The Rundown - January 7

News & views on RFE/RL's broadcast region

Iran
#
CNN interviews a former member of the Basij militia
# Timothy Garton Ash thinks the Iranian protests should lead to a change in the West
# Robin Wright on the Iranian opposition's manifesto
# The Iranian regime is "leaking" like never before
# Steve Coll and Lawrence Wright discuss Iran and al-Qaeda
# Hooman Majd theinks the Green Movement is one of civil rights, not necessarily democracy
# The Iranian regime is calling for more informants on protestors

Afghanistan/Pakistan
#
Gerald Posner reports that the ISI may have aided the CIA suicide attacker
# Kai Eide warns against a solely military operation in Afghanistan

Russia
#
Lilia Shevtsova wonders why the West has gone so easy on Russia's leaders

U.S. Politics/Foreign Policy
#
Jonathan Alter on why Obama should meet with Dick Cheney
# Al Kamen's "In the Loop"