In Iran, It’s Fun To Be A Rebel
If one asks the majority of Iranian youths why they want democracy, their immediate answers are surprisingly not freedom of speech, free elections or even a better economy. “Fun” is what most of them desire the most. Having fun without being told their behavior is un-Islamic or an attempt to topple the regime. Since the […]
Stop talking war, start talking…
We’re slowly reaching a critical point in the nuclear impasse with Iran. If you listen to Iran hawks on the right, Iran is hell bent on getting a nuclear weapon. They just know that’s what Iran wants, despite, as Roger Cohen suggests, no evidence or logical basis supporting their conclusion. Unfortunately, there’s been little to […]
The Bastions of the Paramilitary
Hossein Sajedi, Tehran’s police chief, said yesterday that despite the fact that “some media” (read: Mousavi and Karroubi) have called for rallies on June 12, Iranian security forces will confront any “illegal” demonstrations. “Police will confront any illegal gatherings … police are vigilant and in charge of public order and security,” he said. My question […]
Rafsanjani: National Healer?
As one of the main pillars of power in the Islamic establishment, Ayatollah Hashemi Rafsanjani played a significant role in what became the Iranian Islamic Revolution in 1979. Depending on one’s political affiliation, Rafsanjani to this day is still either highly respected or highly feared in the internal political circles of Iran. Rafsanjani 75, a […]
“My Upbringing Taught Me to Have My Own Opinion.”
Narges Kalhor, an outspoken and eloquent Iranian film maker who also happens to be the daughter of a top adviser to Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, made headlines last October by attending a human-rights film festival in Germany. Following Iran’s controversial presidential election, many Iranian artists and film makers expressed support for the opposition “Green Movement,” and Kalhor […]
Bearing Witness: 22 Bahman
NIAC is liveblogging the events of Feb. 11 in Iran, which marks the latest day of planned opposition protests as well as the anniversary of the founding of the Islamic Republic. We encourage readers to share their own news and insights in the comments section below. 2:36 pm: More from the Senate presser. John McCain, […]
Obama’s Statement on Iran
From President Obama’s press statement today: Before I leave, let me also briefly address the events that have taken place over the last few days in the Islamic Republic of Iran. The United States joins with the international community in strongly condemning the violent and unjust suppression of innocent Iranian citizens, which has apparently resulted […]
Trita Parsi on CNN: Why the US should care
Trita went on CNN yesterday to discuss why Americans should care about the roiling demonstrations in Iran. He was also asked about the IRGC’s role in an increasingly militarized Iran, and what that might mean for the days and weeks to come. [vodpod id=Groupvideo.4301404&w=425&h=350&fv=] more about “Trita Parsi on CNN: Why the US should…“, posted […]
The Basiji Road
“Now that I look back on it, I feel those men deserve pity,” says Ebrahim Mehtari. He is responding to an Al Jazeera English interview question, asking “If you could face your torturers again, what would you say to them?” “It’s a difficult question, but I feel they are more tortured than me…[They] need help. […]
U.N. General Assembly Censures Iran
From Bloomberg.com: The Iranian government’s treatment of protesters following the re-election of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, including torture and arbitrary imprisonment, was censured today by the United Nations General Assembly. The General Assembly, consisting of all 192 member governments of the world body, voted 74 to 48 to adopt a resolution sponsored by the U.S. and […]
“A Death in Tehran”
Frontline’s “A Death in Tehran” has long been billed as a documentary re-visiting the June 20, 2009 murder of Neda Agha Soltan. However, the segment focuses more on those who are still alive, and who carry the emotional scars of those who have both lost a loved one and had their government turned against them. […]
PBS: A Death in Tehran
[vodpod id=Groupvideo.3938522&w=425&h=350&fv=pap_localbrandid%3D2%26pap_buttoncolor%3Dff0000%26pap_buttonroll%3Dfa04da%26pap_segmentlisten%3Dsegchange%26pap_url%3Dhttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.pbs.org%2Fwgbh%2Fpages%2Ffrontline%2Ftehranbureau%2Fdeathintehran%2F%26pap_hash%3Dfrol02s33d4q477%26pap_ffw%3D514%26pap_ffh%3D320] Check your local listings. At the height of the protests following Iran’s controversial presidential election this summer, a young woman named Neda Agha Soltan was shot and killed on the streets of Tehran. Her death — filmed on a cameraphone, then uploaded to the web — quickly became an international outrage, and Agha […]