Today, Iran's Drive to Nuclear Fuel Slows, Diplomats Say; yesterday, Iran Chief Eclipses Power of Clerics, and two days ago, U.S. Is Debating Talks With Iran on Nuclear Issue.
I'm reminded of the scene in "Good Night and Good Luck" when Edward Murrow argues that ideas of democracy can triumph in discourse with ideological opponents. Maybe it is irrelevant if the nuclear slowdown is politically deliberate or technologically incidental: it's an opportunity to change the rules of the game.
I don't think this is the same Craig Barnes quoted previously, but interesting to find this commentary with its encouraging (NOT) opening line:
"Unbeknownst to most Americans, the Bush administration is getting ready to start another war."
Another headline story from the NYTimes: Iran shuts down newspaper over cartoon. Note: the story isn't headline news for the BBC. Interesting, the cartoon wasn't poking fun at the administration but at an ethnic minority group, Azeri Turks. The Azeri are most densely situated in the northease of Iran, which borders Iraq.
Ethnic strife between Kurds living in the same region has been on the Internet since at least 2003. This report from Xalq Qazeti, Baku, in Azeri 16 Apr 03 p 9 describes rising tensions between Kurds and Azeri's and speculates on a "softening" of the government's stance toward the Azeri (and the US, ha!)
It is unclear (for me, based on these sources) what the government's action in shutting down a popular reformist newspaper NOW is intended to accomplish. The Azeri's have also protested media sources: Azeris circle wagons around opposition channel.
Aside: info on the Turkish language by the BBC. Meanwhile (!), The airport where I would most likely arrive for that conference in July is ablaze. :-/
I've been asked if I have common sense. I've been asked if I'm nuts. I was roasted for considering serious study while visiting Iran: do your comps first and then ENJOY yourself!
Some of the analysis is pretty freaky, for instance, this article from the April 17 edition of The New Yorker.
Here's a blogpost by an American woman in Iran. She made a Request to news agencies covering the Iran nuclear issue back in February.
NOTE: Looks like I'll have to figure out how to wear a hajib.
Concern in Iran After a Scholar Is Held 3 Weeks.
Here's the latest from the US State Department on traveling to Iran. There has been a warning since December 29, 2005. There are no US embassies there, such protection as there may be is provided by the Swiss. "Americans who travel or reside in Iran despite the Travel Warning are strongly encouraged to register through the State Department's travel registration website, https://travelregistration.state.gov. "
