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The influence of successful protests in Tunisia and Egypt have spread outside of the Arab world in the Middle East. Iran saw thousands take to the streets in protest against its government, with protesters chanting, "death to the dictator." These are the largest demonstrations since 2009, which resulted in the government crushing the opposition. Can the government shut down the latest protests?

Trita Parsi, founder and president of the National Iranian American Council and author of Treacherous Alliance: The Secret Dealings of Iran, Israel, and the United States, talks about the election in Iran, the ongoing dispute over the results, and what it means for U.S./Iran relations. Some ...

The delicate strategic dance between the Obama administration and Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad continues: The U.S. has offered to attend direct talks with Iran aimed at resolving an ongoing dispute over Iran's nuclear program. But why now? The answer may be more complex than you think. The Takeaway talks to Gary Sick, a senior research scholar at Columbia University. Also joining the conversation is Trita Parsi, author of Treacherous Alliance: The Secret Dealings of Iran, Israel and the United States and President of the National Iranian American Council and President of the National Iranian American Council.


Here is CNN's report on opening lines of communications between the two countries: