Monthly Archives: March 2009

Ergenekon, AKP, And Turkey’s Local Elections

Posted on March 30, 2009 by Abbas Djavadi
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On August 13, 1994, a helicopter landed in the Kurdish village of Kirkagac, near the town of Cizre in southeastern Turkey. Men in camouflage fatigues stormed houses and took away six men, leaving behind their wives, children, and parents. The … Continue reading →

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For Example: Ahmad Ghassaban

Posted on March 28, 2009 by Abbas Djavadi
ahmad-ghassaban

It is a tragedy, a humane one, unfortunately. We get excited about things we think are very important. We write or scream. Maybe we go on the streets and protest. Soon after a few days when the news gets old and … Continue reading →

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From Azerbaijan To India, Spring Festival Norouz Begins

Posted on March 20, 2009 by Abbas Djavadi
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By Abbas Djavadi, Bruce Pannier Across much of the non-Arab Muslim world, people are celebrating Norouz, the festival that marks the arrival of spring and the beginning of the new year. The pre-Islamic holiday with roots in the Zoroastrian religion … Continue reading →

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Happy Nowrooz!

Posted on March 17, 2009 by Abbas Djavadi
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Nowrooz is the new year holiday in Iran, Azerbaijan, Central Asia, Afghanistan, Pakistan, parts of India and among the Kurds. The word itself literally means “new day” in Persian, and the festival marks the beginning of the solar year and … Continue reading →

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Landing In Jail for Treating Political Prisoners

Posted on March 16, 2009 by Abbas Djavadi
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Dr. Hessam Firoozi (photo, left), a physician who has treated dozens of political prisoners in Iran including Akbar Ganji, Ahmad Batebi (photo, right), and dissident Ayatollah Borujerdi, was sentenced to one year in prison and sent to jail last week.  … Continue reading →

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An EU-Turkish Initiative In The Middle East

Posted on March 14, 2009 by Abbas Djavadi
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In the Middle East, Turkey could play a leading role in resolving political conflicts; boosting economic cooperation and investment within the region; and supporting political, economic, and social reforms. As the most democratic Muslim country in the Middle East, one … Continue reading →

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U.S.-Iran: Starting With Afghanistan?

Posted on March 12, 2009 by Abbas Djavadi
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In a first-ever joint counter-narcotics operation, Iranian, Afghan, and Pakistani forces have cooperated in the arrest of suspects and the seizure of illicit drugs. The U.N.’s chief anti-drug official, Antonio Mario Costa, described the operation as “a very important political … Continue reading →

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Roxana Saberi Still In Jail

Posted on March 10, 2009 by Abbas Djavadi
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The Committe to Protect Journalists asked Iran to make public the charges against Roxana Saberi, an Iranian-American journalist who was arrested on January 31. Spokesmen of Iranian Foreign Ministry and Justice Authority had confirmed the arrest and added that the … Continue reading →

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“Free Womens’ Rights Activists!”

Posted on March 9, 2009 by Abbas Djavadi
zanan

A month ago, Aliyeh Eqdam-Doost was arrested in her native town of Fooman and transferred to the infamous prison of Evin in Tehran. Why? Because she attended a peaceful demonstration two years ago in Tehran of all those who wanted … Continue reading →

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U.S.-Iran: An Iranian Perspective

Posted on March 6, 2009 by Abbas Djavadi
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Sadegh Kharrazi, a former Iranian ambassador and now an advisor to the reformist presidential candidate and former President Mohammad Khatami has written on Financial Times on how he thinks the U.S.-Iranian relations should improve. The present situation (in bilateral relations) “cannot … Continue reading →

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U.S.-Iran Talks: First Set The Scene

Posted on March 4, 2009 by Abbas Djavadi
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U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said this week that she did not expect Iran to respond favorably to a U.S. offer of direct talks. But has there been any such offer in the first place? U.S. President Barack Obama … Continue reading →

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