Iran's Proxies Know Their Limits As Next Front Line of Showdown with US

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Iran's Proxies Know Their Limits As Next Front Line of Showdown with US UK £2 www.thearabweekly.com Issue 203, Year 5 EU €2.50 April 28, 2019 Muslims After Egypt’s Women in and the West referendum Sudan, Algeria protests Page 4 Page 13 Page 20 Iran’s proxies know their limits as next front line of showdown with US ► There are few indications that Iranian surrogates are willing to opt for military escalation specifically because of their realistic assessment of the option and, in many cases, their awareness of their increasing weaknesses. Mamoon Alabbasi ures, which include sanctions and terror designations, against Iranian proxies. London Even before the waivers expire, Iran and its proxies in Lebanon, xperts said Iran’s prox- Yemen, Syria and Iraq have been ies are unlikely to retaliate feeling the pain of sanctions. against US interests in the “Quantifying the strain on this E Middle East despite deci- network is difficult because Iranian sions by Washington to increase support is covert and beneficiaries pressure on Tehran. rarely discuss their finances but in- The Trump administration an- terviews with fighters, officials and nounced that sanctions waivers for analysts who track the issue made importation of Iranian oil would be the economic pain clear,” the New reduced to “zero level” after they York Times reported. expire May 2. While it remains unclear if the “The Trump administration and pain translates into a reversal of our allies are determined to sustain policy by Iran and its allies, there and expand the maximum eco- are few indications that Iranian sur- nomic pressure campaign against rogates are willing to opt for mili- Iran to end the regime’s destabilis- tary escalation specifically because ing activity threatening the United of their realistic assessment of the States, our partners and allies, and option and, in many cases, their security in the Middle East,” read a awareness of their increasing weak- White House statement April 22. nesses. “The president’s decision to In Iraq, more members of the eliminate all SREs (Significant Re- country’s Shia community are turn- duction Exceptions) follows the ing against Iran, which they blame designation of the Islamic Revo- for the Arab country’s woes. This Heated rhetoric. A Hezbollah supporter attends a rally in Beirut. (Reuters) lutionary Guard Corps [IRGC] as has led many in Iraq’s political class a Foreign Terrorist Organisation, to distance themselves from Teh- demonstrating the United States’ ran. but conditions in Syria are unlikely towards Riyadh and vowed to reach it attached unattainable conditions, commitment to disrupting Iran’s Hard-line Iraqi supporters of Iran to allow it to make any military es- “strategic” targets in Saudi Arabia such as an apology from Washing- terror network and changing the may be more concerned with keep- calation on Iran’s behalf. and the United Arab Emirates. ton, to such negotiations. regime’s malign behaviour,” the ing their positions of influence in- Hezbollah, under frequent Israeli Any strikes they could carry out Iranian Foreign Minister Moham- statement added. side Iraq — with Iranian help — than air strikes in Syria, is likely to seek are unlikely to be as strategic as mad Javad Zarif said he believes The United States said it would in engaging in a military confron- to continue its activities in Syria they describe them and would be that US President Donald Trump not sanction foreign governments tation with the United States. Bills and Lebanon but does not appear operations of opportunity rather does not want war with Iran but and businesses that have dealings in the Iraqi parliament that call for to be looking forward to engaging than dictated by retaliation against that the US president could be with the IRGC and its affiliates, a timetable for the withdrawal of Israel and much less the United increased pressure on Iran. In any lured into a conflict by hawks in his such as al-Quds Force. Neverthe- US troops from Iraq are unlikely to States in a full-blown war. case and despite their inflated administration. less, the United States imposed pass. Hezbollah’s intention could be rhetoric, the Houthis are wary of A realistic Zarif said his country’s sanctions on entities accused of In fact, the Iraqi government ap- inferred from its measured reaction provoking unwanted regional and immediate intent is not confron- aiding Lebanon’s Hezbollah evade pears ready to benefit from the ef- to Israel’s destruction of its tunnels international reactions as UN-spon- tation but sidestepping the sanc- Washington’s sanctions against the fect of the expiration of US waiv- on the Lebanese-Israeli border last sored talks on Yemen continue. tions. “There are always ways of Iran-backed