UN Considers More Sanctions Post #11

Click here to read the BBC News article "'Strong' new Iran sanctions UN resolution being tabled"
Secretary of State Hilary Clinton said that the five permanent members of the UN Security Council had reached agreed on a strong draft resolution, which would deal with cargo inspections and banking controls. The proposed sanctions come in the wake of Iran's announcement of its agreement to a plan involving Turkey and Brazil, in which Iran would send enriched uranium to Turkey in return for enriched fuel for research reactors. But the deal fails to confront the issue of enriching uranium, which the UN has banned, which is the major catalyst in creating this fourth round of sanctions against Iran.
Russia and China, who have remained cool towards previous sanctions, have said that they wish the sanctions to not harm innocent Iranian civilians or trade, but rather to bring Iran to the negotiating table. Proposals by Western countries were said to have been watered down by Russia and China. The two countries had previously been opposed to new sanctions against Iran, so their willingness to be involved in talks might have played a part in Iran's announcement about the Turkey/Brazil plan.
Turkey and Brazil, both current members on the Security Council, have refused to involve themselves in talks regarding new sanctions due to their plan. But the Turkish Prime Minister has stated that if Iran does not send its uranium within a month, it will be on its own.

Iran Spy Chief Says 3 Jailed Americans are Spies #11

To read the full New York Times article click here. Ten months ago, three Americans who claim to have been hiking in Iraq's peaceful, northern, mountainous Kurdish region were arrested for crossing the border in Iran on accident. Last week their mothers were allowed to visit them in prison in Tehran, the mothers were hoping to come home with their children but that part of the visit was not successful. The Iranian Intelligence Minister, Haidar Moslehi, said on Sunday that the three Americans' "status as spies is a clear and obvious case". However, he did say that a prisoner swap with the U.S. would be considered if the U.S. would respond with a gesture of human rights similar to the one Iran extended to the mothers of the three imprisoned Americans. Although Moslehi has said this, P.J. Crowley, the U.S. State Department spokesperson said on Thursday that the U.S. is "not contemplating any kind of a prisoner swap". This article relates to comparative government because Iran is at least in this one area, trying to reach an agreement with the U.S. which in a way, helps the legitimacy of their government because they're not throwing out insults and criticizing the U.S. like they have been. It also makes them seem stronger in their international relations because although the U.S. has not had a favorable response, other countries might view Iran's actions more favorably.

**Thanks to Nazanin Afshin-Jam of Flickr for the picture

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Not just any deal will do #11

Click here to read the Economist article, "No just any deal will do". This article is an overview of Iran and everything nuclear to do with the country and the international community. There is a new deal to give Turkey Iran's stockpile

Post # 11: America Moves the Goalposts

Click here to read The New York Times article dated May 20th, 2010. John Limbert, an American previously held hostage in Iran, describes American-Iranian relations. He claims that Americans view Iranians as "devious, mendacious, fanatical, violent and incomprehensible," and that Iranians view Americans as "belligerent, sanctimonious, Godless and immoral, materialistic, and calculating." Limbert has spent his life attempting to build bridges between Iran and America, as he believes that the current enemies might be able to agree if cordial relations were established. The current state of mistrust was recently reinforced by the Brazilian-Turkish deal and the reaction of the United States. Cohen, the author of the article, claims that the U.S. has declined in its ability to solve global issues. Following last October's Geneva Conference and the failure to remove LEU from Iran, the Obama administration has remained infuriated. Obama's response to the recent deal between Brazil and Turkey is to merely impose more sanctions. Currently Ahmet Davutoglu, the Turkish foreign minister, is angered by the U.S. goading for the deal. Right now, the author seems to view Obama as a sort of hypocrite: he called for shared responsibility, yet snubbed Turkey and Brazil upon action. This relates to comparative government because it has to do with foreign relations between countries in the international society.



Click here to view a picture of John Limbert thanks to US Mission Geneva.





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Headgear in Muslim lands #10

Click here to read this Economist article, "Headgear in Muslim lands". This article talks about burqas being worn throughout the Middle East and their social, political, and religious implications. In Iran, it is required to wear one and if a woman is thought to be dressed inappropriately, she will be taken to a police office to sign a statement saying she will dress more modestly. Throughout the world, burqas are becoming more and more a fashion statement and are not always worn just because it is required. Fashion and more westernized dress in Iran go against the strict conservative values of the Islamic regime. This article is important because it discusses the social cleavages within Iran and particularly among women, who attend college at high rates. Domestic issues like this may be important in future elections and politics that could lead to policy changes, both foreign and domestic. Grade this post.

Iran's Opposition Leader Criticizes Ruling Clerics Blog #9

To read the New York Times article click here. This week the opposition leader in Iran has said that the opposition movement will remain committed to a nonviolent path and has condemned the ruling clerics for abuses against anti-government detainees. Mir Hossein Mousavi has been quoted saying that the detained political activists are innocent. Iran granted the mothers of three Americans visas to visit their children in the Tehran prison where they are being held. Mousavi is pleased by this choice but wants the same rights to be extended to Iranian women and criticizes the government of being a "dictatorial 'cult' and a corrupt power structure." The opposition in Iran continues to claim that the elections in June were fraudulent and Mousavi should have actually won. Iran's government has shut down dozens of pro-reform newspapers and blocked hundreds of reformist websites. Mousavi says that these crackdowns just further provide proof that the government is afraid of what the Iranian people actually want. This article relates to Comparative Government because the government is denying civil rights and civil liberties and this brings their legitimacy into question.

**Thank you to Exotica Intoxica of Flickr for the picture

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Current Event #10: Taiwanese Businessman Pleads Guilty To Shipping Missile Parts

Click here to read the BBC News article "Businessman pleads guilty to banned US exports to Iran", written on May 14th.


Taiwanese businessman Yi-Lan Chen was arrested in Guam for attempting to ship thousands of missile components for both military and civilian use to Iran. Under a United States embargo, such exports are illegal. Mr. Chen had organized at least 30 such illegal shipments in the past three years according to the Department of Commerce.

Mr. Chen was caught in February attempting to take possession of 8,500 pounds of glass-to-metal seals and 120 connectors in order to ship them to Iran.

Mr. Chen told prosecutors the supplies were bound for Hong Kong and Taiwan. He faces up to 20 years in prison at his sentencing in July, and both Chen and the company he works for, Landstar Tech Company, both face a fine of up to 1 million dollars.

This article relates to the goings-on of Comparative Government because it deals with foreign policy between the United States and Iran. Iran continues to insist its nuclear program is for civilian purposes, but the US and other countries refute its claims, saying that Iran hopes to build a nuclear weapon.