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.

Click here to read the Economist article "Sanctions on Iran: And the price of nuclear power?". This article discusses how Iran continues to defy the international community by further enriching uranium. The article talks about how it is becoming harder and harder for countries to say Iran simply wants to make fuel for nuclear power. That combined with Iran's suffering economy and mismanaged oil investing and development may cause Iran to have to start importing oil. Other countries in the region might replace Iran's oil production and make sanctions less painful for countries like China who get oil from Iran. Russia recently didn't sent a shipment of advanced anti-aircraft missiles to Iran, who it sells weapons to. The United States has been leading countries from not trading with or financing things in Iran, which is both hurting Iran and starting to transition them out of global trade. With Iran already falling out of the global economy, economic sanctions will be less painful for the international community and will also hurt an already struggling Iran. This will also affect Iran's domestic politics, causing more resentment towards the government and their president Ahmadinejad. In 2005 the United States Treasury Department banned a bank that was helping with North Korea, therefore causing foreign banks to stop dealing with North Korea. The same thing has been applied to Iran, making over 80 foreign banks stop working with Iran, causing all sorts of problems for Iran. This is important because it shows how much damage economic sanctions can do. Economic problems can affect government legitimacy, public policy, international trade, and global security. Public opinion in Iran will most likely change if their economy worsens. Money seems to be the determining factor in Iran's nuclear ambitions. Grade this post.

Iraq, Iran and the politics of oil

Click here to read the Economist article "Iraq, Iran and the politics of oil". This article discusses how Iraq is intending on upping their production four and a half fold over the next seven years. Iraq, a member of OPEC, has had their quota for oil production kept at par with Iran for a long time, but now they are asking to have their quota even higher than Saudi Arabia (the highest quota). This would be bad news for Iran, who has been kept afloat by crude oil proceeds and has avoided Chinese economic sanctions because of their deal on oil. If Iraq could replace their oil production, then Iran would be left venerable to tough sanctions and finally a UN Security Council maneuver to deter Iran from further enriching Uranium. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton recently was in the Middle East trying to get Gulf oil producing countries to reassure that they could make up for any drop in Iranian oil production. All the investment and politics are showing that Iraq would be able to replace Iran if there were sanctions prohibiting them to sell to the UN Security Council members (particularly China, who has been stopping any economic sanctions on Iran). This is important because it shows how important oil is in the global economy and international relations. This article also discusses domestic policy of Iraq, who's oil minister is seeking an easy reelection by promising more oil revenue. And more than anything, this article shows, it really is always about the money. China knows that even if Iran gets the bomb and one or two went missing, they would most likely be used against Israel or the United States, so they are more concerned about keeping the oil flowing. Grade this post.