I like to use this thread to post both the news that gets the headlines in the West as well as the reports that tell you about Iran behind the headlines. First, a few of the headlines. https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/29/world/middleeast/trump-haley-iran-security-council.html With Tour and White House Lunch, Trump Presses U.N. Envoys on Iran The above report is part of the full court press the US has started against Iran, with the US Secretary of State recently touring European capitals to woo them on a more anti-Iranian course. Behind the headlines, you had two reports the past couple of days that I like to post. One of them gives you the most immediate sense through its pictures of how things look from where I am sitting right now. https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/28/world/middleeast/iran-tehran-snow-drought.html Iranians Prayed for Rain, but Were Covered in Snow This other report below, published today, purports to tell you about ordinary life in Iran. To succeed, it gives you pictures from people from different walks of life in different parts of Iran. The pictures I liked the most, I am posting here. The rest you have to see if yourself. https://www.wired.com/story/photo-gallery-everyday-life-iran/ INTIMATE GLIMPSES OF ORDINARY LIFE IN IRAN
There are various reports recently dealing with anti-Hijab acts of defiance and arrest of women involved in these acts. This puts me in a tough position because, on the one hand, I agree in principle with (a) the right to peaceful civil disobedience on this issue; (b) I don't agree with Iran's stance and measures on the issue. On the other hand, though, I am not happy about two things either: 1) the fact that the issue is being used by groups who have other agendas which I don't share, to cause rifts and issues within Iran, and 2) the fact that this is actually happening when the official position on the issue (never mind the unofficial position, which except in specific pre-announced time frames and episodes, consists mostly of ignoring any violations of the standards that exist) was relaxed with Iranian law enforcement announcing a while back that hijab rules would not be enforced through prosecution but through "education" and such measures. A part of me almost worries that those who have other agendas and hate to see Iran take away this issue from them and are trying to cause a backlash. Otherwise, my own view is that each society has its rules on attire and those rules must accord with societal standards and prevailing cultural norms which evolve over time. The general concept that I support would allow the owner/authority responsible for any private or public area to decide the proper required attire, uniform etc to wear in that place. Hence, the owner of a private establishment which is not open to the public (such as a home or a place where only people who are members or otherwise invited can visit) can decide what attire is or isn't acceptable. Whether going to someone's private home or party, or joining a sports club where you will have a uniform and other attire rules, you can't decide the attire you want to wear without taking into account the "rules" that apply. The owner of an establishment open to the public must deal with the public sentiments reflected in ordinances and regulations by the applicable authority with jurisdiction over at public accommodation and so will those who appear in public. But the applicable rules for public establishments must accord with societal standards as enacted by institutions most in touch with public sentiments (such as elected legislative bodies or city councils etc). Of course, if you want to visit a religious site or place of worship, you must observe the rules of those who are custodians and have authority over those places. Basically, in my mind, there is no one set of rules on attire for everywhere and everyone. It depends on where you are going: to someone's home, to work, to a private club, in the streets in the public, to a government office, a place of worship, joining a sports team, etc. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/feb/02/tehran-hijab-protest-iranian-police-arrest-29-women
This piece caught my eye: it is on the subject of the protests which had erupted in various Iranian towns and cities the past month. While I might have more sympathy for genuine neo-liberal economic policies (as opposed to those which encourage crony capitalism and corruption) than the author of this piece, the author nonetheless gives a more accurate picture of the protests than how some were trying to spin them in the west. https://www.opendemocracy.net/north...s-neoliberal-policies-provoked-unrest-in-iran
There was plenty of discussion a few weeks ago about public opinion in Iran. Here is the latest poll on the subject. https://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/or...sts-trump-rhetoric-benefiting-hardliners.html Latest Iran poll suggests Trump rhetoric benefits hard-liners
Iran needs to move from government ownership to privatisation and I for one are closely watching to see if they'll manage, because it will not be an easy task. Certainly Rouhani has been trying since his first term, but obviously hit a brick wall until recently, which means Khomeini is finally listening to the people and acknowledging the corruption within the Iranian Guard owned and controlled companies. I think these are very dangerous times for Rouhani and now also Khomeini who has thrown his weight in behind Rouhani's reforms, for a military to relinquish control to the people would be most impressive and well.... rather unique.
http://www.dw.com/en/half-of-iran-wants-to-drop-headscarf-laws-government-report/a-42462263 Half of Iran wants to drop headscarf laws: government report
