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.

Current Event #8: Challenging Iran, with Youtube Videos

Click here to read The New York Times article, from April 9th, 2010. Mohsen Sazegara acknowledges that many Iranians are apathetic in regards to nonviolent protest, especially considering Iran's history. But, Mr. Sazegara, an architect of the Revolutionary Guards, believes that many are disenchanted with the Islamic Republic and harbor a mystic background that could be focused into nonviolent protest. In an attempt to promote mysticism, Mr. Sazegara has been producing 10 minute YouTube videos that he sends into Iran nightly. In summary, Mr. Sazegara is trying to destroy the very system that he created. Thirty-two years ago, he was hired as a press aide for Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini while studying physics in the United States. From there, he took on a series of various jobs, including a position drafting the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps. It was finally this past decade that Mr. Sazegara began to oppose the government and its structure. He claims that "the problems are not accidental; they are essential. It doesn’t make any difference who are the people. It is the structure.” It is here, in his faux colonial town house in the United States, that Mr. Sazegara records and updates nightly videos opposing the government that he once supported. He developed this idea following the government's barring of his encouragement of post-election protests on the Voice of America show. According to Mr. Sazegara, his "strategy is nonviolence, so we should learn how to protest but not to be killed,” he said. “We should learn to oppose the regime, how to paralyze them, how to wear them out, but not to be killed, not to be arrested.” While Mr. Sazegara isn't trying to lead a protest movement, he is rather trying to amplify the feelings of many. Some, however, have grown frustrated with his actions as they believe he truly is trying to create protest and is giving the government fuel to portray the opposition as a foreign plot. As of now, Mr. Sazegara remains hopeful for the future. In reference to the Green Movement, he says that "when the balance switches depends on too many factors, and nobody can see an exact date." This article is important because it discusses the civil right of freedom of speech and censorship of the media. It also talks about the growing Green Movement, as well as the legitimacy of the government.

Thanks to The New York Times for the image!

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Current Event #7: Agencies Suspect Iran Is Planning Atomic Sites

Click here to read The New York Times article dated March 27th, 2010. Following the discovery of a secret nuclear enrichment site in Iran, both Western agencies and international inspectors believe that Iran may be preparing to continue to deny the demands of the UN Security Council. UN inspectors are currently investigating the possibility of two sites following alarming comments by Ali Akbar Salehi, head of Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization (IAEA). Since Obama's public announcement of the Iranian site at Qum last year, the United States has fought an uphill battle in trying to persuade China and Russia to go along with its sanctions. American officials currently share suspicion with the I.A.E.A. and are looking to satellite evidence to discover new Iranian sites. Several months ago, Iran claimed that it would attempt to build 10 new sites in the near future. This seems unlikely, however, given the time and complexity involved with building new plants. The most worrisome evidence includes the indicators that Iran is secretly producing enrichment equipment, such as centrifuges, for later use. The 2007 National Intelligence Estimate on Iran is currently being prepared for President Obama to evaluate the present situation. Tehran leaders insist that the plant at Qum, as well as others, are in use for peaceful purposes. Many claim this is unlikely. In 2003, Iran came to an agreement with the I.A.E.A. to turn over information on any new plants. In 2007, Iran began to disregard this agreement. This article is important because it deals with international relations between both Iran and the world, as well as the US, Russia, and China in making and enforcing sanctions.

Click here to see the picture of I.A.E.A. Director General from flickr!

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Iraq's elections: Give everyone a voice

Click here to read the Economist article, "Iraq's elections: Give everyone a voice". This article talks about how the election is close, but so far successful. Depending on the actions of the losing candidate, it could be a very successful election and transition of power. The article talks about "coalitions" forming of different ethnic and religious groups within the country to unite under political candidates. The article also talks about how a sovereign Iraq and a large stable democracy in the Middle East can be a good thing for the entire region. This will certainly effect Iran who right now is moving away from a liberal democracy. It would be to Iran's overall benefit to help Iraq, although they might oppose Iran's quest for nuclear weapons against the UN's wishes for fear of military intervention from Israel. This article is important because it talks about the process of moving towards a democracy and the effect democracies have on their neighboring countries. Grade this post.

Post #7 Iran tightens gasoline rations, cuts subsidies

Click here to read the BBC News article "Iran tightens petrol rations as economic sanctions loom," written on Wednesday, March 17th.
The Iranian government has announced that it is to begun reducing petrol rations by 25% starting March 21, the beginning of the Iranian New Year. Prior to the cutbacks, Iranian citizens were allotted 80 liters of gasoline per month, at the cost of ten cents per liter, and 40 cents for every liter over the 80 liter limit. With the initiation of the rations, that petrol cap now becomes 60 liters per month.
The new rations are believed to be a result of concern in regards to the possibility of new economic sanctions as a result of the controversy over Iran's nuclear weapons program. Iran consumes 65 million liters of petrol per day, and imports a third of that amount. A variety of energies have already ceased trading with Iran after facing pressure from the United States. The government of Iran has pledged to increase its local petrol production by 13 million liters per day, as a safeguard to any further sanctions.
General Mohammad Rouyanian, the head of Iran's Transportation and Fuel management committee, has stated that the increased rations will last for only three months, but may be increased if needed.
Fuel is Iran's only worry; the country still faces inflation, and a lack of revenue. Iran heavily subsidizes its energy and food services. This has caused problems for the government, who recently decided to remove $200 billion dollars worth of subsidies. President Ahmadinejad was believed to have wanted a significantly larger sum removed, but Iranian MPs believe that it could triple the country's inflation, which only recently decreased to 11.3%.
This relates to comparative government because it deals with public policy and legitimacy. By increasing rations and requiring citizens to pay more for everday activities, it may adversely affect the way they view their government, which is already beset from all sides by controversy and challenges from Mousavi's opposition party. Also, by altering the way the country is run, Iran could be seen as not being as formidable and protected by the West as it claims to be, which might affect future negations.

