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Iran's Nuclear Ambitions From
IDENTITY AND LEGITIMACY: IRAN’S NUCLEAR AMBITIONS FROM NON- TRADITIONAL PERSPECTIVES Pupak Mohebali Doctor of Philosophy University of York Politics June 2017 Abstract This thesis examines the impact of Iranian elites’ conceptions of national identity on decisions affecting Iran's nuclear programme and the P5+1 nuclear negotiations. “Why has the development of an indigenous nuclear fuel cycle been portrayed as a unifying symbol of national identity in Iran, especially since 2002 following the revelation of clandestine nuclear activities”? This is the key research question that explores the Iranian political elites’ perspectives on nuclear policy actions. My main empirical data is elite interviews. Another valuable source of empirical data is a discourse analysis of Iranian leaders’ statements on various aspects of the nuclear programme. The major focus of the thesis is how the discourses of Iranian national identity have been influential in nuclear decision-making among the national elites. In this thesis, I examine Iranian national identity components, including Persian nationalism, Shia Islamic identity, Islamic Revolutionary ideology, and modernity and technological advancement. Traditional rationalist IR approaches, such as realism fail to explain how effective national identity is in the context of foreign policy decision-making. I thus discuss the connection between national identity, prestige and bargaining leverage using a social constructivist approach. According to constructivism, states’ cultures and identities are not established realities, but the outcomes of historical and social processes. The Iranian nuclear programme has a symbolic nature that mingles with socially constructed values. There is the need to look at Iran’s nuclear intentions not necessarily through the lens of a nuclear weapons programme, but rather through the regime’s overall nuclear aspirations. -
U.S. and Iranian Strategic Competition
Iran V: Sanctions Competition January 4, 2013 0 U.S. AND IRANIAN STRATEGIC COMPETITION Sanctions, Energy, Arms Control, and Regime Change Anthony H. Cordesman, Bryan Gold, Sam Khazai, and Bradley Bosserman April 19, 2013 Anthony H. Cordesman Arleigh A. Burke Chair in Strategy [email protected] Note: This report is will be updated. Please provide comments and suggestions to [email protected] Iran V: Sanctions Competition April, 19 2013 I Executive Summary This report analyzes four key aspects of US and Iranian strategic competition - sanctions, energy, arms control, and regime change. Its primary focus is on the ways in which the sanctions applied to Iran have changed US and Iranian competition since the fall of 2011. This escalation has been spurred by the creation of a series of far stronger US unilateral sanctions and the EU‘s imposition of equally strong sanctions – both of which affect Iran‘s ability to export, its financial system and its overall economy. It has been spurred by Iran‘s ongoing missile deployments and nuclear program, as reported in sources like the November 2011 IAEA report that highlights the probable military dimensions of Iran‘s nuclear program. And, by Iranian rhetoric, by Iranian threats to ―close‖ the Gulf to oil traffic; increased support of the Quds Force and pro-Shiite governments and non-state actors; and by incidents like the Iranian-sponsored assassination plot against the Saudi Ambassador to the US, an Iranian government instigated mob attack on the British Embassy in Tehran on November 30, 2011, and the Iranian-linked attacks against Israeli diplomats. -
The Relationship Between the Supreme Leadership and Presidency and Its Impact on the Political System in Iran
Study The Relationship Between the Supreme Leadership and Presidency and Its Impact on the Political System in Iran By Dr. Motasem Sadiqallah | Researcher at the International Institute for Iranian Studies (Rasanah) Mahmoud Hamdi Abualqasim | Researcher at the International Insti- tute for Iranian Studies (Rasanah) www.rasanah-iiis.org WWW.RASANAH-IIIS.ORG Contents Executive Summary ....................................................................................... 3 I- The Status and Role of the Supreme Leadership and the Presidency in the Iranian Political System ................................................................................. 4 II- The Problems Involving the Relationship Between the Supreme Leader and the Presidency .............................................................................................. 11 III- Applying Pressure Through Power to Dismiss the President .....................15 IV- The Implications of the Conflict Between the Supreme Leader and the Presidency on the Effectiveness of the Political System ................................. 20 V- The Future of the Relationship Between the Supreme Leader and the President ........................................................................................ 26 Conclusion .................................................................................................. 29 Disclaimer The study, including its analysis and views, solely reflects the opinions of the writers who are liable for the conclusions, statistics or mistakes contained therein -
CT 11 Final:Layout 1
