http://associationofyoungamericans.com/blog/index.cfm The Association of Young Americans Policy Issue of the day. en-us Thu, 09 Sep 2010 08:49:29 -0400 Mon, 22 Jun 2009 12:54:00 -0400 BlogCFC http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss young_americans@hotmail.com young_americans@hotmail.com http://associationofyoungamericans.com/blog/index.cfm/2009/6/22/Protesting-in-Iran Unrest and uncertainty continues in Iran following their presidential election and claims of fraud in the reelection of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. "[M]ore details emerged of election irregularities and the government stepped up accusations against the West and the media for fomenting violence. Until now, the government has employed police and ideological militia to quell protests. But now Iran's Revolutionary Guard have vowed to weigh in. It ordered protesters to "end the sabotage and rioting activities" and warned them to be ready for a 'revolutionary confrontation with the Guards, Basij, and other security ... and disciplinary forces' if they dared to gather in public again," reports the Christian Science Monitor. Share your thoughts on the situation in Iran and teh broader Middle East in our Forums. Iran Middle East Mon, 22 Jun 2009 12:54:00 -0400 http://associationofyoungamericans.com/blog/index.cfm/2009/6/22/Protesting-in-Iran http://associationofyoungamericans.com/blog/index.cfm/2007/12/3/National-Intelligence-Estimate-on-Iran Within the last few days, a National Intelligence Estimate (NIE) was released which assessed Iran's Nuclear Intentions and Capabilities. The Estiamte assessed, "with high confidence that in fall2003, Tehran halted its nuclear weapons program." The NIE also judged that "with moderate confidence Tehran had not restarted its nuclear weapons proram as of mid-2007." Further, the NIE noted that "our assessment that Iran halted the [nuclear weapons] program in 2003 primarily in response to international pressure indicates Tehran's decisins are guided by a cost-benefit approach rather than a rush to a weapon irrespective of the political, economic, and military costs." The White House released a statement in response to the NIE. "And it suggests that he President has the right strategy: intesified Interntional pressure along with a willingness to negotiate a solution that serves Iranian interests while ensuring that the world will never have to face a nuclear Iran." What do you think of the National Intelligence Estimate? What are your thoughts and concerns about US policy in relation to Iran? Share your ideas in the Open Forum. Iran Mon, 03 Dec 2007 19:42:00 -0400 http://associationofyoungamericans.com/blog/index.cfm/2007/12/3/National-Intelligence-Estimate-on-Iran http://associationofyoungamericans.com/blog/index.cfm/2007/10/17/Putin-visit-to-Iran Russian President Putin met in Iran with the Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, along with other regional leaders and expressed support for Iran's development of nuclear facilities for civilian, energy purposes. "Washington maintains strong military ties with the Caspian Sea nation of Azerbaijan, and has been wooing Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan for flyover privileges and intelligence sharing. The three nations, all formerly part of the Soviet Union, retain authoritarian leadership and have become political battlegrounds between the U.S. and Russia. At the summit session, the five nations issued a declaration saying they would not allow their territories to be used for military strikes against any of the others," reports the LA Times. "The U.S. and Western European powers believe Iran is cloaking an effort to build nuclear weapons, while Tehran insists that it is seeking to produce only energy for civilian use. Washington and Paris hope to slap Iran with a third round of international sanctions, which Russia and China oppose." Share your thoughts on Iran, Russia and other foreign policy issues in our Open Forum. Iran Wed, 17 Oct 2007 16:03:00 -0400 http://associationofyoungamericans.com/blog/index.cfm/2007/10/17/Putin-visit-to-Iran http://associationofyoungamericans.com/blog/index.cfm/2007/9/24/Iranian-President-in-US Yesterday, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad entered the United States in adavance of his attendance at the United Nations tomorrow. The visit included a lecture/discussion at Columbia University today with faculty and students. At the lecture, Ahmadinejad stated "that the Holocaust should be researched 'from different perspectives,' and he denounced the punishment in Europe of 'a number of academics' who were 'questioning certain aspects of it.' He also said Palestinians should not be 'paying the price for an event they had nothing to do with,'" reports the Washington Post. Discussing the Holocaust further, as reported by the Washington Times, the Iranian President, "denied he was questioning the existence of the Holocaust. 