group. ers by announcing that Baghdad is December. The issue of US waivers Iran itself appears aware that going around the sanctions. We Countries benefiting from the US ready to boost its oil output should may not be worth the risk of war military measures, such as blocking have a PhD in that area,” he told waivers are China, India, Turkey, the market need. Iraq, which relies that could weaken the group’s grip the Strait of Hormuz, are unrealis- Reuters. Greece, Italy, Japan, South Korea on oil exports for most of its reve- on the Lebanese government. tic threats meant for domestic con- and Taiwan. Iraq has a waiver on nues, also stands to benefit from oil Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi re- sumption. Furthermore, guessing Mamoon Alabbasi is Deputy importing Iranian electricity and price hikes. bels are still battling the Saudi-led that effective escalation would not Managing Editor and Online Editor gas that will end in June. The regime of Syrian President coalition supporting the interna- be in its own interest, Tehran has of The Arab Weekly. In recent months, the United Bashar Assad owes its survival at tionally recognised Yemeni gov- signalled its readiness to “negoti- States has imposed punitive meas- least partially to help from Tehran ernment. They have fired missiles ate” with the United States, even if P2-3,6,10-11,14 Jordan’s disabled struggle for acceptance and opportunities in society Roufan Nahhas people,” he said, citing figures of the bled children. We need to do more,” Dubai and other places,” he added. everything alone. I can dress alone, Department for International Devel- he said. Sawalmeh was the first paraple- button my jacket alone, et cetera,” opment. Jordan’s people with disabilities gic to summit Mount Kilimanjaro said Nassar, who is married and par- Amman (PWD) society has helped many dis- in a wheelchair in 5 days, a feat he ticipates in sports, including swim- abled persons rise to be role models. undertook to raise awareness of the ming and basketball. Ali Sawalmeh ordan has made progress in First Jordanian paraplegic A notable case is Ali Sawalmeh, a rights of PWD. “Society around me has been so bettering the lives of people to summit Mount wheelchair marathon athlete who “My message was that, if you supportive and my family, too, but with disabilities but still needs Kilimanjaro in a wheelchair has become an inspiration to disa- dream, you can do things and that more effort is needed to integrate to introduce changes to facili- bled Jordanians. PWD deserve to be seen and heard PWD in the labour market. The J “My message was that, if you tate acceptance of the disabled and “I never thought of my disability and to have access to life like every- private sector needs to contribute improve their access to the job mar- dream, you can do things and as a barrier and wanted to change one else,” he said. more and give more job opportuni- ket. that PWD deserve to be seen the image people have of the disa- Anton Nassar became executive ties,” he said. Muhanad Azzeh, secretary-gen- and heard and to have access to bled. With determination and strong director of a morning television pro- There are more than 150 socie- eral of the Higher Council for the life like everyone else.” will, we (PWD) managed to over- gramme at Jordan Radio and Televi- ties and centres that care for people Affairs of Persons with Disabilities come the challenges and now the sion Corporation despite losing an with disabilities in Jordan. Their (HCD), which supports activities HCD President Prince Mired Raad society sees us as role models,” said arm in a car accident when he was common goal is to help PWDs gain that serve the disabled in Jordan, Zeid al-Hussein noted that more Sawalmeh, who works at Jordan’s 5 years old. acceptance and enjoy opportunities said there was still much work to do. than 500,000 disabled people under Public Security Department. “It was so challenging for a in society. “We estimate that 11-15% of the the age of 18 lack proper education. “I love sports and I love challeng- 5-year-old child to lose one major population suffers from disabilities, “Jordan does not have schools that es. I have been grabbing advanced part of his body but, little by little, Roufan Nahhas is a journalist based amounting to more than 1 million could place disabled with non-disa- positions in marathons in Jordan, I managed to overcome it and do in Jordan. 2 April 28, 2019 Cover Story US Pressure on Iran Tehran opts for brinksmanship as US applies ‘maximum pressure’ on Iranian oil exports Thomas Seibert pert at the Middle East Institute in Washington, said by telephone. Vatanka said the leadership in Istanbul Tehran was hoping that Trump would not be re-elected next year, ran is fiercely criticising the de- which could open the way for a thaw cision by the Trump adminis- in relations.