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Photo courtesy of Tehran Times

"EU Pressures Iran to End Jamming" #7

To read the BBC article, "EU Pressures Iran to End Jamming" click here. Since the widespread protests against the Iranian government took place in France, Iran has been intentionally blocking satellite broadcasts from international channels. According to the EU foreign ministers they have demanded that Iran stop interfering with the broadcasts immediately. Some believe that the EU will impose trade sanctions that would stop Nokia Siemens, a mobile network company, from trading in Iran. The US has supported the possibility of the UN placing very burdensome sanctions on Iran since the beginning of the year but these sanctions have been stopped by China and Russia. However, these EU sanctions would be completely separate from any sanctions the US is pushing for. Alexander Stubb, Finland's foreign minister, has said that a resolutions remains the goal but that as time runs out they may have to place unilateral sanctions on Iran. This relates to what we have been learning in comparative government because any sanctions placed on Iran would hurt their economy which, in turn would hurt their government's legitimacy in the eyes of not only the people of Iran, but also of the rest of the world.



*Thank you to the BBC for the pictures
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Post #7: Iran’s Opposition Seeks More Help in Cyberwar With Government

Click here to read The New York Times article, "Iran's Opposition Seeks More Help in Cyberwar with Government," from March 18th, 2010. In Iran, democracy advocates have been celebrating the United States's recent decision to remove sanctions on online services. While these sanctions against online services were initially enforced to restrict the development of nuclear technology, they ended up being used by Tehran to further suppress opposition. Now, Iranian internet users will be able to download new software to defeat the government's blocking of certain websites. Opposition leaders claim that access to the web, social networking sites, and satellite TV are important in bringing people together and keeping them informed. As the Iranian government has finally realized the threat of these tools, they have began efforts to block websites such as Twitter, Yahoo, and Google, as well as news channels like Voice of American TV and BBC Persian. The government has arrested many "cyberexperts" recently, accusing many of "waging war against God" and has set aside a $500 million budget for cyberwarfare. Iran is currently dependent on foreign corporations for broadcasting, and many companies have been hesitant to make deals due to Iran's violation of international regulations. While the lifting of these sanctions improve the situation of activists, many still believe that more change needs to come in the future. According to Mr. Khonini, a visitor at Stanford, "this is about democracy and the fact that when people have access to information, they can make wise choices. No one, even the current leaders of the opposition, can hijack the movement like the way the Islamists did in the 1979 revolution if people can have access to free information." This article is important because it has to do with the legitimacy, transparency, and freedoms granted by the Iranian government, as well as its international standing.

Click here for the image from herzogbr of flickr!

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Renewed diplomatic efforts over Iran's nuclear activities

Click here to read the Economist article "The week ahead". This article talks about how the United States is continuing to solve political conflicts in the Middle East. The two big problems right now are Iran and their assumed pursuit of the nuclear bomb and the Israel and Palestinian problem. With Russia and China, two members of the UN Security Council both economically involved with Iran, passing Economic sanctions will prove to be a challenge. Hillary Clinton is working on UN sanctions against Iran while Joe Biden and George Mitchell, the President's envoy, work on Israeli issues. The announcement that the Bushehr nuclear power plant will be working in a few months has kept the pressure on trying to get sanctions against Iran. This article is important because it shows the continued efforts of world powers to use nonviolent actions to solve international problems. Economic relations are very important and the success of Iranian negations will reflect public opinion on politicians in the United States and abroad. Grade this post. .

Week #6; Iran's Ace (or Deuce) - Its Oil Reserves

To read the full New York Times article, click here. The article Iran's Ace (or Deuce) - Its Oil Reserves is about Iran believing that they are not going to be easily influenced by sanctions in Washington because they believe that they will have future ties to China, Russia, and France through their energy resources. Iran further tried to prove this point by occupying a disputed oil field on the Iraqi border, this was to serve as a reminder that Iran is not happy with Iraq getting foreign oil investments and to show Iran's ability to stop traffic in the Strait of Hormuz. Iran is currently Beijing's second biggest oil supplier behind Saudi Arabia and a year ago China National Petroleum Organization signed a 4.7 billion dollar contract to finish developing one huge Iranian gas field and an understanding that they would eventually develop and oil field. However, Iran's recent ability to make nuclear weapons has caused the European idea for investing to cool off and even Russia has been more in favor of sanctions. It seems as if Iran is counting on the Chinese to back them when it comes to the US and the Security Council creating international sanctions that could really hurt Iran, but so far, China has shown reluctance to go against the US particularly when it comes to the Persian Golf. As for the strength of Iran's energy sector, they have very few refineries, import 40% of their gasoline, and have to keep oil prices above $90 a barrel to keep their budget balanced, not to mention that there is no longer a shortage of oil and most of the excess is in Saudi Arabia. This article relates to what we have been studying because the Iranian government is trying to prove their legitimacy through international contracts and their economy, but the fact that some countries seem to be doubting whether or not it will work could hurt their Iranian government's legitimacy.



**Thanks to SisPau of Flickr for the image
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