Class Picture Fall 08

Thanks for a great semester guys!

-Amir

Children of Heaven

Hi guys. I hope those of you who stuck around and watched Children of Heaven enjoyed it. (Who else totally hated that kid who pushed down the main character during the race?)

Much like the previous Persepolis post, I want to know what you thought about this film and its themes. How does it connect to some of the themes we have spoken about in class? For some of you that had little contact with Iranian culture before, what are you taking away from this film? Once again, no plot summary guys.

-Amir

Obama's Approach To U.S. Relations With Iran

Hello class. I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving. This link will direct you to an NPR program on what Obama may do about Iran. It features both Ted Koppel and Zbigniew Brzezinski (former national security adviser to President Carter.) Listen to the program and post your reactions. Do you agree with these men? Disagree? How about those who called in? Also read some of the comments left on NPR's site. What are your reactions to them?

-Amir

Final Paper Fall 08

Instructions: You must write a 3-5 page essay responding to one of the topics below. The essay must be double spaced, in 12 point Times New Roman font, with 1 inch margins. You must also have a cover page which will include your name, your student ID number, your blog screename, the number of the essay topic you are responding to, and the title of your essay. Additionally on the cover page you must also indicate which three postings you commented on in the blog (and any additional postings made to excuse absences etc…). Giving the title of the posting is enough. In order to pass this class you must complete three blog postings and this essay.

For the essays I want you to make a strong argument that you will support with evidence. Your argument must be made clear in your intro paragraph. You must also support every claim you make with a reference. (For example, you can’t just say a government is repressive without having something to back you up. Do this and you will fail!) You must cite an article from the reader at least once. You may also feel free to use any outside resource you please, except wikipedia. Citation can be done in a variety of ways, as long as it is consistent. However, you must include a bibliography at the end of your essay.

A hardcopy of your essay is due at the beginning of the final class session, Dec 9th 2008. E-mail copies will not be accepted! You may turn in the essay earlier if you please.

Topics:
1. Describe the system of concessions during the Qajar period in Iran. How did this impact the 1906 Constitutional Revolution?

2. Discuss how the U.S. government both benefited from, and was eventually repudiated for, the 1953 coup d'état against Mohammad Mossadegh. Be sure to include information regarding Cold War politics and how it legitimated the intervention.

3. Describe some of the events that contributed to the culmination of the Revolution of 1979. What inspired the Revolution? What components of the Shah’s program did people oppose?

4. “It was Iran against the world” is a statement that is constantly used to describe the Iran-Iraq war. To what extent is this true? Describe the support given to both Iran and Iraq during the war. Make sure to also discuss the controversy surrounding the Iran-Contra affair.

5. Describe the powers of the Supreme Leader. How have his actions colored the presidencies of Rafsanjani, Khatami, and Ahmadinejad?

6. Make a judgment on Ahmadinejad’s tenure as the President of Iran. What have been his accomplishments and what have been his mistakes? Be sure to discuss both his domestic and foreign agendas.

7. Should Iran be allowed to continue its nuclear program? Keep in mind Iran’s domestic needs, its stated intentions, and the possible threats the program poses.

8. With the election of Barack Hussein Obama as the 44th President of the United States, a possible new era of Iran-U.S. relations has begun. What do you think will change, if anything? Is this good or bad?

9. Should Iran be an Islamic Republic? Why or why not? What are the benefits and drawbacks of this form of government versus the benefits and drawbacks of other forms of government? You may suggest alternative government styles, but you must also comment on their feasibility in the Iranian context.

10. Topic of your choice. You must have this approved by me before writing your essay. Either speak to me in class or shoot me an e-mail.

Feel free to talk to me about your essays. I am always here to answer your questions. Good luck!

-Amir

"Salaam to Haj Agha Obama!"

Hello class.

The title of this post comes from the Iranian reaction to President-elect Barack Hussein Obama's victory.

Read this TIME.com article regarding the new possibilities for Iran-US relations. Do you think the optimism is warranted? Is this a good thing for either country? What are your other reactions?

I am excited to hear your thoughts.

-Amir

President Ahmadinejad

Hello class. The topic for this week was, of course, President Ahmadinejad. You guys definitely have some strong opinions about him.

You will need to comment on Ahmadinejad's letter to Americans. It is included in the reader.

Basically, as an American, or at least someone who currently resides here, what is your reaction to this letter? What would you like to say to him as a reply?

Be sure to come up with some issues that came up this week in lecture.

