01/04/14
ORIENT II 2014: Iran
Read More
ORIENT II 2014: Iran
Menu
Reflections of an outsider on the current situation of pro-women’s rights activism in Iran
Professor Dr. Roswitha Badry
Much of the literature on the Islamic Republic of Iran acknowledges that women’s rights activism has played
a key role in the process of questioning the clerical oligarchy and demanding democratic reforms. Though the
scope for agency was more or less constricted over the past decades, Iranian women have used various vocal
and non-vocal means of protest and resistance to generate both greater public awareness of gender discrimination and to enhance their rights. This paper examines the opportunities and limitations for women’s
rights activism and will discuss whether there is a chance for a gradual change within the system.
Professor Dr. Roswitha Badry
One Side of the Coin: The official sphere of Syrian-Iranian cultural relations
Dr. Nadia von Maltzahn
Iran had been trying to extend its influence in Syria for decades, Syria being its strongest regional partner since the 1980s. In parallel to evolving political, military and economic relations between Syria and Iran, the latter also started an active cultural programme in Syria with the aim of winning over hearts and minds and spreading its Islamic revolutionary message. However, the fact that Syrian-Iranian relations played out largely in an official sphere limited Iran’s efforts to reach out to the Syrian population at large. In this article, it will be explored which cultural diplomacy practices reinforce a linear narrative of state-promoted cultural identity, and which experiences open up possibilities for a greater understanding that go beyond the politics of the day, after a brief presentation of the evolution of Syrian-Iranian relations.
Dr. Nadia von Maltzahn
A House Built on Sand: Rouhani’s Approach to the Nuclear Issue from a Critical Perspective
Sasan Aghlani
In this article, the author argues that Rouhani’s commitment to a technical resolution of Iran’s nuclear ‘file’ ignores the deep-seated history of mistrust that has plagued Iran-US relations since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. While verification measures are important, they cannot address the reasons why Iran feels insecure in
the region, or why the US assumes that nuclear weapons will be a part of its strategic doctrine in the future.
The article therefore considers how the nuclear issue should be viewed in a wider political context than technical agreements permit
Sasan Aghlani
Between Negotiations and Ongoing Resistance: The Situation of the Afghan Insurgency
Dr. Wahied Wahdat-Hagh
The persecution of Baha’i is a drama in the Islamic Republic of Iran. In this article, the question is raised why
the Baha’i are persecuted since the beginning of their history in Iran. The author analyses the systematic persecution of the Baha’i as a genocidal policy of the Iranian regime referring to the Statute of the International
Criminal Court.
Dr. Wahied Wahdat-Hagh
Iran’s Cultural Policy under the Pahlavis, 1925-1979
Dr. Bianca Devos
This article outlines Iran’s cultural policy under the two Pahlavi monarchs, Reza Shah (1925-1941) and his
son Mohammad Reza Shah (1941-1979) by describing the historical context, the ideological orientation of cultural policy, as well as its agents and contents. While a more systematic and institutionalized cultural policy
during the second Pahlavi period replaced the initial pragmatism of the early Pahlavi period, the fundamental question remained to what extent Western culture should be adopted.
Dr. Bianca Devos
Rouhani’s Administration: a chance for the West to change its foreign policy paradigm
Dr. Mostafa Dolatyar
The article takes a very quick glance at the root-causes of the resentment between Iran and the US and its
allies, the historical context of the Western denial and confrontational foreign policy vis-à-vis Iran, and the opportunities which have been missed so far for a new rapprochement between both sides. Referring to President Hassan Rouhani Administration’s platform and approach, and his suggestion to the UN General
Assembly for global partnership on making a ‘World Against Violence and Violent Extremism’, the paper elaborates on the Iranian new administration potentials, ability and willingness to engage in a viable cooperation
and collective effort to address many looming threats and challenges at the regional and global levels. It asserts that this is a real chance for the US and its allies to grab this chance.
Dr. Mostafa Dolatyar
Giving Diplomacy a Chance: US-Iranian Relations and the Joint Plan of Action
Dr. Bernd Kaussler
The Joint Plan of Action, agreed upon between Iran and the P5+1 in November 2013 and the historic commitment by the US and Iran to engage in direct negotiations and find a negotiated solution to the nuclear issue
has created a window of opportunity to give genuine diplomacy a chance. For the first time in over thirty
years of mutual enmity, US and Iranian high-level diplomatic delegations are conducing direct negotiations
with the aim of peacefully solving the nuclear stalemate. Both Obama and Rouhani are facing domestic constituents as well as allies, which are reluctant to compromise and concession. To that end, both presidents
negotiate internationally as much as need to maintain a coalition back home, supporting engagement. A mutually acceptable long-term agreement could not only bring about some form of détente between both powers but potentially initiate a balance of power in the Middle East, not based on domination but equilibrium and
inclusion.
Dr. Bernd Kaussler
Your Items
The shopping cart currently unavailable.
Your Items
The shopping cart currently unavailable.
Your Items
The shopping cart currently unavailable.