Iran Takes on the World By Jamsheed K. Choksy he islamic republic of iran is today challenging the world. The Iranian leadership’s appetite for power is growing, for they have become thoroughly convinced that no outside power—the U.S. in- cluded—will derail their rise to regional and even global prominence. “Whether you like it or not,” the Iranian cleric and politician Ayatollah TAhmad Khatami, an influential figure and on-and-off mentor to Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, publicly boasted to the U.S., “you have to regard Iran as a great power in the political sphere. The people of Iran have realized there is nothing you can do to us now or will be capable of doing [in the future]. So rather than using all your resources in failed attempts to oppose Iran, you should work with us.”1 Khatami’s statement, like many other recent pronouncements made by the Is- lamic Republic’s leaders, underscores why Iran has not complied with years of Amer- ican demands for full transparency in its nuclear programs, for putting a halt to its sponsorship of terrorism and propagation of militant Islam or Islamism globally, and for cooperation in regional affairs. Simply put, the Islamic Republic’s ruling politicians no longer fear America; they believe the U.S. and its allies have lost the political will to preserve the current order. Tehran, therefore, no longer worries about the repercussions of pursuing an ever-more ambitious policy aimed at refash- ioning the international order and extending Iranian power and influence. Students of history know this is not the first time a rising Iran has sought to dom- inate its neighbors and the world beyond. -
The 2021 Iran Presidential Elections: Prospects and Expectations
INFO PACK The 2021 Iran Presidential Elections: Prospects and Expectations Fatih Şemsettin Işık INFO PACK The 2021 Iran Presidential Elections: Prospects and Expectations Fatih Şemsettin Işık The 2021 Iran Presidential Elections: Prospects and Expectations © TRT WORLD RESEARCH CENTRE ALL RIGHTS RESERVED PUBLISHER TRT WORLD RESEARCH CENTRE June 2021 WRITTEN BY Fatih Şemsettin Işık PHOTO CREDIT ANADOLU AGENCY TRT WORLD İSTANBUL AHMET ADNAN SAYGUN STREET NO:83 34347 ULUS, BEŞİKTAŞ İSTANBUL / TURKEY TRT WORLD LONDON 200 GRAYS INN ROAD, WC1X 8XZ LONDON / UNITED KINGDOM TRT WORLD WASHINGTON D.C. 1819 L STREET NW SUITE, 700 20036 WASHINGTON DC / UNITED STATES www.trtworld.com researchcentre.trtworld.com The opinions expressed in this Info Pack represent the views of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the TRT World Research Centre. 4 The 2021 Iran Presidential Elections: Prospects and Expectations Introduction n June 18, Iran is scheduled to hold After eight years of Hassan Rouhani as president, presidential elections following Has- Iran will elect a new president on June 18, 2021. Amid san Rouhani’s eight year tenure. With renewed nuclear talks with the United States in Vien- the ongoing nuclear talks in Vienna na and the sanctions-related economic deterioration, and the country’s deteriorating eco- the significance of these elections is heightened. O Even though presidential authority is relatively limit- nomic situation the significance of these elections are magnified. This info-pack explores the contours ed compared to the Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, of the political dynamics in Iran ahead of the June 18 the presidential office is nonetheless significant. -
Ira Di N: Ah Ismis Hmad Ssal a Dinej and R Jad B Resign Betwe Natio
Iran: Ahmadinejad between Dismissal and Resignation Fatimah Smadi* Al Jazeera Centre for Studies Tel: +974-44930181 31 July 2011 Fax: +974-44831346 [email protected] www.aljazeera.net/studies Relations between the Supreme Leader of the Iranian Revolution, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and the Iranian President, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, have certainly been seriously impaired although the latter had used to boast their father-son bond and the former had long supported him, asserting that among Iranian officials, Ahmadinejad is the closest to him. Ahmadinejad has sought to create a course of judgment independent from that of the Supreme Leader three times. The first time was when he appointed his son’s father-in-law and friend, Rahim Mashaei, as his vice president despite the severe criticism he received and he did not yield until Khamenei bluntly ordered him to dismiss Mashaei. Ahmadinejad reattempted to create his own course of judgment when he "offensively" dismissed his foreign minister, Manouchehr Mottaki, due to disputes regarding foreign policies and after introducing a diplomatic path parallel to that of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs despite Khamenei’s disapproval. The third attempt that caused confrontation followed when he dismissed the Minister of Intelligence, Hojjatul-Islam Haydar Moslihi, despite the Supreme Leader's objection. The Supreme Leader, who was dissatisfied with Ahmadinejad's audaciousness, then directly addressed Moslihi (circumventing Ahmadinejad,) in an unparalleled precedence in the Iranian politics, with a letter praising his achievements and ordering him to hold on to his position. In truth, Khamenei can depose Ahmadinejad from office if he finds it beneficial to do so, especially with the increase of criticism from the Ayatollahs of Qom and strained relations with the legislative and judicial authorities. -
Touka Neyestani's Yearbook Nowroz 1393
