Search Results for the Tag "Iran"
With the death of Grand Ayatollah Hossein Ali Montazeri and government attacks of his memorial services, violent protest has returned to Iran. On onse side is the hardline religious government, on the other, the Green Movement, which gained notice for its protests of the 2009 Iranian election.
With the return of open defiance in Iran, there's specualation on whether the current Iranian regime will survive.
With the return of open defiance in Iran, there's specualation on whether the current Iranian regime will survive.
Iran is reportedly close to making a deal on its nuclear program.
The U.S. House of Representatives have agreed to allow Gitmo prisoners to be transferred to the states to stand trial.
The U.S. Senate is again looking at ending the 100:1 sentencing disparity between crack and power cocaine.
The Afghanistan election is heading to a runoff, which may quell some of the accusations of fraud and vote tampering.
The U.S. House of Representatives have agreed to allow Gitmo prisoners to be transferred to the states to stand trial.
The U.S. Senate is again looking at ending the 100:1 sentencing disparity between crack and power cocaine.
The Afghanistan election is heading to a runoff, which may quell some of the accusations of fraud and vote tampering.
Hot on the heels of news that a second uranium enrichment plant is being built in Iran, the US House and Senate are preparing bills to enact "tough" new sanctions against the country.
Proposed sanctions include cutting of Iran's gasoline supplies, isolating it financially, expanding restrictions on oil and gas pipelines and allowing Americans to divest from energy firms that do business with Iran.
Critics say imposing sanctions hasn't worked so far and just gives the Iranian government political points as it allows them to point to the US's attempts to control the country.
Proposed sanctions include cutting of Iran's gasoline supplies, isolating it financially, expanding restrictions on oil and gas pipelines and allowing Americans to divest from energy firms that do business with Iran.
Critics say imposing sanctions hasn't worked so far and just gives the Iranian government political points as it allows them to point to the US's attempts to control the country.
A meeting is set for October 1 between Iran and representatives from the United Kingdom, China, France, Russia and Germany. What's the topic? Well, everyone except Iran want to talk about that country's nuclear program, but Iran is saying that is not up for discussion, but other countries should feel free to ask questions.
Most likely this is an initial step where both sides try to press their points while forging diplomatic ties and contacts. The Western world still views an Iran with a nuclear arms program as unacceptable, but Iran insists that its program is for peaceful purposes. However its refusal to allow inspections by the International Atomic Energy Agency raises doubts to that claim.
Most likely this is an initial step where both sides try to press their points while forging diplomatic ties and contacts. The Western world still views an Iran with a nuclear arms program as unacceptable, but Iran insists that its program is for peaceful purposes. However its refusal to allow inspections by the International Atomic Energy Agency raises doubts to that claim.
As America gazes at its bellybutton, the rest of the world continues to live:
In Japan, the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) may topple the Liberal Democratic Party's (LDP) nearly 50 years of rule in the August 30th general election.
North and South Korea agree to hold talks about reuniting families, further signaling a thaw in the region.
Canada wrestles with whether to do its own version of cash for clunkers.
Iran resumes trials of those who opposed the past elections. Meanwhile, the current President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad faces a fight in parliament over his choices for cabinet positions.
Got any other bits of non-US political news? Add them in the comments.
In Japan, the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) may topple the Liberal Democratic Party's (LDP) nearly 50 years of rule in the August 30th general election.
North and South Korea agree to hold talks about reuniting families, further signaling a thaw in the region.
Canada wrestles with whether to do its own version of cash for clunkers.
Iran resumes trials of those who opposed the past elections. Meanwhile, the current President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad faces a fight in parliament over his choices for cabinet positions.
Got any other bits of non-US political news? Add them in the comments.
Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, a former President of Iran and Chairman of the Assembly of Experts, made a speech today at Friday prayers. He criticized the current regime and the way it handled the disputed election and the repression of protestors.
Demonstrators and police clashed before and after the speech.
Demonstrators and police clashed before and after the speech.
In the wake of protests over it's recent presidential elections, the Iranian government has reordered its list of enemies, shifting the United States role of "Great Satan" to Britain. Embassy staff have been expelled, on both sides and in Tehran, some local members of Britain's embassy are being put on trial for inciting riots. What's with all the recent animosity? It's speculated that Obama's less confrontation approach towards Iran has struck a positive note in the Middle East, forcing Tehran to ease up its animosity, at least publicly, toward America.
Considering that Britain and Iran have had issues with each other for centuries, and the close relationship between America and Britain, the "shift in Satan" almost seems natural.
Considering that Britain and Iran have had issues with each other for centuries, and the close relationship between America and Britain, the "shift in Satan" almost seems natural.
After months of debate, fanfare and tensions; candidate approval (and rejection) by the Guardian Council, former Prime Minister Mir-Hossein Mousavi faces off against the current President, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, as Iranians will finally cast their vote for President.
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The Pro-Western March 14 Alliance has won a majority of seats in the Lebanese general election, insuring that the Iranian and Syrian influenced Hezbollah won't be running the country. Obama's recent speech in Cairo is getting some credit for the victory, but its real effect is unknown.
Though it lost, Hezzbollah still retains power in the country and the majority coalition has to decide whether the Hezzbollah will have minority veto power, allowing them to bring legislation to a standstill.
Though it lost, Hezzbollah still retains power in the country and the majority coalition has to decide whether the Hezzbollah will have minority veto power, allowing them to bring legislation to a standstill.
Urban, middle class voters in Iran are making use of cellphones and the internet encourage others to vote against current President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and his policies. The government is starting to get bit rattled, especially since many urban voters boycotted the 2005 election, allowing Ahmadinejad's rural base to put him in office.
How rattled is the current government? They shut off access to Facebook on May 23, only to relent 3 days later after complaints from some candidates.
How rattled is the current government? They shut off access to Facebook on May 23, only to relent 3 days later after complaints from some candidates.
Lebanon will be holding parliamentary elections on June 7, and Hezbollah, called a terrorist organization by the U.S., but seen as a resistance movement among many Arabs and Muslims, is in a tight race to officially lead the country. U.S. Vice-President Joe Biden and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton have visited the country recently, to help the pro West coalition and blunt Iran and its ties to Hezbollah from increasing their influence in the region.
A look at Mahmound Ahamdinejad, President of Iraq in the context of the changed administration in America and the upcoming Iranian elections in June. Or just read Ahamdinejad's blog.
President Obama sent a video message to the Islamic Republican of Iran, delivered during Nowruz (meaning "New Day""), a traditional new year holiday celebrated by Iranians.
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The start of a trend for world leaders? Shoe hurled at Iranian president.
Iran: the enemy that almost isn't. "It is likely that simply by looking at Iran as a threat, we've made it one. Look again, and it might change."
Pretty screwed, according to Robert Baer, a former CIA officer and author of books on the War on Terror, unless we manage to make friends with Iran.
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Iraq: Violence is down – but not because of America's 'surge'. "If fewer US troops and Iraqis are being killed, it is only because the Shia community and Iran now dominate." [Via]