...The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), or Iranian Nuclear Deal in vernacular, that was signed earlier this year is the culmination of a decades-long diplomatic arm wrestle between Iran and the United Nations. Iran, the European Union and the permanent members of the UN Security Council collectively referred to as P5+1 (United States, United Kingdom, France, Russia, China and Germany), reached a final agreement on July 14, 2015 in Vienna after many rounds of negotiations. The deal is meant to curb Iran's nuclear program, which has been a prolonged international safety concern, in return for incremental relief from the UN sanctions that have economically isolated Iran for years. The JCPOA requires that Iran cut its stock of enriched uranium by 98%, enrich uranium up to only 3.67%, and eliminate 2/3 of its current centrifuges. Iran cannot build new uranium-enrichment facilities, and nuclear activities will be restricted to one facility. Additionally, Iran has given the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) extensive access to its nuclear facilities for inspections. The physical requirements will last 15 years, while monitoring parameters will be in effect for 25 years. As Iran is confirmed to be in compliance with the deal, sanctions will be lifted and Iran will receive $100 billion of its frozen assets. Hassan Rouhani, the current Iranian president, and his administration hope the agreement will revitalize the country's economy. In exchange, the other parties predict...
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...Historical Context Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is the sixth and current President of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Ahmadinejad is a controversial figure both within Iran and internationally. He has been criticized domestically for his economic lapses and disregard for human rights. Internationally he is criticized for his hostility towards western nations, most notably the United States of America and Israel, and for his apparent support of Islamic Extremism and Terrorism. He launched a gas rationing plan in 2007 to reduce the country's fuel consumption, and cut the interest rates that private and public banking facilities could charge. Shortly after Ahmadinejad was elected president, some western media outlets published claims that he was among the students who stormed the US embassy in Tehran, sparking the Iran hostage crisis. This claim has been denied by the Iranian government, the Iranian opposition as well as a CIA investigation on the matter. After the Islamic Revolution, Ahmadinejad became a member of the Office for Strengthening Unity, an organization developed to prevent students from sympathizing or allying with the budding Mojahedin-e Khalq. He first took political office as unelected governor to both Maku and Khoy in West Azarbaijan Province during the 1980s. He eventually became an advisor to the governor general of Kurdistan Province for two years. During his doctoral studies at Tehran, he was appointed governor general of newly formed Ardabil Province from 1993 until Mohammad...
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...Provider ID_peterjharvey There are multiple threats to security in Southwest Asia today. Which threat in your opinion poses the greatest danger to regional and international peace and why? There are many documented reasons why Southwest Asia poses a danger to regional and international peace, and this essay is designed to touch on some of the myriad of problems confronting Southwest Asia at the present time and explain why. If we look at internationally, Southwest Asia presents U.S. policymakers with some of their most difficult and seemingly intractable foreign policy problems. Regionally, where do you start, some of the region’s problems, for example, the former Maoist insurgency in Nepal and the protracted civil war that raged for decades in Sri Lanka have finally been resolved ( I believe that it must be remembered that although, in the case of the latter, Tamil aspirations for independence could eventually reignite that conflict at any time), the region’s most dangerous problems remain unresolved, when we look at the two major powers of the region India and Pakistan which remain in a state of perpetual conflict, although their current governments have kept nationalistic/religious fervour in their respective countries to a minimum – a situation that could change soon with the election of a Hindu nationalist to be prime minister of India( Narendra Modi). With both countries possessing nuclear weapons and both countries harbouring considerable numbers of extremists...
