Iran

Trump's Muslim ban first step toward re-establishing American dominance in the Middle East

the views expressed — Fri, 10 Feb 2017 22:29:13 +0000

Trump's executive order to ban citizens of seven Muslim-majority countries from the U.S., comes in flagrant defiance of all international humanitarian laws and basic human rights. This ban is not about protecting Americans from ISIS or "Islamic extremists". Instead, Trump's policy is the first step in an economic and political strategy designed to rebuild the American Empire.

If Donald Trump won't knuckle under, could he face an American 'Colour Revolution'?

djclimenhaga — Thu, 17 Nov 2016 07:11:34 +0000

It would be an irony if the troubles the United States has visited on much of the earth were now visited upon the United States -- and, lest you’re feeling smug about that possibility, it's not likely to be a happy irony if you happen to be a citizen of that country's next-door neighbour.

Still, filmmaker Michael Moore probably has it right when he predicts Donald Trump will not serve out his full term as president.

How religious polemic and a seventh-century battle are driving Iranian foreign policy in Syria

shenaz kermalli — Fri, 14 Oct 2016 19:15:41 +0000

Now is an extraordinary time to be in Iran.

Men and women, babies, teenagers and elderly people, are cloaked head to toe in black. Main roads are blocked off and streets are filled with mourners waving red, green and black flags.

Brightly coloured alams (metallic ornaments engraved with verses from the Quran or names of the Prophet Muhammad and his children) are twirled by master spinners as rhythmic poems and chants are recited -- sometimes thunderously fervent -- other times subdued and mellow.

Each verse is recited in perfect sync with the sound of drums and beating chests, and each seems to prompt a new flood of tears.

Homa Hoodfar free but others remain in prison

The Activist Toolkit — Tue, 20 Sep 2016 14:10:05 +0000

Publish Date:

September 20, 2016

Summary:

Homa Hoodfar was freed September 26, 2016, stand for other activists and scholars

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Dr. Homa Hoodfar is a renowned feminist anthropologist who teaches at Concordia University professor. She was in Tehran’s notorious Evin prison from June 6, 2016 to September 26, 2016.

U.S. will not tolerate foreigners acting like Americans

djclimenhaga — Sun, 31 Jul 2016 05:08:12 +0000

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The United States will not tolerate the countries of the world acting like the United States, senior U.S. officials say.

In particular, according to U.S. officials speaking in a variety of media, the United States will not permit foreign intelligence services to act like U.S. intelligence agencies.

Iranian workers take up fight against the government of Iran

asia pacific currents — Sat, 02 Jul 2016 00:20:03 +0000

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Labour updates of workers' struggles from the Asia-Pacific region.

Interview with Farid Partovi, spokesperson from the International Alliance in Support of Workers in Iran (IASWI), on the repression that workers in Iran face, how they organise against it, hunger strikes in prison, and the value of international solidarity.

Asia Pacific Currents is a program of Australia Asia Worker Links

Asia Pacific Currents is produced at the studios of 3CR Radio in Melbourne, Australia.

Why are our U.S. allies so ambivalent about ISIS, and what does it mean for Canada?

djclimenhaga — Sat, 26 Mar 2016 05:22:24 +0000

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For all we know, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad is a fine ophthalmologist with a sympathetic bedside manner.

By all accounts, though, he is not a very nice person. Indeed, he would seem to meet the commonplace definition of "ruthless Middle Eastern despot."

Iran and Saudi Arabia move towards direct confrontation

Thu, 14 Jan 2016 13:57:30 +0000

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Saudi Arabia executed prominent Shia cleric Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr on January 2. Two days later, it broke off ties with Iran after its embassy in Tehran was attacked by protesters. Jennifer Loewenstein is a human rights activist and faculty associate in Middle East Studies at Penn State University. Jennifer Loewenstein speaks with Redeye host Lorraine Chisholm.

Short-term jobs and profits notwithstanding, Canada's interests are not served by Saudi armoured vehicle sale

djclimenhaga — Sun, 10 Jan 2016 06:55:28 +0000

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It's one thing to treat the execution by another country of a large group of political prisoners as a strictly internal matter, unsavory perhaps, but none of our fine, principled Canadian business.

It is something else entirely to treat an apparent plan to commit genocide or something very much like it by that same country as if it were none of our business.

Saudi executions light more fires in Middle East while Canada keeps mum

shenaz kermalli — Tue, 05 Jan 2016 18:24:55 +0000

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The Saudi government sure knows how to ring in the New Year. Nothing, after all, reflects a message of peace and hope more than a televised statement on Jan. 1 declaring the execution of 47 al-Qaeda "terrorists" by public beheading and firing squads.

Why Canada's belligerent Conservatives are likely praying for peace in the Persian Gulf

djclimenhaga — Tue, 05 Jan 2016 06:44:41 +0000

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When the habitually belligerent and militaristic leaders of Canada's conservative political parties gather in their places of worship this weekend, will they be praying uncharacteristically for peace in the Middle East?

Here's betting they are.

Workers in Iran organizing against exploitation and repression

asia pacific currents — Fri, 13 Nov 2015 23:50:29 +0000

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Labour updates of workers struggles from Thailand, Bangladesh, India and Australia.

Interview with Farid Partovi from the International Alliance in Support of Workers in Iran (IASWI) on the situation for workers in Iran, how they are organizing and surviving government repressions.

In the wake of Iran nuclear deal, give diplomacy a chance

rabble staff — Thu, 27 Aug 2015 14:16:35 +0000

Thursday, August 27, 2015

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A war with Iran would be a catastrophe, yet by opposing diplomacy, hundreds of members of the U.S. Congress may be blundering into just such a conflict.

Jason Kenney sails close to the wind on Anti-Terrorism Act at picnic visit

djclimenhaga — Wed, 19 Aug 2015 06:22:42 +0000

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Jason Kenney, who notwithstanding the dissolution of the House of Commons continues to hold the defence portfolio in the Harper Ministry, was this week courting votes at a picnic organized by a Toronto Kurdish group.

"Spoke to thousands from Canada's #Kurdish community, who thanked us for Canada's military operation against ISIL," Kenney boasted in a Tweet Saturday evening.

That Conservative foreign policy election plank: Shaky, incoherent and quite possibly dangerous

djclimenhaga — Wed, 05 Aug 2015 05:23:50 +0000

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Prime Minister Stephen Harper likes to portray himself as a leader who stands by his foreign friends through thick and thin. But can they really depend on him? And can we depend on them?

Like the economy, Harper has made foreign policy a key plank in his Conservative Party's reelection strategy. And that stalwart support for certain groups and countries is a showpiece part of the prime minister's vote-winning effort.