Don't forget to vote this Tuesday! (Doesn't matter who you vote for; just do it!)


-Amir

Khatami on democracy

Hello everyone. I hope you guys enjoyed the lecture on the Reformist movement. I am posting the clip of Khatami talking about the viability of democracy in Iran, particularly the brand of democracy he thinks Iran should have. 

What are your reactions? Do you agree/disagree? Is this the only way Iran can become democratic, or is this not a way at all? Try to cite something from his book included in the reader. 

Don't forget that you need to post by next week... 

-Amir

How Important is Iran's President?

Hey guys. Today there was quite a discussion regarding the role of Iran's President, his powers, and his relation to the Supreme Leader. It got a little heated when someone asked if it was appropriate for the media to focus so much on President Ahmadinejad since he has so few powers. I had to stop the conversation because it was taking too much class time, but as promised, you can debate the question right here. What do you guys think? You can also comment on McCain's view on the situation, which is posted below. Don't be afraid to mix it up with each other, just keep things civil.

See you next week!

-Amir

Iran-Iraq War

This week we went over the Iran-Iraq war.

You can view a gallery of photos here. You can also view the surprisingly catchy Iranian propaganda song and video here.

For this post, I am interested in hearing some of your views on many of the controversial moves on behalf of Iran and the world during the war. Once again you can answer as many of these questions as you like.

Without knowing the outcome, was the decision of Iran to counter-invade Iraq after two years the right one?

Do you feel it was right for the world, which felt threatened by Iran, to provide Iraq with both military support and chemical weapons?

How do you feel about Iran using human wave attacks, child soldiers, and human mine detectors (knowing that they helped Iran defend itself)?

In light of understanding more about the war, do you feel like you understand Iran's position (in terms of foreign policy) better?

Have a good week guys!

-Amir

Persepolis

Hey guys. I hope you liked the movie --- I saw a couple of tears in the audience. 

For this post, let me know what you thought about the film and its themes. How does it connect to some of the themes we have spoken about in class? For some of you that had little contact with Iranian culture before, what are you taking away from this film? Please no plot summary guys.

-Amir

Ahmadinejad on Larry King

Below are the three parts of Ahmadinejad's recent interview with Larry King. Watch it and comment on whatever struck you. 

-Amir

Revolution

This is a quick post that will probably elicit lengthy answers. I have two questions that I would like some of you to answer.

1. Without the benefit of hindsight, if you were an Iranian in 1979, do you believe you would have participated in the Revolution against the Shah? Why or why not?

2. Now with the benefit of hindsight, does your answer change? Why or why not?

I am interested to see what you guys think.

-Amir

Cold War and Operation Ajax

If you're interested about the beginnings of the Cold War in Iran, and want to hear a different view on operation ajax, read this article by Professor R.J. Rummel (same guy who created the term "democide") and comment on it.

-Amir

Mossadegh

To learn more about the CIA overthrow of Mossadegh, I would suggest checking out these links below.

NY Times: Secrets of History
National Security Archive: The Secret CIA history of the Iran Coup

For a posting comment, I would like you to answer any or all of these questions:

-Do you feel like you understand why Iran has acted the way it has in the last 28 years, specifically in relations to the U.S., by watching the video today?

-Do you think the U.S. was justified in taking Mossadegh out?

-Do you think Iranians share the blame for what happened to Mossadegh?

-Do you think the CIA should repeat what it did to Mossadegh to other countries, even Iran today?

Remember, the deadline for the first post is coming up.

-Amir

Fall 08 Syllabus

IRAN: 29 YEARS OF REVOLUTION- Syllabus


Course Description
This course serves as an introduction to modern Iranian politics in which no prior knowledge of Iran or the greater Middle East is required.  It follows the events leading up to the Islamic Revolution and describes the outcomes that have spiraled into the headlines of today. Key topics of discussion include the coup d'etat against Prime Minister Mossadegh (1953), the rule of Reza Shah Pahlavi, the Iranian Revolution (1979), the Iran-Iraq War (1980-1988), the Reform Movement (1997), and the recent rise of the radical movement led by Ahmadinejad (2005).  Important current events to be covered will be Iran’s nuclear program, Iran’s role in Iraq, and the Shia-Sunni divide in the Middle East.  Documentaries, films, guest lectures, participation in the class blog, and class discussions are integral parts of this decal. Class will meet once a week for two hours.

Course Coordinator        Amir Abadi - amirabadi@berkeley.edu


Course Requirements

Readings
A reader comprised of short summaries and academic articles will offer the students a background to all the topics mentioned above. Specific sources for the reader are listed in the reading list. Additional readings may be handed out in class.