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...* Question 1 0 out of 0.2 points | | | What is Rashid al-Din known for? | | | | | Selected Answer: | B. The only staunchly Jewish official in the Mongol Empire | Answers: | A. The military leader that brought down the Mamluks | | B. The only staunchly Jewish official in the Mongol Empire | | C. Policies that reversed the relationship between China and Iran | | D. The leader who shifted the ideological basis of the Mongol Empire in Iran from Chinggis to an emphasis on Islam | | | | | * Question 2 0 out of 0.2 points | | | What did Pope Gregory VII seek to do in the investiture controversy? | | | | | Selected Answer: | B. To ensure that all tithes would be paid directly to the papacy | Answers: | A. To start a rebellion among German princes against the Spanish monarch | | B. To ensure that all tithes would be paid directly to the papacy | | C. To take power away from monarchs in appointing church leaders | | D. To reestablish the church's authority in all matters of doctrine | | | | | * Question 3 0 out of 0.2 points | | | Who were the lowest in the social hierarchy in Yuan China? | | | | | Selected Answer: | C. Europeans | Answers: | A. Southern Chinese | | B. Muslims | | C. Europeans | | D. Mongols | | | | | * Question 4 0.2 out of 0.2 points | | | In which country did Pope Urban urge the people to force out all Muslims? | | | | | Selected Answer: | C. Spain...
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...French media coverage of the headscarf controversy perpetuates considerable misunderstanding of Islam and thus the politics of tension between religious minorities in a society where secular is hegemonic. In 1989, in a small town outside of Paris, three girls were expelled for wearing hijabs. The girls were in no way disruptive, or incapable academically, however, the event became a significant media event which the hijab was framed as a ‘veil’ or misrepresented as a chador. Furthermore, public intellectuals in the media promoted concerns regarding “Iran-type” mobilisation in France. A similar incident occurred in 1994, 69 girls were expelled for wearing what was continually labeled in the media as a veils, as in 1989 the ‘veil’ became a point...
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...Introduction Unlike the United States, our criminal procedure follows an adversarial system, which is based under English Common Law. The people of Iran and many other countries and governments in the Middle East, follow Islamic law, also known as Sharia Law. Sharia Law is the underlying influence of the legal code in many Muslim countries. What is Sharia Law? Sharia law, also known, as Islamic law is a movement derived from the Holy Quran that allows such countries as Iran to govern personal status laws, regulations that pertain to divorce and marriage, inheritance and custody. In the Middle East, Sharia law contains major controversy when it comes to influence status law as well as criminal law. The Holy Quran and some of its interpretations are used to justify what Americans would describe as cruel and unusual punishments like death by stoning and the unequal treatment of women in their dress, status, inheritance and independence (Johnson, 2010). The Iranian government follows and sets forth laws under Sharia and the ways of the Holy Quran and prophet Mohammed. Sharia developed in 632 CE after the death of the prophet Mohammad and passed down by scholars as the ways of “Allah”, the ways of the one and only God. People of the Muslim faith follow a school called the Ja’fari, which is most notable in Iran as Shia-dominant (Johnson, 2010). Elements Under Sharia Law: The primary element of Sharia is the Holy Quran. There are not other appeals that go against the...
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...Arab population in Palestine. The conflict attracted the neighboring Arab countries who took the Palestinian Arab side. In 1948, the state of Israel was established, and the existing conflict between Arabs in Palestine and the Israeli shifted from the local context to the inter-state level (Bickerton, 2012). Since then, the Israeli relations with the Arab world has taken different directions. The shifting process has been based on new and broken relationships between single Arab states and Israel. It has also taken shifts based on a long-lasting solution, and the Israeli continued aggression against the Arab Palestine. Some Arab countries have shifted their focus from the Israeli-Palestine war and their conflict with Israel is based political affiliation, foreign policy or weapons aspirations. For instance, Iran’s nuclear aspirations intensified the conflict they had with Israel. Saudi Arabia has...
