Time for tougher sanctions

Click here to read the Economist article, "Time for tougher sanctions". This article explorers the political options for trying to deter Iran from continuing its pursuit of nuclear materials. There is a nuclear proliferation treaty coming up for review this year and if Iran can easily deny the international community, the treaty might not be looked upon as having any value. The article dictates that there are two options for dealing with Iran, military action and economic sanctions. Recently the Obama administration tried to reach out to the country to let France and Russia produce nuclear material for electricity generating use, but it was not at all successful. No country wishes for military action, especially considering that the results would be so uncertain and it could simply make Iran more determined to continue perusing nuclear materials as well as turnings its citizens against the rest of the world. Economic sanctions are tricky because you want to hurt the government that is perusing nuclear materials, not the citizens, many of whom do not like their government. China has been upping investment in Iranian oil ever since Western nations started pulling out because of the actions of the Iranian government, but China does not seem to mind. The articles says that inaction is the worst course of action though and that something needs to be done. This article is important because it involves public policy, international treaties and policy, and discusses public opinion of Iran's citizens towards their government. If a country violates international agreements and nothing is done about it, those agreements are certainly seen as potentially illegitimate and a joke. Varying levels of dedication to stopping Iran from the international community has certainly delayed the progress as well. Economic sanctions will have an effect on the citizens of Iran and can possibly polarize them against either their government or the international community, empowering their leaders. How to deal with Iran and other "rogue nations" was also a important point in the recent American elections.
Grade this post.

Iran's Opposition Extends Olive Branch, Unrequited

To read the full article "Iran's Opposition Extends Olive Branch, Unrequited", click here. In a New York Times article published on January 28, 2010, we are informed that an Iranian opposition leader has tried to help end the national crisis by "extending the olive branch" to Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. So far, Ayatollah Khamenei has not shown the same willingness to compromise in order to find an end to the nation's crisis. Recently the government made even more clear just how seriously they would be cracking down on resistance, two prisoners were hung for defying God and belonging to armed organizations. These executions are seen as politically motivated and are being condemned inside and outside of Iran. The main reform tactic being used by the Iranian government seems to be reaffirming allegiance to the leader, or in other words, re-establishing the legitimacy of the government. It is still not entirely clear if this strategy is working, but this article relates to what we have been learning about in class because it not only discusses the loss of legitimacy but also the potential violation of Civil Rights for the two executed men.

*Thank you to jojournals of Flickr for the picture

"Grade This Post"

Current Event #2: Iran Executes Two Protestors

Click here to read the BBC News Article "Iran 'executes two over post-election unrest", published on January 28th. The article discuss how two men involved in the Ashura day demonstrations in Iran were convicted of being Moharebeh, or enemies of god, and executed. So far, no independent news agencies have confirmed the executions, as all of the information has come from the Iranian Student News Agency. ISNA reports that Mohammad Reza Ali-Zamani and Arash Rahmanipour were the two men executed, and also reports that nine other individuals were given death sentences for their part in the Ashura demonstrations, to be carried out as soon as appeals are finished. Ali-Zamani was accused of working with the Kingdom Assembly of Iran, a banned polital group who wants to reinstate the former Iranian Ruling Family as the leaders of Iran. The KAI denied that Ali-Zamani had any role in the election demonstrations, and only passed on news to radio stations. Human rights activists also believe that, according to Ali-Zamani's indictment, he was arrested before he engaged in any actions relating to the elections. The other man, Arash Rahmipour, was also accused of working with the KAI, but according to Rahmipour's lawyer, Nasrin Sotoudeh, he was arrested before the elections had even taken place, adding that he only confessed "because of threats to his family".
This article is significant because it discusses the Iranian Government's legitimacy, as wll as the rights they give their citizens. If the two men were arrested before the had engaged in any illicit activity, then the government of Iran is committing a human rights abuse. Iranian protesters are often killed during their demonstrations, which compared to our First Ammendment, is a violation of basic human rights as well.

Image taken from BBC News.

