers, and Sabah al-Mukhtar, the head of the Arab Lawyers Association in the UK.

Iraq: What Do Latest Post-Election Power Plays Indicate? (Cole)

Obama and Health Care: Scott Lucas on BBC World Service

I spoke, alongside the Global Post's Michael Goldfarb, with BBC World Service's Newshour yesterday about the passage of the unprecedented health care bill by the US House of Representatives. I found myself in the position (some might say unusual position) of being more optimistic than both BBC correspondent Mark Mardell and Goldfarb, both about the event and about Obama's political future.

The item begins from the start of the programme. Julian Marshall's interview with Goldfarb and me begins just after the 6-minute mark.

EA on the Road

I am saying Thank You to the long-suffering, most patient Ms. EA with a night at the theatre. So we'll be on limited service until Sunday afternoon. Mike Dunn will be holding the fort, and as usual, our fine readers will be bringing in the latest information and ideas.

(The last time I saw a London play was on 12 June 2009, when I reassured Ms. EA that it would be a quiet night, as a certain election was almost certain to go to a second round.)

"Iran at a Crossroads": Scott Lucas Speaks in Washington

UPDATE 9 MARCH: I'm setting off in a few hours. Iran updates will be lighter than usual  until Saturday, but we will keep our eyes on events and try and keep you posted. And, of course, our readers --- thanks to all of you for advice for this trip --- can be relied upon to provide information and comment.

have been invited to speak next Wednesday  at "Iran at a Crossroads", a hearing organised by the National Iranian American Council  at the US Senate Office Building in Washington, DC. The event, sponsored by US Senators and including statements from US Congressman, is expected to draw an audience of legislators, government officials, and journalists, as well as the general public.

The event will be live-streamed from 9 a.m. local time(1400 GMT) at NIACInsight.

9:30 AM-9:45 AM

WELCOMING REMARKS

Congresswoman Anna Eshoo (CA-14)



9:45 AM-10:15 AM

SPECIAL ADDRESS
Congressman Keith Ellison (MN-5)

10:15 AM-11:30 AM

PANEL I:  A CENTURY OLD STRUGGLE FOR DEMOCRACY

Prof. Shireen Hunter

Visiting Fellow, Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service, Georgetown University

Prof. Scott Lucas

Professor, University of Birmingham, UK, Editor, Enduring America Blog

Prof. Ahmad Karimi-Hakkak

Director, Roshan Cultural Heritage Institute Center for Persian Studies, University of Maryland

Moderator

Neil MacFarquhar

New York Times

12:00 PM-12:15 PM

SPECIAL ADDRESS

Congressman Mike Honda (CA-15)

12:15 PM-1:30 PM

PANEL II:  THE US AND IRAN: BACK TO CONFRONTATION?

Prof. Juan Cole

Richard P. Mitchell Collegiate Professor of History, University of Michigan

Amb. Robert Hunter

Senior Advisor, RAND Corporation

Prof. Muhammad Sahimi

Professor, University of Southern California

Moderator

Dr. Trita Parsi

President, National Iranian American Council

1:30pm – 1:45 pm

CLOSING REMARKS
Dr. Trita Parsi

President, National Iranian American Council

EA on the Road

I'll be in the wilds of Derbyshire on top-secret academic business today, so updates will be limited until this afternoon. As usual, do keep sending in comments and ideas, and we'll be back to full speed later.