'Granted this happened, what does it have to do with the Palestian people?' he said.There were significant numbers of people who criticized Columbia for inviting Ahmadinejad to speak, while others applauded it as a showing of the principles of free speech and open dialogue. What do you think of Columbia inviting him to speak? If you heard his speech and Q&A with students, what did you think. Share your thoughts in the Open Forum. Iran Mon, 24 Sep 2007 17:33:00 -0400 http://associationofyoungamericans.com/blog/index.cfm/2007/9/24/Iranian-President-in-US http://associationofyoungamericans.com/blog/index.cfm/2007/8/9/Iran-says-US-should-leave-Iraq At the conclusion of second day of meetings between Iraq's Prime Minister Maliki and Iranian leaders, Iran said the US shoudl withdraw from Iraq and that doing so would improve the security situation. "'Establishment of peace and tranquility in Iraq depends on withdrawal of occupiers and their avoidance from interfering in Iraq, and also on the authority of the government of Mr Maliki,' [Iranian Vice President ] Davoodi said after talks with the prime minister," as reported by the BBC. "Iraqi officials have said Mr Maliki will be seeking further co-operation from Iran in helping to quell the violence in his country." With Us leaders divided over our continued presence in Iraq, what do you think of such statements from the leaders of Iran and Iraq? Share your ideas in our Iraq forum. Iran Thu, 09 Aug 2007 17:46:00 -0400 http://associationofyoungamericans.com/blog/index.cfm/2007/8/9/Iran-says-US-should-leave-Iraq http://associationofyoungamericans.com/blog/index.cfm/2007/4/6/US-and-Iran-to-talk Secretary of State Condelezza Rice has said that she is open to having bilateral talks with her Iranian counterpart. Set to occur at a May on conference on Iraq, the "bilateral meeting would be the highest-level such session since the United States broke diplomatic relations with Iran after the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Previous encounters have occurred at group gatherings, with other foreign ministers in the room," reports the Washington Times. "The State Department insists that Miss Rice's talks, like those in Baghdad, would be limited to the situation in Iraq. Washington accuses Tehran of arming and training Shi'ite militiamen and providing sophisticated roadside bombs being used against U.S. troops. Mr. McCormack said any discussions on Iran's nuclear program would take place only after the Iranians stop enriching uranium, which they have refused to do. Tehran says its nuclear activities are for peaceful purposes and not a cover for building weapons, as the West maintains." Are you concerned about engaging Iran one on one, or do you thing such talks are long overdue? Share your thoughts in the Open Forum. Iran Fri, 06 Apr 2007 09:12:00 -0400 http://associationofyoungamericans.com/blog/index.cfm/2007/4/6/US-and-Iran-to-talk http://associationofyoungamericans.com/blog/index.cfm/2007/4/4/British-Hostages-to-be-Freed After a two week stand-off, Iran has said that it will release the British soldiers who are being held. "Speaking at a news conference in Tehran, Mr. Ahmadinejad said that the captives would be taken to Tehran airport immediately after he finished his remarks. 'They are free after this meeting, and can go back to their families,' he said," as reported by the New York Times. "Mr. Ahmadinejad said that the captured Britons had all confessed to trespassing in Iranian waters and that Iran had 'every right' to put them on trial, but had decided not to. 