Final Paper
The final paper is a 3–5 page essay.  Topics will be handed out two weeks prior to the final class meeting.

Blog Participation
You must submit a one paragraph response on the blog every four weeks during the course of the semester.  Three blog postings are required to pass the course. You can only respond to the topics offered in each 4 week period (responses to topics that are from a prior 4 week period are encouraged but will not count for a grade).  Your responses must be critical and engaging. 

 

The blog can be found at http://iran-decal.blogspot.com.

 

Grading
Final Paper (50%), Blog Participation (25%), Attendance (25%) 
NOTE: YOU MUST RECEIVE A SATISFACTORY GRADE IN ALL THREE COMPONENTS IN ORDER TO PASS THE COURSE.  YOU CANNOT MISS MORE THAN ONE CLASS MEETING WITHOUT THE INSTRUCTORS’ PRIOR APPROVAL. 
 
Schedule

Week 1:  Introduction; overview of the course

Week 2: Iran 1850-1953; The Great Game, the Constitutional Revolution, and a period of ineffectiveness

۞ Reading due: Roraback, Amanda. Iran in a Nutshell. pp. 1, 7-15

Week 3:  The coup against Dr. Mossadegh; documentary screening, The CIA and the Coup of 1953 in Iran
۞ Reading due: Roraback, Amanda. Iran in a Nutshell. pp. 19-21 

Roosevelt, Kermit. Countercoup. Forward, Ch.13.

Blum, William. Killing Hope. pp. 64-72.

Week 4:  The Shah and the Iranian Revolution; documentary screening, Iran: A Revolution Betrayed
۞ Reading due: Roraback, Amanda. Iran in a Nutshell. pp. 20-29

Pahlavi, Mohammad Reza. Answer to History. pp. 101-129, 175-179

Abrahamian, Ervand. Khomeinism. Ch. 1.

Week 5:  The Iran-Iraq War: the longest conventional war of the 20^th century
۞ Reading due: Roraback, Amanda. Iran in a Nutshell. pp. 30-32 & 62-63

Hiro, Dilip. “The Iran-Iraq War,” from Iran and the Arab World, pp. 43-67

Week 6:  Contemporary Iranian government structure: a quasi-democratic theocracy

۞ Reading due: Roraback, Amanda. Iran in a Nutshell. pp. 46-49        

Abrahamian, Ervand. Khomeinism. Epilogue. pp. 132-143

Week 7:  Rise and fall of the reformists

۞ Reading due: Roraback, Amanda. Iran in a Nutshell. pp. 36-37 

Khatami, Mohammad. Islam, Liberty, and Development. pp. 3-16. & 135-153  Amuzegar, Jahangir. "Khatami's Legacy: Dashed Hopes." Middle East Journal, Winter 2006

Parsi, Trita. Treacherous Alliance. Ch. 18

 

Week 8:  Ahmadinejad and the rise of ultra-conservatives
۞ Reading due: Roraback, Amanda. Iran in a Nutshell. pp. 37-38

Ahmadinejad's letter to Americans

 Week 9:  Iran’s nuclear standoff with the West
۞ Reading due: Roraback, Amanda. Iran in a Nutshell. pp. 50-56 

Timmerman, Kenneth. Countdown to Crisis. Ch.26

Ritter, Scott. Target Iran. Conclusion.

Week 10:  Iran’s foreign policy in the Middle East; documentary screening, Frontline: Showdown With Iran
۞ Reading due: Roraback, Amanda. Iran in a Nutshell. pp. 66-81

Nasr, Vali. The Shia Revival. Ch. 8

Klein, Joe. “Nation: Iran” Time Magazine, December 17, 2007. pp. 32-36.

Mearsheimer, John J. and Stephen M. Walt. The Israel Lobby and U.S. Foreign Policy. Ch. 10
 
Week 11:  Guest Lecture, topic of the lecture to be announced two weeks prior.
۞ Final paper topics handed out

Week 12: Student chosen topic

Week 13:  Final class meeting

۞ Final papers due

Welcome Fall 08 Students!

First class meeting on Tuesday September 2nd, at 6 PM in 160 Kroeber. This course is 2 units which are offered in two versions, 98 and 198. The course can only be taken as P/NP with the class meetings on Tuesdays 6:00- 8:00 PM in 160 Kroeber.

Show up on the first day of class for the CCN#. 