Recommended publications
  • A WAY FORWARD with IRAN? Options for Crafting a U.S. Strategy
    A WAY FORWARD WITH IRAN? Options for Crafting a U.S. Strategy THE SOUFAN CENTER FEBRUARY 2021 A WAY FORWARD WITH IRAN? OPTIONS FOR CRAFTING A U.S. STRATEGY A WAY FORWARD WITH IRAN? Options for Crafting a U.S. Strategy THE SOUFAN CENTER FEBRUARY 2021 Cover photo: Associated Press Photo/Photographer: Mohammad Berno 2 A WAY FORWARD WITH IRAN? OPTIONS FOR CRAFTING A U.S. STRATEGY CONTENTS List of Abbreviations 4 List of Figures 5 Key Findings 6 How Did We Reach This Point? 7 Roots of the U.S.-Iran Relationship 9 The Results of the Maximum Pressure Policy 13 Any Change in Iranian Behavior? 21 Biden Administration Policy and Implementation Options 31 Conclusion 48 Contributors 49 About The Soufan Center 51 3 A WAY FORWARD WITH IRAN? OPTIONS FOR CRAFTING A U.S. STRATEGY LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS BPD Barrels Per Day FTO Foreign Terrorist Organization GCC Gulf Cooperation Council IAEA International Atomic Energy Agency ICBM Intercontinental Ballistic Missile IMF International Monetary Fund IMSC International Maritime Security Construct INARA Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act INSTEX Instrument for Supporting Trade Exchanges IRGC Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps IRGC-QF Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps - Qods Force JCPOA Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action MBD Million Barrels Per Day PMF Popular Mobilization Forces SRE Significant Reduction Exception 4 A WAY FORWARD WITH IRAN? OPTIONS FOR CRAFTING A U.S. STRATEGY LIST OF FIGURES Figure 1: Iran Annual GDP Growth and Change in Crude Oil Exports 18 Figure 2: Economic Effects of Maximum Pressure 19 Figure 3: Armed Factions Supported by Iran 25 Figure 4: Comparison of Iran Nuclear Program with JCPOA Limitations 28 5 A WAY FORWARD WITH IRAN? OPTIONS FOR CRAFTING A U.S.
    [Show full text]
  • Annual Report 2018
    2018Annual Report Annual Report July 1, 2017–June 30, 2018 Council on Foreign Relations 58 East 68th Street, New York, NY 10065 tel 212.434.9400 1777 F Street, NW, Washington, DC 20006 tel 202.509.8400 www.cfr.org [email protected] OFFICERS DIRECTORS David M. Rubenstein Term Expiring 2019 Term Expiring 2022 Chairman David G. Bradley Sylvia Mathews Burwell Blair Effron Blair Effron Ash Carter Vice Chairman Susan Hockfield James P. Gorman Jami Miscik Donna J. Hrinak Laurene Powell Jobs Vice Chairman James G. Stavridis David M. Rubenstein Richard N. Haass Vin Weber Margaret G. Warner President Daniel H. Yergin Fareed Zakaria Keith Olson Term Expiring 2020 Term Expiring 2023 Executive Vice President, John P. Abizaid Kenneth I. Chenault Chief Financial Officer, and Treasurer Mary McInnis Boies Laurence D. Fink James M. Lindsay Timothy F. Geithner Stephen C. Freidheim Senior Vice President, Director of Studies, Stephen J. Hadley Margaret (Peggy) Hamburg and Maurice R. Greenberg Chair James Manyika Charles Phillips Jami Miscik Cecilia Elena Rouse Nancy D. Bodurtha Richard L. Plepler Frances Fragos Townsend Vice President, Meetings and Membership Term Expiring 2021 Irina A. Faskianos Vice President, National Program Tony Coles Richard N. Haass, ex officio and Outreach David M. Cote Steven A. Denning Suzanne E. Helm William H. McRaven Vice President, Philanthropy and Janet A. Napolitano Corporate Relations Eduardo J. Padrón Jan Mowder Hughes John Paulson Vice President, Human Resources and Administration Caroline Netchvolodoff OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS, Vice President, Education EMERITUS & HONORARY Shannon K. O’Neil Madeleine K. Albright Maurice R. Greenberg Vice President and Deputy Director of Studies Director Emerita Honorary Vice Chairman Lisa Shields Martin S.
