In order to understand Iran, we need some background. Dating to before World War II, Iran has attempted to balance the influences upon it from its neighbors, both Russia and the West. In 1941, Britain and the USSR invaded Iran to use Iranian railroad capacity. During World War II, the Shah (king) was obliged to abdicate in favor of his son, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi. At that time a relatively long-lived parliament had been governing Iran. However, its prime minister was assassinated in 1951 and was replaced by Dr. Mohammad Mosaddegh whose selection was ratified by Shah Reza Pahlavi. Enormously popular, Mosaddegh nationalized Iran’s petroleum industry, leading to President Eisenhower’s authorization of Operation Ajax in 1953, the first successful open US sponsored overthrow of an elected, civilian government, Cold War Democracy in action!

MIRAN SHAH, Pakistan - A month of fierce fighting near the Afghan border has killed about 250 militants and 60 Pakistani troops, the army said Friday, hours after the deaths of six soldiers in a suicide attack and roadside bombing.

For the second time in the past year and a half, there are new owners at My Wine Cellar in Ahwatukee.

For the second time in the past year and a half, there are new owners at My Wine Cellar in Ahwatukee.

On Sunday, My Wine Cellar in Ahwatukee is inviting the community to enjoy jazz, boutique wines and good weather.

ROSEMONT, Ill. — Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan on Saturday downplayed being questioned at a U.S. airport, saying it was part of a necessary but unfortunate procedure. Khan, one of the Indian film industry's biggest stars, is in the U.S. to promote his new film, "My Name is Khan," which is about racial profiling.

Krupa Shah was shopping Sunday night when a friend called to ask her if President Barack Obama was really coming to her old high school.

When elementary school students voluntarily give up their lunch and recess period, you can bet it's for something important.

LOS ANGELES — A spinoff from Nickelodeon's "Avatar: The Last Airbender" is in the works.

KANDAGAL, Afghanistan - U.S. Marines and Afghan troops launched an offensive Saturday to take a remote mountain valley from insurgents tied to the deadliest blow on American forces since the Taliban regime was ousted nearly four years ago.

First it was manufacturing jobs that moved overseas. Then it was call centers and other services. Then it was information technology and software jobs. And next it could be highly skilled engineering positions.

WANA, Pakistan - Top al-Qaida terrorists may have escaped a siege by thousands of Pakistani soldiers through several secret tunnels leading from mud fortresses to a dry mountain stream near the border with Afghanistan, a security chief said Monday.

TRENTON, N.J. - Pharmaceutical giant Merck & Co. is halting worldwide sales of its blockbuster arthritis drug Vioxx, once viewed as possibly being able to prevent some cancers, because new data from a clinical trial found an increased risk of heart attack and stroke.

Valerie Kaff was dominant and led the Mountain View softball team to a 3-1 victory over Desert Mountain in a pitchers' duel.

ISLAMABAD - Authorities in a Pakistani border province plan to arm villagers with 30,000 rifles and set up an elite police unit to protect a region increasingly besieged by Taliban and al-Qaida militants, an official said Sunday.

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan - One of al-Qaida's top five leaders, said to be responsible for planning overseas strikes, was killed by Pakistani security forces in a rocket attack near the Afghan border with U.S. help, American and Pakistani officials said Saturday.

Thought the “shop local” movement was over? Think again.

As Ahwatukee Foothills restaurant owners have come to learn, social media is the new frontier for marketing. If used correctly, popular sites such as Facebook and Twitter can be interactive and innovative tools for attracting customers.