Winds of Change.NET Regional Briefings run on Tuesdays & Wednesdays, and sometimes Fridays too. This Regional Briefing focuses on Iran, courtesy of Reza Torkzadeh.
TOP TOPIC
* The coming Revolution in Iran. Many believe Iran is next, find out why.
* Why there will be no peace and stability in the Middle East until the regime in Iran is confronted – "Iran, When? by Michael Ledeen
* The Islamic Republic pleads to the International Community for a "no regime change" policy, in exchange for a halt in uranium enrichment, however no progress at the G8 meeting this week.
Other Topics Today Include: Iran processing uranium; Kerry’s campaign connection to the Islamic Republic; Russia completes construction of a nuclear plant in Iran; EU appeases Islamic Republic; Iranian bloggers shut down, arrested; NIAC issues statement on death of Iranian-American Soilder in Iraq; Germany supports Iran’s entrance in the WTO; Armed resistance gains momentum; ActivistChat launches Iran BlogIRAN’S QUEST FOR THE BOMB
* The regime’s rhretoric has increased and is now declaring that it rejects any deals to cease uranium enrichment. Thanks to the many consessions given by the Europeans to the Islamic Republic and its continued failed policies of appeasement, the regime disregards world public opinion, international customs and treaties.
* It doen’t make sense that Russia continues to support Iran in developing its nuclear capabilities.
* Proving once again that the Islamic Republic will object to civilized pressures and world public opinion, while defying international treaties, customs and accords. The regime threatens to ban weapons inspectors if the issue is taken to the UN Security Council.
THE INTERNATIONAL STAGE
* It seems like the only ones who think the regimes human rights record is good, is the regime itself. The regime is "consolidating their powers, and they are stepping up their campaign against any freedom that people have."
* Germany has all but granted the Islamic Republic the keys to the house. In a surprisingly bold move, and unclear why, Germany has supported the regime’s entrance into the WTO. Such a statement will have no effect on Iran’s entrance into the WTO but is a gesture of appeasement and solidarity with the oppressive regime.
* Any avid observer of Middle East affairs will tell you, that you shouldn’t be surprised as to the meddling of Iran’s agents in neighboring countries. Iraqi intelligence officers are faced with bribes and misinformation coming from Tehran, further fueling the dangers against the esablishment of democracy in Iraq.
* Israel argues that its greatest threat in the region comes from Iran and that it holds the right to strike possible nuclear sites if Iran does not stop its weapons program.
IRANIAN VOICES
* Kenneth Timmerman points to possible links between Kerry’s campaign and illegal contributions from Iranians tied to the regime
* SMCCDI reports clashes in Iran and an increase in armed resistance grown out of a frustrated citizenry held under the grips of the oppressive regime
* Our friends at ActivistChat launched a great blog with the latest news on Iran. They have also issued an Urgent Action to stop the execution of a 33-yr old woman who killed her husband for allegedly trying to rape her 15-yr old daughter from a previous marriage.
* From the blogosphere, LGF Watch reports the death sentence by stoning of a 13-yr old girl for being pregnant.
* Iranians fighting for freedom and democracy beyond the system of the Islamic Republic have taken advantage of today’s technology. Internet use has spread throughout Iran and is a main method of communication between those inside Iran and the outside world. Apparently, the regime has realized this and has now cracked down on internet users and bloggers.
* NIAC (National Iranian American Council) pays tribute to the first Iranian-American US Solider killed in Iraq. Army Specialist Omead Razani, a medic, was killed on August 27th 2004.
SOCIO-ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENTS
* As the civilized world continues to deal with the threat posed by the regime, there are those who still choose to prolong its existence by cutting oil deals.
* Iran’s unemployment crisis is reaching critical levels. Jahangir Amuzegar discusses in a very detailed report about its effects on society. Lengthy but worth the read…
* Pistachios remain one of Iran’s great exports. It is reported that half way through Iran’s year (beginning March 20) $250M in pistachios has been exported.
ETCETERA
* Great video you should not miss. Nicholas D. Kristof from the NY Times travelled to Iran and put together is amazing video.
good tool to keep people updated. thanks
good tool to keep people updated. thanks
Armed Liberal, we love you, but we’re LGF Watch Watch 🙂
FYI – The Mad Mullahs of Iran are up to it again. See my post to Dr. Zin re story of the Mullahs to stone 13 year-old girl. See recent posts below.
Ron Wright, Moderator
HSPIG Forums Site
http://www.hspig.org
*****
Dr. Zin
Followed the links from Roger Simon’s site and finally got to your email address. Check our forums site out. We have over 1800 articles, essays, and other info on the WOT.
My thought is to spam Oprah’s email boxes so she does a story on this. This may be a way to get around the MSM and get this message to the Armerican people.
[…]
*****
Date: Tue Oct 19, 2004 02:50:52 PM PDT
Subject: UPDATE – The Real Debate! 13 Year-old to be Stoned!
FYI – We might have a self-interest in this as the Mad Mullahs of Iran will go nuclear soon if not stopped shortly. Check out my novel suggestion of how to go around the MSM with this story in the post above this piece.
[…]
*****
Blog Iran
Link Here
Moderator’s Note:
Political commentary on Mad Mullahs of Iran about to stone 13 year-old girl. Source tells me the Mullahs have modernized stoning. Women who are to be stoned are buried up to their waste and a truck lloaded with bolders is back up and then dumped on them! How humane!
I’m not holding my breath that the MSM will cover this anytime soon.
*****
Stop Them!
Are the Presidential candidates blind to what is going on? Instead of diluting the debate in America with irrelevant subjects such as gay daughters and billionaire wives, would it be too much to ask for our “leaders” to have a meaningful discussion of the real war, the stakes, the Mullahs in Iran, and how America is going to truly defend freedom? “Freedom”-infused rhetoric absent of a sound policy to back it up hardly solves the problems we face!
via Iran va Jahan
by Koroosh Afshar –
[…]
Link Here
(Post as reply to this post)
Great discussion forum and compliation of montly developments. Please increase the frequency of these briefings to allow people to see what Iran is really up to.
Glad to see blogs are digging up the true identity of the islamic republic.
Another item for the international community to keep a watch on is the continuing persecution of the Bahá’ís of Iran. The largest religious minority in the country (something like 300,000, impossible to say for sure), there is an official movement to drive the religion out of existence, including eradication of its historical sites (houses, shrines, cemetaries). I covered the most recent public act of persecution back in August in Destruction of Bahá’í Holy Sites. More detail can be found in Bahá’ís Decry Cultural Cleansing from the Bahá’í World News Service. Sadly I do not know of any English-language third party (“objective”) coverage to link to.
Coincidentally, today is the anniversary of the birth of The Báb (“Gate” in Arabic), who was born in Shiraz, Persia in 1819 and established an independent religion that foretold (or spawned, depending on your point of view) the Bahá’í Faith. He was executed by the Persian government in 1850, just six years after founding his peaceful religion. Some 20,000 of His followers were also executed at this time.
Also, “Iran endorses Bush”:http://www.indystar.com/articles/0/187838-8290-010.html. So Bush has wrapped up the theological Islam vote. That’s gotta be worth something.
JC:
Also from Rowhani:
bq. “It makes no difference for us which of the two parties wins the elections,” Iran’s top national security official Hassan Rowhani said in an interview on state television.