    [Show full text]
  • Malley As Iran Envoy: Hawks and Progressives Spar Over Possible Nomination
    Malley as Iran Envoy: Hawks and Progressives Spar over Possible Nomination Reports that Robert Malley, lead Iran negotiator under Obama, is being considered for envoy position sparks outrage from conservatives By Ali Harb Region: USA Global Research, January 28, 2021 Theme: Intelligence Middle East Eye 26 January 2021 All Global Research articles including the E-Book can be read in 27 languages by activating the “Translate Website” drop down menu on the top banner of our home page (Desktop version). *** Despite deep divisions plaguing American politics, the Republican pushback against President Joe Biden’s cabinet nominees has been relatively quiet. Days into the new administration, the Senate confirmed Biden’s secretaries of state, treasury and defence, as well as intelligence chief with bipartisan support as other nominees undergo routine hearings. A fight may be looming, however, over the potential nominationRobert of Malley, an outspoken proponent of diplomacy, as the administration’s envoy for Iran. Malley, an Obama-era diplomat, leads the International Crisis Group think tank, which focuses on preventing and resolving violent conflicts. His possible appointment has faced an early backlash from conservatives and earned the praise of advocates of the Iran nuclear deal. Sina Toossi, a senior research analyst at the National Iranian American Council (NIAC), said a well-funded and coordinated “network” of anti-Iran hawks that has been smearing advocates of diplomacy with Tehran has “drawn the line” on Malley. “Rob Malley was the Obama administration’s chief nuclear negotiator – someone has experience negotiating with the Iranians, who is an actual diplomat,” Toossi told MEE. “These attacks are part of a broader effort against diplomacy with Iran, against reversing Trump’s disastrous approach towards Iran.” Backlash The chatter, opposition and praise for Malley started last week when Jewish Insider reported that he was being considered for the position of special envoy for Iran.
    [Show full text]
  • The Sudanese Civil War - the Effect of Arabisation and Islamisation
    Research and Science Today No. 2(12)/2016 International Relations THE SUDANESE CIVIL WAR - THE EFFECT OF ARABISATION AND ISLAMISATION Paul DUTA1 Roxelana UNGUREANU2 ABSTRACT: SUDAN IS NOT AN ARAB ETHNIC EVEN IF THE ARAB CIVILIZATION IS FUNDAMENTAL IN THIS STATE, SUDANESE BEING CONSIDERED AFRICANS OF DIFFERENT ETHNIC ORIGINS. THE PROCESS OF ISLAMISATION OF EGYPT HAS IGNORED SUDAN, BEING RECORDED ONLY OCCASIONAL RAIDS IN THE SUDAN OVER MORE THAN THE TURN OF THE MILLENNIUM WHAT HAS ATTRACTED THE EMBLEM OF THE BORDER OF ISLAM (TURABI USES THE WORDS “FRONTIER ZONE ARABS”). THE TRANSFORMATION OF SUDAN IN A SPACE OF ARAB CIVILIZATION HAS NOT BEEN CARRIED OUT BY MILITARY CONQUEST BUT BY TRADE AND ARAB MISSIONARIES WHICH BANISH CHRISTIAN INFLUENCES, ARABISATION ESTABLISHED ITSELF THOUGH ISLAM (TWO THIRDS OF THE POPULATIONS) AND RABA LANGUAGE (HALF OF THE POPULATION). THE PROSPECTS OF IRRECONCILABLE ISLAMIC ON THE STATE THE SUDANESE OF TABANI AND KUTJOK REFLECTS THE GRAVITY OF THE CONTRADICTIONS WHICH IT CONTAINS THE FOUNDATIONS OF THIS STATE. THE POPULATION IN THE SOUTH OF THE COUNTRY COULD ACCEPT A FEDERALIZATION, BUT THE LEADERSHIP OF THE ISLAMIC POLICY IN THE NORTH WOULD NOT BE ACCEPTED LOSS OF POWER; THE POLITICAL ELITE IN THE SOUTH OF THE COUNTRY STILL PRESSED FOR THE SECESSION. FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF THE STATE UNITY, THE CIVIL WAR BETWEEN THE ELITE OF THE NORTH AND THE MINORITY POPULATIONS OF SOUTH AFRICA (NILE MINORITY DINKA, NUER MINORITY OF BAHR AL-GHAZAL, MINORITIES IN THE AREA OF THE UPPER NILE AND THE EQUATOR) IS POWERED BY THE UNFAIRNESS OF THE REDISTRIBUTION AND MONOPOLISE RESOURCES AFTER OBTAINING INDEPENDENCE.