Class Picture

ISAA Movie Night will take place May 1st at 8pm in 185 Barrows.
The film will be "Mehman-e Maman."

Thanks for a great semester!

Reminder: Final papers due tomorrow

Hey guys. As the title suggests, we want to remind you that the final papers are due tomorrow. It is not to late to ask questions, so feel free to e-mail us with any. Don't forget to make all your blog postings. Good luck and we look forward to seeing you tomorrow.

-Amir

Obliterating Iran?

This is the last blog posting option. There has been a lot of talk about Iran on the campaign trail. Hillary Clinton in the last few days has made some controversial statements about Iran. Just give us your reaction to this video clip.

-Amir

Jobrani for none; Class cancelled

Hey guys. Bad news. Maz Jobrani can't make it out to Berkeley.

I sincerely apologize for letting you guys down on this. I am as disappointed as you. As a consolation, class is cancelled this Tuesday in order to give you guys some more time to work on your final papers.

If you need any help on the papers do not hesitate to e-mail either me or Keyan. I look forward to seeing you guys soon, and once again my apologies.

-Amir

Marmulak/Lizard

I hope you all enjoyed the film we screened today.

Let us know what you thought about the film and its themes. How does it connect to some of the themes we have spoken about in class? For some of you that had little contact with Iranian culture before, what are you taking away from this film? Please no plot summary guys.

Good luck on your papers and we will keep you posted on the status of Mr. Maz Jobrani.

-Amir

Final Paper Spring 08

Instructions: You must write a 3-5 page essay responding to one of the topics below. The essay must be double spaced, in 12 point Times New Roman font, with 1 inch margins. You must also have a cover page which will include your name, your student ID number, your blog screename, the number of the essay topic you are responding to, and the title of your essay. Additionally on the cover page you must also indicate which three postings you commented on in the blog (and any additional postings made to excuse absences etc…). Giving the title of the posting is enough. In order to pass this class you must complete three blog postings and this essay.

For the essays we want you to make a strong argument which you will support with evidence. Your argument must be made clear in your intro paragraph. You must also support every claim you make with a reference. (For example, you can’t just say a government is repressive without having something to back you up.) You must cite an article from the reader at least once. You may also feel free to use any outside resource you please, except wikipedia. You must include a bibliography at the end of your essay.

A hardcopy of your essay is due at the beginning of the final class session, April 29th 2008. E-mail copies will not be accepted. You may turn in the essay earlier if you please.

Topics:
1. Describe the system of concessions during the Qajar period in Iran. How did this impact the 1906 Constitutional Revolution?

2. Discuss how the U.S. government both benefited from, and was eventually repudiated for, the 1953 coup d'état against Mohammad Mossadegh. Be sure to include information regarding Cold War politics and how it legitimated the intervention.

3. Describe some of the events that contributed to the culmination of the Revolution of 1979. What inspired the Revolution? What components of the Shah’s program did people oppose?

4. “It was Iran against the world” is a statement that is constantly used to describe the Iran-Iraq war. To what extent is this true? Describe the support given to both Iran and Iraq during the war. Make sure to also discuss the controversy surrounding the Iran-Contra affair.

5. Describe the powers of the Supreme Leader. How have his actions colored the presidencies of Rafsanjani, Khatami, and Ahmadinejad?

6. Make a judgment on Ahmadinejad’s tenure as the President of Iran. What have been his accomplishments and what have been his mistakes? Be sure to discuss both his domestic and foreign agendas.

7. Should Iran be allowed to continue its nuclear program? Keep in mind Iran’s domestic needs, its stated intentions, and the possible threats the program poses.

8. Discuss the American media’s current portrayal of Iran and its government. How accurate is the portrayal? What are the consequences of this portrayal?

9. Should Iran be an Islamic Republic? Why or why not? What are the benefits and drawbacks of this form or government versus the benefits and drawbacks of other forms of government? You may suggest alternative government styles, but you must also comment on their feasibility in the Iranian context.

10. Topic of your choice. You must have this approved by us before writing your essay. Either speak to us in class or give us an e-mail.


Feel free to talk to us about your essays. We are always here to answer your questions. Good luck!

-Amir

Human Rights Abuse in Iran

Tonight we were confronted by a very sticky, yet important, issue in Iran: human rights abuses. What was said is that the Iranian government has systematically tortured, jailed and executed dissidents without due process of law in many cases. But there's much more to it than that and I don't feel like we addressed your questions sufficiently. So I feel obligated at this point to direct you to more reliable, substantive sources. Check out this coverage by the Human Rights Watch. Also, check out this short article by Amnesty International. If you're interested in writing about this for your final paper, please email us with you specific topic.

