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.

Current Event #10: Kurds Stage Strike in Iran to Protest Executions of Activists

Click here to read The New York Times article from May 13th, 2010 by Nazila Fathi. The largest strike in Kurdish areas since 2005 recently took place as Iranian Kurds closed shops in Eastern Iran to protest the executions of Kurdish activists. The government claimed that these activists were charged with deadly bomb attacks. Iran has long feared the possibility of the creation of a Kurdish nation, composed of Sunni individuals from Iran, Iraq, and Turkey. With a rise in protests following the fradulent election, sensitivity regarding the Kurds and other ethnic groups has grown. According to an anonymous source in Sanandaj, “The city is deserted. People have stayed home and the entire bazaar is closed.” Protests have also taken place in Stockholm and Paris where oppositionists to the executions claim that authorities should have been focusing on other cases with more solid evidence. As of now, the authorities are not planning on returning the bodies of those who were recently executed. This article is important because it deals with the ethnic and religious cleavages in Iran, as well as how the Iranians view their government.

Thanks to rawa raza for the image!

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Current Event #9: Iran Agrees To Brazil Mediation On Nuclear Fuel 'On Principle'

Click here to read the BBC News article Iran 'accepts Brazil mediation on nuclear fuel deal' written on May 5th.


Earlier this year, a deal proposed by the UN Security Council and Germany regarding Iran's nuclear fuel fell through after Iran refused to accept the terms. Under the deal, Iran was to send uranium to Russia and France, where it would be converted into isotopes to aid in cancer research in return for medical supplies, but Iran demanded a simultaneous switch of uranium and supplies in Iranian territory.

It appears though that a deal may be back in action, as the foreign minister of Brazil is reported to have said that Brazil is interested in in playing a role in settling the nuclear fuel dispute, though it is unknown if any formal proposals have been made. Fars, an Iranian news agency, reported that President Ahmadinejad agreed to Brazilian mediation "in principle".

President Ahmadinejad is currently in the US attending a conference on the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. He told ABC news that Iran would continue developing its nuclear program in spite of the possibility of military action by Israel. He also accused states that have already acquired nuclear arms of threatening countries wanting to develop peacefully nuclear technology, which prompted delegates at the conference to leave.

This article is important because it involves Iran's foreign policy. Iran has continued to ignore the threat of increased sanctions from the US, but if a deal between Iran and Brazil is made, Iran's legitimacy may be increased in the eyes of the world.

Intimidation in Iran Keeps Protestors From Rally Current Even #8

To read the full New York Times Article "Intimidation in Iran Keeps Protesters From Rally" click here. On Saturday, May 1st a planned protest that would join workers and reformists in an anti government protest failed to happen because of extensive police presence and widespread intimidation. Some are saying however, that the protest did not fail solely because of the intimidation and police presence, but also because of the possibility that the reformists have not been able to win over the workers and teachers. The intersections that had been filled with protesters this previous summer were filled with police officers in riot gear and helicopters hovered over Azadi Square and Azadi Street, which is the location of the Ministry of Workers. Protesters might have also been scared off by the government's recent execution of two political dissidents. Workers and teachers often demonstrate separate from the reformists and the workers still plan to protest on Saturday while teachers will protest on Teacher's Day on Sunday. Authorities have said that they will put down any protests and even the Supreme Leader has cautioned workers not to become "political leverage for the enemy". This article relates to Comparative Government because the crackdowns on protests by the government shows a lack of civil rights and civil liberties and in turn, brings the legitimacy of the government into question.
**Thank you to the New York times for the picture

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Current Event #9: Head of Atomic Agency Asserts Right to Scrutinize Iran

Click here to read The New York Times article, "Head of Atomic Agency Asserts Right to Scrutinize Iran," dated May 6th, 2010. This past Thursday, Yukiya Amano, the Japanese diplomat in charge of the International Atomic Energy Agency, rejected Iran's assertion that international inspectors should not be able to question Iran reguarding its nuclear research. Compared to his predecessor, Mohamed ElBaradei, Mr. Amano has taken a firmer stance when it comes to Iran and its nuclear program. According to Mr. Amano, "if we don’t have a good understanding [of Iran's nuclear developments], we cannot say if all the activities, or all the activities and material, are for peaceful purposes. Credible confidence is needed.” Recently President Ahmadinejad has ramped up his criticism against the I.A.E.A., claiming that Iran's "friendly relations with the agency are over.” Amano has retaliated with the argument that it is the job of the I.A.E.A. to scrutinize design work and military gear that could suggest the development of nuclear weapons. Israel has been a recent target for Mr. Amano, who hopes to convince them to join the nonproliferation treaty. This issue will be heavily discussed at the nonproliferation conference. Last year, the I.A.E.A. passed a resolution urging Israel, as well as India and Pakistan, to give up all of its nuclear facilities to the agency. Israel has refused to accept the treaty. Many argue that this treaty was discriminatory against Israel because the resolution did not mention either India or Pakistan. This post relates to comparative government because it deals with international relations and supernational organizations.

Click here to view a picture of Mr. Amano by IAEA Imagebank of flickr!!!

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Iran's UN diplomacy: A president trots the globe

Click here to read this Economist article, "Iran's UN diplomacy: A president trots the globe". This article talks about how the Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad recently (May 3) spoke at the UN conference for the Non Nuclear Poliferation treaty. He said western countries shouldn't keep their weapons while not allowing other countries to get them. He has been talking to non permanent members of the UN Security Council trying to convince them to oppose sanctions against Iran and offering oil deals to various countries. The picture is of when Ahmadinejad visitted Zimbabwe to talk with their president Robert Mugabe. This article is important because it talks about International relationships and supernational organizations like the UN. Western foreign policy is also discussed. Economic sanctions and Iran not wanting their economy to get any worse are all big factors. Grade this post.