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...The Modernization of Women in Revolutionary Iran The Quran, Sura 4, verse 38 states, “Men are the managers of the affairs of women for that God has preferred in bounty one of them over another…and those you fear may be rebellious admonish; banish them to their couches, and beat them”. To develop and understand social change, it is crucial to examine the central structures and organizations within a given society. Through examining family structure, the state, and religion, geared with a specific focus on gender, a basic set of followed societal governing rules and values become apparent. Each of these societal structures are interrelated, working together to permit as well as restrict the agency of women in revolutionary Iranian society. For the development of successful social change to take place, it must arise through gender conflict, class conflict, and political action. Each social structure such as, family structure, state relations, and religion, is located within the larger context of a national structure, meaning the examples previously mentioned are subject to larger regional and global influences and changes. Due to this reasoning, it is important to examine evolving economic development and political change to understand women’s status within Iranian revolutionary societies and furthermore, their changing roles within the traditional family structure, Islam, education, and the work force. Through an analysis of class location, policy restructuring, and changing...
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...and After the Pahlavi Period In Iran Hashem Alshakhas December 11 2013 Table of Contents Section Page Introduction………………………………………………………….……………………..1 Rise of Reza and Muhammad Shah………………………………………….…….1 The first Pahlavi period- Reza Shah…...…………………………………….…….5 Modernization, unveiling and clash with the citizens…………………………5 The second Pahlavi period- Muhammad Shah…………………………..10 After The Islamic Revolution …………………………………………….14 Conclusion…………………………………………………………………..19 References…………………………………………………………………..21 Introduction It has been more than 30 years since the victorious Islamic revolution transpired and sought the citizen supported and the forceful death of the Pahlavi dynasty which was ruled, with a denied democracy, under Mohammed shah and his father, Reza shah who were both put forth by the British. Due to the controversial media’s coverage, its western influence and lack of justice, there remains a bitter taste in the mouth of feminists in regards to women’s rights under the newly born Islamic state. In this paper, I will be examining and shedding light on these issues, as well as comparing the current and past roles of women, the differences between the Islamic and Pahlavi imposed laws on these women all within the confines of the diverse domains of Iran, while taking into consideration...
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...the civilians of various countries in the middle east, political complications between the middle east and western regions as well as global fear of unknown uprising terror attacks. The rise of ISIS, explained in 6 minutes by “Vox” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pzmO6RWy1v8 Despite the short length of this six minute video, it contains extensive content to provide all viewers with general information on the rise of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria. The video thoroughly...
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...Cultural Research: The Basseri of Iran Jennifer Elsberry ANT 101 Michelle Neumyer July 22, 2013 Cultural Research: The Basseri of Iran The Basseri tribe is located in Fars, just south of Iran. They are a traditional pastoral nomadic tribe, and speak the dialect of Farsi. The Basseri live in the hot and barren climate of the Persian Gulf. In this paper I will identify a few aspects of Pastorilism in the Basseri tribe. We will also discuss their religious beliefs and belief in supernaturalism, social organization, kinship, and political organization. Pastoralism is the herding of sheep, cattle, reindeer, goats, camels, and alpaca. According to the definition, pastoralists are people/tribes that move regularly in search of naturally occurring water and grass. (Nowak, B., & Laird, P.2010). "Nomadic pastoralists rely on their animals to fulfill most of their needs, using milk, blood, and meat for food and skins for clothing and tents." (Nowak, B., & Laird, P.2010 sec. 5.2 parr. 1). The nomads practice little to no agriculture due to them moving their herds from place to place. In consequence, the nomads must rely on village farmers for cereals and other necessities. The tribe move their herds on a seasonal schedule, "The Basseri move to high mountain pastures in the Zagros Mountains during the summer and return to the lowlands of southern Persia during the winter." (Crabtree, Pam J. 2006) Pastoral nomads are constantly moving pastures to feed their herds which...