    [Show full text]
  • Iran's Foreign and Defense Policies
    Iran’s Foreign and Defense Policies Updated May 8, 2019 Congressional Research Service https://crsreports.congress.gov R44017 SUMMARY R44017 Iran’s Foreign and Defense Policies May 8, 2019 Iran’s national security policy is the product of many overlapping and sometimes competing factors such as the ideology of Iran’s Islamic revolution, perception of threats Kenneth Katzman to the regime and to the country, long-standing national interests, and the interaction of Specialist in Middle the Iranian regime’s factions and constituencies. Iran’s leadership: Eastern Affairs x Seeks to deter or thwart U.S. or other efforts to invade or intimidate Iran or to bring about a change of regime. x Has sought to take advantage of opportunities of regional conflicts to overturn a power structure in the Middle East that it asserts favors the United States, Israel, Saudi Arabia, and other Sunni Muslim Arab regimes. x Seeks to enhance its international prestige and restore a sense of “greatness” reminiscent of ancient Persian empires. x Advances its foreign policy goals, in part by providing material support to regional allied governments and armed factions. Iranian officials characterize the support as helping the region’s “oppressed” and assert that Saudi Arabia, in particular, is instigating sectarian tensions and trying to exclude Iran from regional affairs. x Sometimes disagrees on tactics and strategies. Supreme Leader Ali Khamene’i and key hardline institutions, such as the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), oppose any compromises of Iran’s national security core goals. Iran’s elected president, Hassan Rouhani, and Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif support Iran’s integration into regional and international diplomacy.
    [Show full text]
  • U.S.-Iran Tensions and Implications for U.S. Policy
    U.S.-Iran Tensions and Implications for U.S. Policy Updated July 29, 2019 Congressional Research Service https://crsreports.congress.gov R45795 SUMMARY R45795 U.S.-Iran Tensions and Implications for July 29, 2019 U.S. Policy Kenneth Katzman Since May 2019, U.S.-Iran tensions have escalated. The Trump Administration, following its Specialist in Middle 2018 withdrawal from the 2015 multilateral nuclear agreement with Iran (Joint Comprehensive Eastern Affairs Plan of Action, JCPOA), has taken several steps in its campaign of applying “maximum pressure” on Iran. Iran and Iran-linked forces have targeted commercial ships and infrastructure Kathleen J. McInnis in U.S. partner countries. U.S. officials have stated that Iran-linked threats to U.S. forces and Specialist in International interests, and attacks on several commercial ships in May and June 2019, have prompted the Security Administration to send additional military assets to the region to deter future Iranian actions. However, Iran’s downing of a U.S. unmanned aerial aircraft might indicate that Iran has not been deterred, to date. Clayton Thomas Analyst in Middle Eastern President Donald Trump has said he prefers a diplomatic solution over moving toward military Affairs confrontation, including a revised JCPOA that encompasses not only nuclear issues but also broader U.S. concerns about Iran’s support for regional armed factions. During May-June 2019, the Administration has placed further pressure on Iran’s economy. By expanding U.S. sanctions against Iran, including sanctioning its mineral and petrochemical exports, and Supreme Leader Ali Khamene’i. Iranian leaders have refused to talk directly with the Administration, and Iran has begun to exceed some nuclear limitations stipulated in the JCPOA.