Grade This Post

Current Event #2: Main Opposition Leaders in Iran Call for Rally

Click here to read The New York Times article, "Main Opposition Leaders in Iran Call for Rally" from January 30, 2010. This article discusses a demonstration, called by Iran's two main opposition leaders, Mir Hussein Moussavi and Medhi Karroubi set to take place during the upcoming February 11th rally, marking the anniversary of Iran's 1979 Revolution. Recently, Iran put 16 protesters on trial from the December 27th demonstration, 5 of which were accused of Moharebeh, or going against God. As the government continues to crack down on anti-governmental protests in response to the disputed June 12th, 2009 election, the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps has made it clear that they will not tolerate an oppositionist appearance during the upcoming rally. This article is significant because it involves the Iranian citizens challenging the legitimacy of the government due to its recent election via participation in rallies. It also demonstrates the government taking action to contain protest and assert its dominance and power over the people.

Click here to see my accompanying image thanks to ok2go of flickr!

"Grade this post"

Watchdog Group: Iran Unrest 'Full-Blown Rights Crisis'

Here is a Fox News article titled "Watchdog Group: Iran Unrest 'Full-Blown Rights Crisis'", which talks about human rights abuse in Iran relating to their recent elections. During the Iranian elections this past June, there were lots of protests and political opposition shown. Many protesters were killed and thousands were detained. In a recent human rights analysis of the region, Iran's abuse was highlighted. The detaining of peaceful protesters during the election has been called "the worst crackdown" in decades in Iran. The article goes on to talk about human rights abuse in Iraq, the UAE, and Bahrain. This article is significant because it shows that there were civil liberties and rights violations during the election. It also shows that many citizens do not see Iran's government as legitimate or that they are unhappy with their political freedoms. Because of the killing of peaceful protesters, the past election was not a peaceful transfer of power (even though the incumbent was reelected). Certainly the stability of the Iranian government is now more questionable because of what happened during the elections. Grade this post.

Current Event #1

This article on BBC News discusses how Iran's first nuclear power plant, located on the country's southwestern coast, in Bushehr, will begin operating this year. Building initially began in 1974, but was abandoned five years later in the midst of the Islamic Revolution. In 1990, Russia took over building, but a large number of delays have halted completion until now. The news of completion comes as something of a surprise, as only two months earlier, the Russian energy minister was quoted as saying that a 2010 completion date was impossible. The Iranian new year begins on March 21, and the power plant is expected to be opened within the first half of the year. The article is significant because it showcases Iran's increasing importance as a soon to be nuclear power, which raises questions about how other countries will react to this news, as Iranian nuclear proliferation is a highly debated issue.

Credit to Presstv.ir for the photo of the power plant

Current Event #1 for EmilyW Supporters of Iran's Government Stage Big Rallies

The article "Supporters of Iran's Government Stage Big Rallies discusses one of the most violent protests since June's presidential election, hundreds of people have been arrested and at least eight are dead compared to the estimate of 500 arrests after Sunday's protest. The rally was put on by the Iranian government to show forceful support against opposition. This article demonstrates a lack of Civil Liberties and Civil Rights in Iran because the government is telling people with side to support and punishing those who don't by arresting them. To read the BBC News article titled "Supporters of Iran's Government Stage Big Rallies" click here.

*Thankyou to bambinoimages II of Flickr for the picture

"Grade This Post"

Current Event #1: The Iranian Exile's Eye

Click Here to view The New York Times article titled "The Iranian Exile's Eye," which discusses the experiences of an Iranian journalist. Following last June's election, the Iranian government began to increasingly crack down on political opposition, including protests, demonstrations, and reporting. Luckily, Nazila Fathi was able to escape from her life-threatening situation, but found herself conflicted and questioned her ability to report on Iranian events in the United States. While her physical contact with the Iran was over, she soon found herself immersed in a global, online system of bloggers, protesters, and reporters. New technology, such as the "Bluetooth," has allowed those in Iran to transmit images to others. While the government recently created a new "cyber army" to focus on the web, it is unlikely that they will be able to contain the information spread by thousands daily. This article is significant because it demonstrates the changing role of the media in Iran and the ways journalists are circumventing restrictions placed on the reporting of important news.

**Thanks to jasmine<3 of flickr for the image.

"Grade This Post"