Again, I encourage ALL of you to search further in the topic of human rights in Iran. A lot is shrouded in mystery, but most of the cases cannot be denied by the Islamic Republic.

- Keyan

Iran's Nuclear Challenge

Hey Class,

This week's topic was Iran's highly-contested nuclear program. Unfortunately, we had to condense our lecture into 2 hours, so we weren't able to listen to all your questions, concerns and opinions. Now you have the opportunity express them in your comments. If needed, here are some questions to guide you:

- Dariush Zahedi said that Iran might be trying to "pre-empt a preemptive strike." Do you think this is a good idea? What are some of the consequences?

- How does the nuclear issue relate to, and shape, the national psyche?

- What are some of the domestic economic benefits? (Please assume that Iran will not invest in it's capacity to refine oil and will continue importing.)

- Lastly, how does this issue impact the delicate balance of powers in the region? What could happen if the United States (or Israel, or both) strikes Iran?

See you next week,

Keyan

President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad

Hello class. The topic for this week was, of course, President Ahmadinejad. You guys definitely have some strong opinions about him.

You will need to comment on Ahmadinejad's letter to Americans. The link to it is on the left, under the link menu.

Basically, as an American, or at least someone who currently resides here, what is your reaction to this letter? What would you like to say to him as a reply?

Be sure to come up with some issues that came up this week in lecture.

Have a good break!

-Amir

The Rise and Fall of the Reformists

This week consisted of Khatami and the reform movement in Iran. For this post, you will need to answer at least one of the following three questions:

1. Describe some of the impediments Khatami experienced during his presidency. Why did the reformists "fall," so to speak? What is it about the Iranian power structure that hindered his efforts?

2. Do you feel that the "dialogue of civilizations" is an idea that can succeed in the world we live in? Does it deviate from our Western mode of thinking? Use citations from Khatami's text, located in the reader.

3. Do you think Khatami made the right choice by not overtly supporting the student uprising of 1999? What could have been some consequences?

A Glimpse into Friday's Parliamentary Elections

Here are the voices of five Iranian voters who during the course of their interviews reveal their political preferences and are critical of the election process. The content of the interviews is related to what I was saying about ex-President Khatami and his reformist bloc during yesterday's lecture. You can still find indications of people investing confidence and hope in the reformist candidates (who have been extremely limited due to the Guardian Council's disqualifications), but are mostly skeptical about their chances of being able to implement bills that would change the system.
Let us know what you think of these interviews either through the comments section on this blog or in class on Tuesday!
The interviews can be accessed through: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/talking_point/7256509.stm
- Keyan

Iran: New parliment, new policies?

Hey guys. I'm sorry we couldn't finish the lecture today, its apparent that I talk too much.

This article is from the Economist, and it ties quite nicely into the contemporary Iranian government structure that we were talking about today. It also serves to give you guys a taste of what is to come in the future of the course.

Just read the article and give us your thoughts. You guys had some great comments this week so I trust that this will be interesting.

Good luck on midterms and see you next week.

-Amir

The Art of State Building

If you remember from Tuesday, I was quite intrigued by the short video that said "the Iran-Iraq war saved the Islamic revolution."
Now my question to you is: to what extent is this true? Your reply should contain information about Khomeini's consolidation, the acceleration of organization in the military and the surge of nationalism.
If you disagree, you might be able to substantiate your claims by mentioning some economic variables (something I discussed briefly during lecture towards the end)

See you on Tuesday!

Keyan

The Iran-Iraq War

This week we went over the Iran-Iraq war.

You can view a gallery of photos here. You can also view the surprisingly catchy Iranian propaganda song and video here.

For this post, I am interested to hear some of your views on many of the controversial moves on behalf of Iran and the world during the war. Once again you can answer as many of these questions as you like.

Without knowing the outcome, was the decision of Iran to counter-invade Iraq after two years the right one?

Do you feel it was right for the world, which felt threatened by Iran, to provide Iraq with both military support and chemical weapons?

How do you feel about Iran using human wave attacks, child soldiers, and human mine detectors (knowing that they helped Iran defend itself)?

In light of understanding more about the war, do you feel like you understand Iran's position (in terms of foreign policy) better?

Have a good week guys, keep on the lookout for more opportunities to post.