'I want to give them as a present to the British people, to see that they are free,' he said. Afterward, he greeted the captives one by one and shook their hands." What do you think the events of the last few weeks will mean for the relationships between the US, Britain and Iran? Share your thoughts in the Open Forum. Iran Wed, 04 Apr 2007 12:18:00 -0400 http://associationofyoungamericans.com/blog/index.cfm/2007/4/4/British-Hostages-to-be-Freed http://associationofyoungamericans.com/blog/index.cfm/2007/3/27/UK-Soldiers-held-by-Iran Fifteen British soldiers are still being held by Iran after being captured last week while patroling a riveron the border between Iran and Iraq. Yahoo News in an Associated Press article reports that "Iran has said it is questioning the British sailors and marines to determine if their alleged entry into Iranian waters was "intentional or unintentional" before deciding what to do with them the first sign it could be seeking a way out of the standoff. British Prime Minister Tony Blair said Tuesday he hopes diplomacy will win their release but is prepared to move to a 'different phase' if not. Britain and the United States have said the sailors and marines were intercepted Friday just after they completed a search of a civilian vessel in the Iraqi part of the Shatt al-Arab waterway, where the border between Iran and Iraq has been disputed for centuries." What do you think of the manner in which Iran and Britain have handled this situation? Share your thoughts in the Iraq Forum. Iran Tue, 27 Mar 2007 07:23:00 -0400 http://associationofyoungamericans.com/blog/index.cfm/2007/3/27/UK-Soldiers-held-by-Iran http://associationofyoungamericans.com/blog/index.cfm/2007/3/24/UN-Sanctions-Iran Following Iran's failure to stop its nuclear enrichment program, the UN Security Council passed a resolution imposing additional sanctions. "The 15 members of the Security Council approved a ban on Iranian arms exports and a freeze of the assets of 28 additional people and organizations involved in Iran's nuclear and missile programs. About a third of those are linked to the Revolutionary Guard, an elite military corps," reports the USA Today. "Iran has vowed the sanctions will only motivate it further to pursue nuclear power, a message Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki was expected to deliver to the Security Council. Mottaki made the trip instead of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who claimed he canceled his appearance because the U.S. failed to deliver his visa in time. Raising tensions, Iran detained 15 British sailors and marines Friday in what it said were Iranian territorial waters near Iraq. The British sailors and marines had been on a mission to search for smugglers in Iraqi waters." How do you think the UN should handle Iran's continued nuclear program? Share your ideas in the Open Forum. Iran Sat, 24 Mar 2007 17:06:00 -0400 http://associationofyoungamericans.com/blog/index.cfm/2007/3/24/UN-Sanctions-Iran http://associationofyoungamericans.com/blog/index.cfm/2007/2/22/Iran-Continues-Nuclear-Program Despite a UN Security Council resolution setting a deadline to stop enrichmen activities, Iran has continued to pursue its nuclear program. A new report by the International Atomic Energy Agency indicates "that the Iranians instead have pushed the program into higher gear since November. A senior United Nations' official, who briefed reporters, said there had been 'no progress' in resolving the IAEA's major outstanding concerns," reports the LA Times. "The focus now moves to the Security Council in New York, which is expected to meet next week to consider a range of further actions against Iran. Possible new sanctions could include a travel ban on certain Iranian officials, a prohibition against export guarantees and other financial support for Iran, and an expansion of the nuclear embargo to an arms embargo." How do you think the UN and US should handle the situation with Iran. Be Heard in the Open Forum. Iran Thu, 22 Feb 2007 14:06:00 -0400 http://associationofyoungamericans.com/blog/index.cfm/2007/2/22/Iran-Continues-Nuclear-Program http://associationofyoungamericans.com/blog/index.cfm/2006/12/21/Iranian-Presidents-Opposition "In [...] local elections last week, moderate conservatives opposed to [President] Ahmadinejad won a majority of seats. They were followed by reformists, making a comeback after being driven out of local councils, parliament and the presidency over the past five years. In the capital Tehran, where Ahmadinejad was mayor before becoming president 16 months ago, his allies grabbed only three of the 15 council seats, while moderate conservatives won seven. Reformists won four, and an independent one," reports the New York