Touka Neyestani’s Yearbook Nowroz 1393 taught me to protest in silence. He did not grow up A Conversation With Touka Neyestani in the Neyestani family, but he shared my father’s Ala Mohseni dark view of the world. In those heated days of our As a cartoonist, you have achieved revolution, I became eager to follow the footsteps a style that is truly your own. I of Goya and had this childish dream that perhaps, imagine your father, Manouchehr, someday, I would publish a collection of my work, was a big influence. With his art with the same power and punch as Goya’s work, one encounters the same Los Caprichos and the Disasters of War. Once I bitter irony, the same allegorical reached mental maturity, of course, I realized that black and white atmosphere. Can somebody like me could never reach the level of an you tell us about other influences artist like Goya. Nevertheless, I still wish to have and how your work took shape? work as good as his. This motivates me to continue I owe my interest in media and my dark and ironic working. worldview to my father. Whatever talent I have for Your brother Mana’s work is more explicitly social and drawing comes from him as well. He was a poet, political, while yours almost always retains a poetic but sometimes he sketched something quickly on ambiguity. In your own view, what distinguishes the the margins of his notebook. He breathed the air of art of Touka Neyestani from that of Mana Neyestani? the same allegorical black and white world that you Maybe the biggest difference is that Mana started mentioned – and we had to breathe it too. -
Ahmadinejad Versus Khamenei
No. 3 • May 2011 Ahmadinejad versus Khamenei: IRGC Wins, Civilians Lose By Ali Alfoneh Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad risks impeachment following his failed attempt to wrest con- trol over the Intelligence Ministry from Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Khamenei correctly considered Ahmadinejad’s dismissal of Intelligence Minister Hojjat al-Eslam Heydar Moslehi a direct attack against him and mobilized the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) to restrict Ahmadinejad’s power. Should Ahmadinejad survive parliamentary attempts at impeachment, the conflict between the supreme leader and the president is likely to continue. However, the IRGC may be the main beneficiary of the continual battles between the two civilian leaders of the Islamic Republic. On April 17, Iranian president Mahmoud Ahma- leave, which he called “distance working” from dinejad sparked a new political crisis in Iran by home,7 Ahmadinejad provided a coded explana- dismissing Hojjat al-Eslam Heydar Moslehi, the tion: “I am convinced that a strong and powerful influential minister of intelligence and a close ally president would lead to dignity of the Leadership of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.1 Less than an and especially the nation. A strong president can hour after Ahmadinejad’s decree appeared in the stand firm as a defensive shield, advance affairs of media, Fars News Agency reported that Khamenei the state, and bring dignity upon it. All leaders and had reinstated Moslehi2—a move that infuriated executives are in need of strong arms.”8 In other Ahmadinejad, who refused to attend cabinet meetings for two weeks. Khamenei’s unconstitu- Outlook Eastern Middle Key points in this Outlook: tional overruling of the president in the fight over the strategically important ministry was meant to • President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad risks reassert his authority in the struggle for power impeachment following his failed attempt with Ahmadinejad. -
Iran Country of Origin Information (COI) Report COI Service
Iran Country of Origin Information (COI) Report COI Service 26 September 2013 Iran September 2013 Contents Preface Background Information 1. Geography ............................................................................................................ 1.01 Maps ...................................................................................................................... 1.05 Iran ..................................................................................................................... 1.05 Tehran ................................................................................................................ 1.06 Calendar ................................................................................................................ 1.07 Public holidays ................................................................................................... 1.08 Weekend ............................................................................................................ 1.09 2. Economy ............................................................................................................... 2.01 Exchange rates ..................................................................................................... 2.10 3. History ................................................................................................................... 3.01 Pre 1979: Rule of the Shah .................................................................................. 3.01 From 1979 to 1999: Islamic Revolution to first -
The Sun Is Setting on President Ahmadinejad