-Amir

Iran Nuclear Bid May Have Gone Past 2003

VIENNA, Austria (AP) — Iran may have continued work on nuclear weapons past 2003, the year U.S. intelligence says such activities stopped, a senior British diplomat said Monday.

Simon Smith, the chief British delegate to the International Atomic Energy Agency, commented after an IAEA presentation of documentation that — if accurate — would strongly back U.S. claims that Iran at one point worked on programs linked to attempts to make nuclear weapons.

That assertion was also made by a U.S. National Intelligence Estimate, summarized and made public late last year said. That report also said, however, that the Iranians froze such work in 2003.

Asked whether the information presented to the IAEA's 35 board member nations indicated that Tehran continued such activities past that date, Smith said: "Certainly some of the dates ... went beyond 2003."

He did not elaborate. Another diplomat at the presentation, who asked for anonymity because the IAEA meeting was closed, said some of the documentation focused on a 2004 Iranian report on alleged weapons activities. But she said it was unclear whether the project was being actively worked at then.

A senior diplomat inside the meeting said that among the material shown was an Iranian video depicting mock-ups of a missile re-entry vehicle.

He said IAEA Director General Oli Heinonen suggested the component — which brings missiles back into from the stratosphere — was configured in a way that strongly suggests it was meant to carry a nuclear warhead.

Smith and the senior diplomat both said the material shown to the board members came from a "multitude of sources," including information gathered by the agency and intelligence provided by the members themselves.

The International Atomic Energy Agency, the U.N. nuclear monitor, released a report last week saying that suspicions about most past Iranian nuclear activities had eased or been laid to rest.

But the report also noted that Iran had rejected documents that link it to missile and explosives experiments and other work connected to a possible nuclear weapons program, calling the information false and irrelevant.

The report called weaponization "the one major ... unsolved issue relevant to the nature of Iran's nuclear program."

Most of the material shown to Iran by the IAEA on alleged attempts to make nuclear arms came from Washington, though some was provided by U.S. allies, diplomats told the AP. The agency shared it with Tehran only after the nations gave their permission.

**What does this mean to us? Will it have an impact on policy? Please post your replies.

- Keyan

Revolution

This is a quick post that will probably elicit lengthy answers. I have two questions that I would like some of you to answer.

1. Without the benefit of hindsight, if you were an Iranian in 1979, do you believe you would have participated in the Revolution against the Shah? Why or why not?

2. Now with the benefit of hindsight, does your answer change? Why or why not?

I am interested to see what you guys think.

-Amir

Resistance to the Shah

You were supposed to have read this article by Maziar Behrooz for today's class lecture. It analyzes the guerilla movements in Iran during the 1960s and 70s. A couple of questions to contemplate:

- How important was the role of the guerillas in creating resistance to the Shah's rule?

- To what extent were they successful? What were their mistakes?
Please reply to this entry with your thoughts.

- Keyan

Cold War and Iran

If you're interested about the beginnings of the Cold War in Iran, and want to hear a different view on operation ajax, read this article by Professor R.J. Rummel (same guy who created the term "democide") and comment on it.

-Amir

Mossadegh

To learn more about the CIA overthrow of Mossadegh, I would suggest checking out these links below.

NY Times: Secrets of History
National Security Archive: The Secret CIA history of the Iran Coup

For a posting comment, I would like you to answer any or all of these questions:

-Do you feel like you understand why Iran has acted the way it has in the last 28 years, specifically in relations to the U.S., by watching the video today?

-Do you think the U.S. was justified in taking Mossadegh out?

-Do you think Iranians share the blame for what happened to Mossadegh?

-Do you think the CIA should repeat what it did to Mossadegh to other countries, even Iran today?

Remember, the deadline for the first post is coming up this Tuesday. Enjoy the rest of your break!

-Amir

Khomeini grandson returns to poll -- BBC reports

The grandson of Iran's late revolutionary leader Ayatollah Khomeini has been reinstated as a candidate in the country's parliamentary elections.

Ruhollah Khomeini's grandson Ali Eshraghi, 39, said last week he had been disqualified after officials questioned his neighbours about him.

Candidates are vetted to check loyalty to Iran's Islamic revolutionary system. The main vetting body said it had reinstated 280 out of more than 2,200 mainly reformist banned candidates.

Altogether 7,168 candidates have been registered to stand.

Iranian media published the names of the candidates, following the Guardians Council's decision on Tuesday.

But correspondents say many prominent reformists remain disqualified, and officials have hinted that more candidates could be excluded.

The vetting process will continue for several weeks and the final list of approved candidates will be announced on 5 March, with the vote held on 14 March.