    [Show full text]
  • Iran Case File (April 2019)
    IRAN CASE FILE July 2020 RASANAH International Institute for Iranian Studies, Al-Takhassusi St. Sahafah, Riyadh Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. P.O. Box: 12275 | Zip code: 11473 Contact us [email protected] +966112166696 The Executive Summary .............................................................4 Internal Affairs .........................................................................7 The Ideological File ......................................................................... 8 I. Supporters of Velayat-e Faqih and the Call to End the US Presence in Iraq .......................................................................... 8 II. Coronavirus Amid Muharram Gatherings in Najaf ............................ 9 The Political File ............................................................................12 I. The Bill to Hold Rouhani Accountable and the Conservatives’ Call for Him to Be Deposed .......................................12 II. The Supreme Leader Saves Rouhani From Interrogation and Rejects His Ouster .....................................................13 The Economic File ..........................................................................16 I. History of Economic Relations Between Iran and China .....................16 II. The Nature and Provisions of the 25-year Partnership Agreement ..... 17 III. Prospects of the Long Term Iranian-Chinese Partnership .................18 The Military File............................................................................ 20 Arab Affairs ............................................................................25
    [Show full text]
  • Mining in South Sudan: Opportunities and Risks for Local Communities
    » REPORT JANUARY 2016 MINING IN SOUTH SUDAN: OPPORTUNITIES AND RISKS FOR LOCAL COMMUNITIES BASELINE ASSESSMENT OF SMALL-SCALE AND ARTISANAL GOLD MINING IN CENTRAL AND EASTERN EQUATORIA STATES, SOUTH SUDAN MINING IN SOUTH SUDAN FOREWORD We are delighted to present you the findings of an assessment conducted between February and May 2015 in two states of South Sudan. With this report, based on dozens of interviews, focus group discussions and community meetings, a multi-disciplinary team of civil society and government representatives from South Sudan are for the first time shedding light on the country’s artisanal and small-scale mining sector. The picture that emerges is a remarkable one: artisanal gold mining in South Sudan ‘employs’ more than 60,000 people and might indirectly benefit almost half a million people. The vast majority of those involved in artisanal mining are poor rural families for whom alluvial gold mining provides critical income to supplement their subsistence livelihood of farming and cattle rearing. Ostensibly to boost income for the cash-strapped government, artisanal mining was formalized under the Mining Act and subsequent Mineral Regulations. However, owing to inadequate information-sharing and a lack of government mining sector staff at local level, artisanal miners and local communities are not aware of these rules. In reality there is almost no official monitoring of artisanal or even small-scale mining activities. Despite the significant positive impact on rural families’ income, the current form of artisanal mining does have negative impacts on health, the environment and social practices. With most artisanal, small-scale and exploration mining taking place in rural areas with abundant small arms and limited presence of government security forces, disputes over land access and ownership exacerbate existing conflicts.
    [Show full text]
  • Muammar Gaddafi 1 Muammar Gaddafi
    Muammar Gaddafi 1 Muammar Gaddafi Muammar Gaddafi ﻣُﻌَﻤَّﺮ ﺍﻟﻘَﺬَّﺍﻓِﻲ [[file:Muammar al-Gaddafi at the AU summit.jpg alt=]] Gaddafi at the 12th African Union summit in Addis Ababa. (2009) Leader and Guide of the Revolution of Libya Incumbent Assumed office 1 September 1969 41 years, 350 days President Prime Minister Preceded by Position established Personal details Born 7 June 1942Sirt, Italian Libya Spouse(s) Fatiha al-Nuri (Divorced) Safia Farkash (1970–present) [1] [2] Children Muhammad,Saif al-Islam,Al-Saadi,Hannibal, Moatessem-Billal, Saif al-Arab ),Khamis, Milad (adopted) ) Religion Islam Signature Military service Allegiance Kingdom of Libya (1961–69) Libyan Arab Republic (1969–77) Great Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya (1977–present) Service/branch Libyan Army Years of service 1961–present Rank Colonel Commands Commander-in-chief, Libyan Armed Forces Battles/wars Libyan–Egyptian War Chadian–Libyan conflict Uganda–Tanzania War 2011 Libyan civil war Awards Medal for the 1969 Revolution *As King of Libya Muʿammar al-Qaḏḏāfī audio)[variations] (bornﻣُﻌَﻤَّﺮ ﺍﻟﻘَﺬَّﺍﻓِﻲ :Muammar Muhammad al-Gaddafi[3] (Arabic 7 June 1942) is a Libyan revolutionary and political strongman. Gaddafi became head of state by removing King Idris in a bloodless coup.[4] His 41 years and 11 months in power make him one of the longest-serving non-royal rulers in history.[5] Muammar Gaddafi 2 Gaddafi ruled Libya with a unique political philosophy termed the Third International Theory. His approach rejected capitalism and communism, and was based on ideals of Arab nationalism and socialism. In 1979, he stated that Libya was a direct democracy and relinquished the title of prime minister.