The sun is setting on President Ahmadinejad Erika Holmquist Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s time in office video clip aiming to prove that Larijanis brother Fazel has been controversial. Ahmadinejad has gone from and by association the whole Larijani family is corrupt. being favored by Iran’s great leader Ayatollah Khamenei No doubt the immediate objective was to discredit Ali to engaging in open struggles with him. Khamenei’s Larijani in order to torpedo his chances of joining the support was a decisive factor in Ahmadinejad’s re-election presidential race, and thereby improving the odds for in 2009. The election was perceived as fraudulent Ahmadinejad’s ally Esfandiar Rahim Mashaei. in the eyes of many Iranians and led to extensive Ali Larijani could easily dispel Ahmadinejad’s demonstrations and corresponding governmental allegations by distancing himself from his brother’s crackdowns. Since then Ahmadinejad’s confrontational actions. Effectively turning the tables on Ahmadinejad, style of governing has had a detrimental effect on Larijani then asked the justified question of why he relations between him and Khamenei, mainly because had not brought the allegation to the attention of the Ahmadinejad has come off as challenging Khamenei’s authorities instead of bringing it to the Parliament. authority on several issues. As their good relationship He also explained that Ahmadinejad had contacted soured, Ahmadinejad’s influence in Iranian politics him prior to the parliamentary session and tried to use diminished. the clip to blackmail himself out of being questioned. Ahmadinejad has been severely criticized during this Larijani added that he was glad that Ahmadinejad had last presidential period, primarily due to the poor state done what he did, because it proved to the public what of the Iranian economy. -
Beyond Nuclear Ambiguity. the Iranian Nuclear Crisis and the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action
PREMIO CESARE ALFIERI CUM LAUDE – 6 – PREMIO CESARE ALFIERI CUM LAUDE Commissione giudicatrice Anno 2018 Elena Dundovich (Presidente, area storica) Emidio Diodato (area politologica) Giorgia Giovannetti (area economica) Laura Magi (area giuridica) Gabriella Paolucci (area sociologica) Michele Gerli Beyond Nuclear Ambiguity The Iranian Nuclear Crisis and the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action FIRENZE UNIVERSITY PRESS 2019 Beyond Nuclear Ambiguity : the Iranian Nuclear Crisis and the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action / Michele Gerli. – Firenze : Firenze University Press, 2019. (Premio Cesare Alfieri Cum Laude ; 6) http://digital.casalini.it/9788864538655 ISBN 978-88-6453-864-8 (print) ISBN 978-88-6453-865-5 (online PDF) ISBN 978-88-6453-866-2 (online EPUB) Progetto grafico di Alberto Pizarro Fernández, Pagina Maestra Immagine di copertina: © M-sur | Dreamstime.com Peer Review Process All publications are submitted to an external refereeing process under the responsibility of the FUP Editorial Board and the Scientific Committees of the individual series. The works published in the FUP catalogue are evaluated and approved by the Editorial Board of the publishing house. For a more detailed description of the refereeing process we refer to the official documents published on the website and in the online catalogue (www.fupress.com). Firenze University Press Editorial Board M. Garzaniti (Editor-in-Chief), M. Boddi, A. Bucelli, R. Casalbuoni, A. Dolfi, R. Ferrise, M.C. Grisolia, P. Guarnieri, R. Lanfredini, P. Lo Nostro, G. Mari, A. Mariani, P.M. Mariano, S. Marinai, R. Minuti, P. Nanni, G. Nigro, A. Perulli. The on-line digital edition is published in Open Access on www.fupress.com. -
Estructura De La Información En Irán
UNIVERSIDAD DE SEVILLA Estructura de la Información en Irán El caso de Press TV como actor de la política exterior de la República Islámica Autor: Tesis Doctoral Rafael Fernández Ruiz Universidad de Sevilla Directores: Departamento de Periodismo II Dra. Rosalba Mancinas Facultad de Comunicación Dr. Luciano Zaccara Sevilla, 2017 Dedicada a mi madre, Siento haber tardado tanto. Te fuiste tan pronto… A Celia, Porque siempre sacas lo mejor de mi, también esta tesis A Miguel y León, ¡Cuánto tiempo me habéis regalado para cumplir este sueño! 2 Agradecimientos Rosalba Mancinas, por contagiarme su ilusión por la investigación Luciano Zaccara, por ayudarme a descifrar Irán, por su ejemplo y constancia Mohammad Shivafar, por abrirme las puertas de Irán Ramón Reig, un faro en la tenebrosa mediocridad Marina Lacalle, por creer en mi desde la distancia Mis alumnos, siempre obligándome a aprender más y más El pueblo de Irán, por inspirarme y seducirme INTRODUCCIÓN “Antes los diplomáticos me preguntaban qué hacer, ahora me consultan qué decir a la prensa” Henry Kissinger El ocho de julio de 2007 inició sus emisiones vía satélite un nuevo medio de comunicación con sede en Teherán. Una cadena de televisión todonoticias en lengua inglesa de titularidad pública, integrada en la corporación estatal de medios iraní IRIB, con el nombre comercial de Press TV. La República Islámica seguía los pasos de otros países como Rusia o Venezuela y ponía a disposición de la audiencia de todo el planeta, un canal de televisión propio con el objetivo de contrarrestar los mensajes críticos con la república, a juicio de sus autoridades y, de paso, ofrecer su visión de los acontecimientos mundiales con especial atención a lo acaecido en Estados Unidos, Oriente Medio y la Unión Europea.