Unconditional US support for the state of Israel has precluded a peace settlement and destabilised t
![The Obama administration has increased the aid to Israel through its reliance on various special appropriations, write Falk and Ganji [EPA]](https://www.aljazeera.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/201482013404442734_20.jpeg?resize=270%2C180&quality=80)

Unconditional US support for the state of Israel has precluded a peace settlement and destabilised t
![The Obama administration has increased the aid to Israel through its reliance on various special appropriations, write Falk and Ganji [EPA]](https://www.aljazeera.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/201482013404442734_20.jpeg?resize=270%2C180&quality=80)
Since 1948 Israel has drawn a long list of military aggression, human rights violations and war crim
![More than 2,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israel's latest offensive on Gaza [Getty Images]](https://www.aljazeera.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/2014819141245705734_20.jpeg?resize=270%2C180&quality=80)
Democratic forces can prevail if Rouhani’s administration continues pursuing a foreign policy of peace.
![Western powers have double standards when dealing with Iran, writes Ganji [Reuters]](https://www.aljazeera.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/2014216115212936580_20.jpeg?resize=270%2C180&quality=80)
Iran’s Revolutionary Guard emerged as the most powerful actor in economy and polity.
![Iran's IRGC is not afraid to flex its political and economic muscle [Reuters]](https://www.aljazeera.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/20131210111840346734_20.jpeg?resize=270%2C180&quality=80)
Furious with the P5+1 for signing a deal with Iran, Netanyahu once again threatens to take military action unilaterally.
![Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is dismayed by the recent deal with Iran [AP]](https://www.aljazeera.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/20131116154348423734_20.jpeg?resize=270%2C180&quality=80)
The flames of sectarian violence are fanned by governments to distract people from their democratic aspirations.
![Sunni-Shia violence is more prevalent in non-democratic societies [AFP]](https://www.aljazeera.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/20131119235831706734_20.jpeg?resize=270%2C180&quality=80)
Israel continues to threaten Iran, despite the new dawn in Iranian diplomacy spearheaded by President Rouhani.
!["Israel now poses a more serious existential threat to Iran than Iran can pose to Israel in the near term,” states a report from Centre for Strategic and International Studies [AP]](https://www.aljazeera.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/2013101911131845734_20.jpeg?resize=270%2C180&quality=80)
Rouhani’s victory was a decisive win for Rafsanjani in his power struggle with the Supreme Leader, but what’s next?
![Rouhani's victory brings Iranians great hope for a rapprochement with the US [AP]](https://www.aljazeera.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/2013926114222507734_20.jpeg?resize=270%2C180&quality=80)
By 2009, the relationship between the two men hit rock bottom, with Rafsanjani firmly moving into the reformist camp.

The two men may have a long history together, but they’ve gone from being staunch allies to fierce competitors.