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...On Friday October 16, 1981, President Ronald Reagan wrote in his personal diary, “Central America is really the world’s next hotspot. Nicaragua is an armed camp supplied by Cuba and threatening a communist takeover of all of Central America.” (The Reagan Diaries, 2007) For the next eight years as Commander-in-Chief, this mindset would shape his perspective on the small Third World country about the size of North Carolina. The Administration’s policies, actions, and attitudes toward Nicaragua and other perceived hostile nations became known as “Reagan Doctrine.” The defeat of the Nicaraguan Revolution became the “cornerstone of the Reagan Central American policy and the test case of Reagan Doctrine.” (U.S. Intervention in the Nicaraguan Elections and American Foreign Policy in the Post-Cold War Era, 1992) Reagan Doctrine was not a label coined by President Reagan or his administration. It was a term used later by his critics to define his foreign policy strategy for countries around the world. The Reagan Doctrine was a strategy to aid anti-communist, or more specifically, anti-Soviet insurgencies in the Third World during Reagan’s two terms as president from 1981-1989. The primary goal was to overthrow Marxist regimes and/or prevent Marxist regimes from becoming established. Reagan wasted no time getting started in the implementation of his foreign policy. The Administration’s first comprehensive “U.S. National Security Strategy,” which was a document approved by the President...
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...United States. All coins have two faces and stories have two sides, and this is the case of this controversy. In this essay, I will discuss pros and cons of Puerto Rico becoming a state, I will also present my point of view. It will take a careful analysis and serious discussion, may be even national consensus before the moment of admission of a new state into the United States. Becoming a state is not something that happens just because the residents of Puerto Rico agree with, but understanding the history and agreeing with the U.S. terms, Puerto Rico should become the fifty first state of the United States. The Puerto Rican government should encourage the citizens and work harder for the statehood. As a Puerto Rican living in the United States and having my love ones in the Island, I feel the government in Puerto Rico need to make progress and give more encouragement to Puerto Rico to become a state. Puerto Rico became United States territory in 1889 during the Spanish-American war. The first year of the 20th century were marked as the struggle to obtain grater democratic rights from the United States. In 1950, the president Truman signed what is known as a Public Act 600, which allowed Puerto Rico to draft their own constitution, establishing the commonwealth of Puerto Rico; the same year, the congress had conferred commonwealth status on Puerto Rico, and upgraded Puerto Rico’s political status from protected to commonwealth. In 1951, the 600 law is passed, giving the island the...
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...civil aircraft must never be attacked does not mean that they have a legal right to trespass -Assembly of ICAO in 1984 adopted an amendment to 1944 Chicago Conv. On the Int. Civil Aviation which confirms that “every state, in the exercise of its sovereignty is entitled to require the landing at some designated airport of a civil aircraft flying above its territory without authority.” and that “every state must refrain from resorting to use of weapons against civil aircraft in flight and that, in case of interception, the lives of persons on board and the safety of aircraft must not be endangered” -case: US warship in Persian Gulf in 1988 shot down the civilian Iran Air Flight Killing 250 passengers from 6 countries; offered to pay ex gratia compensation later; Iran didn’t accept that offer and claim come before Iran-us...
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...Brics summit “The aim of brics is to convert their growing economic power into greater geopolitical clout” BRICS is the title of an association of leading emerging economies, arising out of the inclusion of South Africa into the BRIC group in 2010. As of 2012, the group's five members are Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. With the possible exception of Russia, the BRICS members are all developing or newly industrialised countries, but they are distinguished by their large, fast-growing economies and significant influence on regional and global affairs. As of 2012, the five BRICS countries represent almost 3 billion people, with a combined nominal GDP of US$13.7 trillion, and an estimated US$4 trillion in combined foreign reserves Presently, India holds the chair of the BRICS group. Due to steady growth in BRICS nations in the recent past their share in global output has grown from 11% in 2005 to 18% in 2010. President of the People's Republic of China Hu Jintao has described the BRICS countries as defenders and promoters of developing countries and a force for world peace. The BRIC grouping's first formal summit commenced in Yekaterinburg on June 16, 2009, with Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva,Dmitry Medvedev, Manmohan Singh, and Hu Jintao, the respective leaders of Brazil, Russia, India and China, all attending. In 2010, South Africa began efforts to join the BRIC grouping, and the process for its formal admission began in August of...
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