Reformists were defeated in 2004 after hundreds of such disqualifications.

The council, a hardline unelected body, has the final say over who can stand.

Ayatollah Khomeini, who died in 1989, became Iran's first Supreme Leader after the 1979 Islamic revolution and instituted the current clerically-led system.

Khomeini's Grandson Disqualified From Majlis Elections

TEHRAN (AFP)--The Iranian authorities have disqualified the grandson of late revolutionary leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini from standing in parliamentary elections, the press reported Wednesday.

Ali Eshraghi, was one of more than 2,000 mainly reformist candidates vetoed by an interior ministry committee for failing to adhere to the constitution's strict rules for candidates in the first phase of vetting.

Eshraghi, the son of Khomeini's son-in-law Ayatollah Shahaboddin Eshraghi, said he was closer to reformists than to other Iranian factions.

He said he had been disqualified after the authorities asked his neighbors detailed questions about his life during their investigations. He said he had been informed of the decision by letter.

"This does not benefit the system and the expansion of democracy. This narrow- mindedness does not suit the Islamic Republic of Iran," Eshraghi told the moderate daily Kargozaran.

"Some of the neighbors told me that inspectors from the supervisory committee asked them about my private life," Eshraghi complained. "I was shocked to discover that the questions tackled whether I prayed daily, if I fasted, if I wore a suit, if I shaved, and if I smoked and what kind of car I drove.

"And then the inspectors would ask the neighbors if they knew that I was the imam's (Khomeini's) grandson and the neighbors would say, 'Well, if you know, then why did you ask?'

"I did not lodge a complaint against the decision and I accepted it as it was, " he said. "If the credentials of the imam's grandson are not validated who should I complain to?"

Eshraghi said he had informed supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei of his candidacy and had even held a one hour discussion with President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

He said it had also been approved by Hassan Khomeini, another grandson of the revolutionary leader who oversees the literary legacy of Khomeini.

In order to pass the vetting process, candidates must meet a host of criteria, one of which is sufficient loyalty to the system of clerical leadership of Iran put in place by Khomeini. The final say over who can stand in the election lies with the hardline unelected vetting body, the Guardians' Council.

Ahead of the last elections in 2004, the Guardians' Council banned more than 2,000 candidates, leading the way for the conservatives to seize control of parliament from the reformists.

(from Nasdaq.com)

The Shia/Sunni Divide Revisited

I found a great, simple description that synthesizes what Amir and I said last night in our lecture:

"Schisms appeared in Islam shortly after Muhammad's death. His followers elected a successor (Arabic Khalifa or Caliph), but violent factional disputes soon arose between them. The fourth Caliph, the Prophet's son-in-law Ali, was forced to abdicate and later murdered. This gave rise to the principal division within Islam--the majority of Sunnis, who accepts the orthodox Caliphs, and the minority of Shias, who believe that Ali was the true successor to Muhammad. Iran today is the principal Muslim country in which Shia Islam is the religion of the state."
(from Peter Mansfield, "the Ottoman Empire and Its Successors")

Hope this helps.

-KK

*This posting is not for comment*

Spring Syllabus

Welcome to the Class! I hope you guys enjoyed the first day of lecture. Don't forget to sign up on telebears and pick up a reader from Copy Central. Heres to a good semester! -Amir

IRAN: 28 YEARS OF REVOLUTION- Syllabus

Course Description

This course serves as an introduction to modern Iranian politics in which no prior knowledge of Iran or the greater Middle East is required. It follows the events leading up to the Islamic Revolution and describes the outcomes that have spiraled into the headlines of today. Key topics of discussion include the coup d'etat against Prime Minister Mossadegh (1953), the rule of Reza Shah Pahlavi, the Iranian Revolution (1979), the Iran-Iraq War (1980-1988), the Reform Movement (1997), and the recent rise of the radical movement led by Ahmadinejad (2005). Important current events to be covered will be Iran’s nuclear program, Iran’s role in Iraq, and the Shia-Sunni divide in the Middle East. Documentaries, films, guest lectures, participation in the class blog, and class discussions are integral parts of this decal. Class will meet once a week for two hours.

Course Coordinators
Amir Abadi - amirabadi@berkeley.edu
Keyan Keihani - keihani@berkeley.edu

Course Requirements

Readings
A reader comprised of short summaries and academic articles will offer the students a background to all the topics mentioned above. Specific sources for the reader are listed in the reading list. Additional readings may be handed out in class.