Times. This follows last week's student protests during a speech by Ahmadinejad. "The students' complaints largely mirrored public frustrations over the president's crackdown on civil liberties, his blundering economic policies and his harsh oratory against the West, which they fear will isolate the country," the Times also reported. How do you think such internal Iranian sentiment should be addressed or evaluated by the U.S. in its actions toward Iran? Be Heard in the Open Forum. Iran Thu, 21 Dec 2006 15:35:00 -0400 http://associationofyoungamericans.com/blog/index.cfm/2006/12/21/Iranian-Presidents-Opposition http://associationofyoungamericans.com/blog/index.cfm/2006/11/15/Traces-of-Nuclear-Material-in-Iran "New traces of plutonium and enriched uranium potential material for atomic warheads have been found in a nuclear waste facility in Iran," reports FoxNews in an Associated Press article. "Iran has progressed enough since resuming enrichment activities in February to provoke a U.N. Security Council demand that it freeze its program a call Tehran has ignored. It says it intends to move toward large-scale uranium enrichment involving 3,000 centrifuges by late 2006, then expand the program to 54,000 centrifuges. [...] Experts have estimated Iran would need only 1,500 centrifuges to produce a nuclear weapon." The U.N. Security Council is working on a draft resolution to sanction Iran for refusing to halt its enrichment activites. How do you think the U.S., and the international community as a whole, should deal with Iran? Share your views in the Open Forum. Iran Wed, 15 Nov 2006 11:53:00 -0400 http://associationofyoungamericans.com/blog/index.cfm/2006/11/15/Traces-of-Nuclear-Material-in-Iran http://associationofyoungamericans.com/blog/index.cfm/2006/10/7/Dealing-with-Iran Officials from the US, UK, Germany, France, Russia and China met yesterday to discuss how to deal with Iran. At this point, "Talks between European and Iranian negotiators have failed to persuade Tehran to suspend its enrichment program. Iran insists its enrichment of uranium is purely for the peaceful purpose of nuclear energy. But the United States and many European nations believe Iran wants to enrich uranium to produce nuclear weapons," reports Fox News. The six nations remain divided on how best to deal with Iran's nuclear program. What do you think is the best way for the international community to deal with Iran? Share your thoughts in the Open forum. Iran Sat, 07 Oct 2006 14:24:00 -0400 http://associationofyoungamericans.com/blog/index.cfm/2006/10/7/Dealing-with-Iran http://associationofyoungamericans.com/blog/index.cfm/2006/8/30/Iran-Deadline-Tomorrow Tomorrow marks the deadline, set by a UN Security Council Resolution, for Iran to halt its nuclear program. It appears increasingly unlikely that such a halt will occur. Yesterday Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad proporsed participating in a debate with President Bush "about world affairs and ways to solve those issues," reported the BBC. "He went on to say that "the debate should be uncensored in order for the American people to be able to listen to what we say and they should not restrict the American people from hearing the truth." The White House dismissed the suggested debate as a "diversion." What do you think the appropriate course for the US and the UN is in dealing with Iran. Be heard in the Open Forum. Iran Wed, 30 Aug 2006 16:44:00 -0400 http://associationofyoungamericans.com/blog/index.cfm/2006/8/30/Iran-Deadline-Tomorrow http://associationofyoungamericans.com/blog/index.cfm/2006/8/26/Iran-Opens-Heavy-Water-Plant An Iranian plant that produces Heavy Water went into operation today. "Reactors fueled by enriched uranium use regular -- or 'light' -- water as a 'moderator' in the chain reaction that produces energy. Reactors using 'heavy water' contain a heavier hydrogen particle, which allows the reactor to run on natural uranium mined by Iran, foregoing the enrichment progress. But the spent fuel from a heavy water reactor can be reprocessed to extract plutonium for use in a bomb," reports the New York Times. The plant is part of a Nuclear facility, in which the reactor is not scheduled to be completed until 2009. Share your thoughts on the situation with Iran in the Open Forum. Iran Sat, 26 Aug 2006 08:41:00 -0400 http://associationofyoungamericans.com/blog/index.cfm/2006/8/26/Iran-Opens-Heavy-Water-Plant