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.