Final Paper
The final paper is a 3–5 page essay. Topics will be handed out two weeks prior to the final class meeting.

Blog Participation
You must submit a one paragraph response on the blog every four weeks during the course of the semester. Three blog postings are required to pass the course. You can only respond to the topics offered in each 4 week period (responses to topics that are from a prior 4 week period are encouraged but will not count for a grade). Your responses must be critical and engaging.

The blog can be found at http://iran-decal.blogspot.com/.

Grading
Final Paper (50%), Blog Participation (25%), Attendance (25%) NOTE: YOU MUST RECEIVE A SATISFACTORY GRADE IN ALL THREE COMPONENTS IN ORDER TO PASS THE COURSE. YOU CANNOT MISS MORE THAN ONE CLASS MEETING WITHOUT THE INSTRUCTORS’ PRIOR APPROVAL.

Schedule
Week 1: Introduction; overview of the course

Week 2: Iran 1850-1953; The Great Game, the Constitutional Revolution, and a period of ineffectiveness
۞ Reading due: Roraback, Amanda. Iran in a Nutshell. pp. 1, 7-15

Week 3: The coup against Dr. Mossadegh; documentary screening, The CIA and the Coup of 1953 in Iran
۞ Reading due: Roraback, Amanda. Iran in a Nutshell. pp. 19-21
Roosevelt, Kermit. Countercoup. Forward, Ch.13.
Blum, William. Killing Hope. pp. 64-72.

Week 4: The Shah and the Iranian Revolution; documentary screening, Iran: A Revolution Betrayed
۞ Reading due: Roraback, Amanda. Iran in a Nutshell. pp. 20-29
Pahlavi, Mohammad Reza. Answer to History. pp. 101-129, 175-179
Abrahamian, Ervand. Khomeinism. Ch. 1.
Behrooz, Maziar. “Iranian Revolution and the Legacy of the Guerrilla Movement” http://www.iranian.com/Behrooz/2004/September/Left/index.html

Week 5: The Iran-Iraq War: the longest conventional war of the century
۞ Reading due: Roraback, Amanda. Iran in a Nutshell. pp. 30-32 & 62-63
Hiro, Dilip. “The Iran-Iraq War,” from Iran and the Arab World, pp. 43-67

Week 6: Contemporary Iranian government structure: a quasi-democratic theocracy
۞ Reading due: Roraback, Amanda. Iran in a Nutshell. pp. 46-49
Abrahamian, Ervand. Khomeinism. Epilogue. pp. 132-143

Week 7: Rise of the reformists
۞ Reading due: Roraback, Amanda. Iran in a Nutshell. pp. 36-37
Khatami, Mohammad. Islam, Liberty, and Development. pp. 3-16. & 135-153 Amuzegar, Jahangir. "Khatami's Legacy: Dashed Hopes." Middle East Journal, Winter 2006

Week 8: Ahmadinejad and the rise of ultra-conservatives
۞ Reading due: Roraback, Amanda. Iran in a Nutshell. pp. 37-38
Ahmadinejad's letter to President Bush (link on blog)

Week 9: Iran’s nuclear standoff with the West
۞ Reading due: Roraback, Amanda. Iran in a Nutshell. pp. 50-56
Timmerman, Kenneth. Countdown to Crisis. Ch.26
Ritter, Scott. Target Iran. Conclusion.

Week 10: Iran’s foreign policy in the Middle East; documentary screening, Frontline: Showdown With Iran
۞ Reading due: Roraback, Amanda. Iran in a Nutshell. pp. 66-81
Nasr, Vali. The Shia Revival. Ch. 8
Klein, Joe. “Nation: Iran” Time Magazine, December 17, 2007. pp. 32-36.

Week 11: Guest Lecture, topic of the lecture to be announced two weeks prior.
۞ Final paper topics handed out

Week 12: Student chosen topic

Week 13: Final class meeting
۞ Final papers due

Welcome Spring 08 Students!

First class meeting on Tuesday January 29th, at 6 PM in 2 Le Conte.

This course is 2 units which are offered in two versions, 98 and 198. The course can only be taken as P/NP with the class meetings on Tuesdays 6:00- 8:00 PM in 2 Le Conte.

If you have 59 units or less of coursework completed sign up for PS98 with ccn 72440. If you have 60 units or more, sign up for PS198 with ccn 72443. Everyone should sign up for 2 units.

If you sign up on telebears, but do not appear on the first day of class, you will be dropped.

We look foward to seeing you in class!