    [Show full text]
  • Iran COI Compilation September 2013
    Iran COI Compilation September 2013 ACCORD is co-funded by the European Refugee Fund, UNHCR and the Ministry of the Interior, Austria. Commissioned by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Division of International Protection. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author. ACCORD - Austrian Centre for Country of Origin & Asylum Research and Documentation Iran COI Compilation September 2013 This report serves the specific purpose of collating legally relevant information on conditions in countries of origin pertinent to the assessment of claims for asylum. It is not intended to be a general report on human rights conditions. The report is prepared on the basis of publicly available information, studies and commentaries within a specified time frame. All sources are cited and fully referenced. This report is not, and does not purport to be, either exhaustive with regard to conditions in the country surveyed, or conclusive as to the merits of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Every effort has been made to compile information from reliable sources; users should refer to the full text of documents cited and assess the credibility, relevance and timeliness of source material with reference to the specific research concerns arising from individual applications. © Austrian Red Cross/ACCORD An electronic version of this report is available on www.ecoi.net. Austrian Red Cross/ACCORD Wiedner Hauptstraße 32 A- 1040 Vienna, Austria Phone: +43 1 58 900 – 582 E-Mail: [email protected] Web: http://www.redcross.at/accord ACCORD is co-funded by the European Refugee Fund, UNHCR and the Ministry of the Interior, Austria.
    [Show full text]
  • How to Win Well Civil Resistance Breakthroughs and the Path to Democracy
    ICNC SPECIAL REPORT SERIES | VOL. 4 APRIL 2021 How to Win Well Civil Resistance Breakthroughs and the Path to Democracy Jonathan Pinckney How to Win Well: Civil Resistance Breakthroughs and the Path to Democracy by Jonathan Pinckney (2021) Published by ICNC Press Publication Disclaimer: The designations used and material presented in this publication do not indicate the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of ICNC. The authors hold responsibility for the selection and presentation of facts contained in this work, as well as for any and all opinions expressed therein, which are not necessarily those of ICNC and do not commit the organization in any way. International Center on Nonviolent Conflict 600 New Hampshire Ave NW, Suite 710 • Washington, D.C. 20037 USA www.nonviolent-conflict.org COPY EDITOR: Julia Constantine SPECIAL REPORT SERIES EDITOR: Dr. Maciej Bartkowski CONTACT: [email protected] © 2021 International Center on Nonviolent Conflict Jonathan Pinckney All rights reserved. ISBN: 978-1-943271-34-4 ICNC SPECIAL REPORT SERIES How to Win Well Civil Resistance Breakthroughs and the Path to Democracy Jonathan Pinckney Table of Contents Introduction . 1 How Nonviolent Uprisings Succeed . 5 The Effects of the Breakthrough Types . 8 Testing the Influence of Civil Resistance-Initiated Breakthroughs on Democratization . 10 Breakthrough by Elections in the 2018 Armenian Velvet Revolution . 14 Breakthrough by Coup d’État in the 2011 Egyptian Revolution . 16 Takeaways and Recommendations . 19 References . 21 Appendix . 25 Coding Rules for Determining Breakthrough Type . 25 Example Breakthrough Type Coding Determinations . 26 TABLE A1: Complete List of Cases with Breakthrough Types . 28 TABLE A2: Full OLS Model Regression Table and Robustness Check Results .
    [Show full text]
  • IRGC Gets 112 Missile-Launching Speed Boats Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova Said on Thursday the U.S
    WWW.TEHRANTIMES.COM I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y 12 Pages Price 50,000 Rials 1.00 EURO 4.00 AED 42nd year No.13675 Saturday MAY 30, 2020 Khordad 10, 1399 Shawwal 7, 1441 EU, Russia condemn EU designates Rock climber Alipour Film Museum of Iran U.S. for ending Naghsh-e Jahan Sq. as looks to win reopens after 3-month nuclear waivers 2 World Heritage asset 8 Olympics gold 11 coronavirus closure 12 Over $7.3b allocated for See page 2 development projects TEHRAN — Head of Iran’s Planning and accelerating the implementation of prior- Budget Organization (PBO) has announced itized national and provincial development an over 310 trillion rials (about $7.38 bil- projects and to fulfill the current year’s slogan lion) budget allocation for development which is “surge in production”. projects across the country in the current The resources allocated to the national Iranian calendar year (started on March development projects are going to be 218 20), IRNA reported. trillion rials ($5.19 billion), while special According to a PBO statement, the provincial projects will be given 16.74 tril- mentioned budget has been allocated for lion rials ($398.5 million), 4 U.S. move to end nuclear sanction waivers are symbolic: Shireen Hunter By Javad Heirannia real. The ending of waivers are in the same TEHRAN — Shireen Tahmaasb Hunter, vein,” Hunter comments. a professor of political science at George- She also says the goal behind such a town University, tells the Tehran Times move “is not to rescue JCPOA or even to that the new U.S.
    [Show full text]