In The News

Iranians Turn Off State TV After Soap Is Dropped

Najmeh Bozorgmehr October 20, 2010
Iran’s state television network refused to air a television program with a political theme – about an incompetent regime that refuses to admit its errors and bans them from history books. The show starred one of the country’s beloved actors, and the leading director effectively created a “private channel,” by aggressively promoting a DVD version with banners and word of mouth. State television,...

With Talks Stalemated, Demographics Define Israeli-Palestinian Future

Joseph Chamie October 6, 2010
The basic components for an Israeli-Palestinian peace agreement are clear. Factions blocking the terms assume that, by holding out, the other side will give up and go away. They stubbornly overlook how ongoing demographic trends could create a new political reality. “Differential rates of population growth already redefine the relative demographic standing of Arab-Israelis, Jewish-Israelis and...

Iran’s Global Ambitions – Part III

Bruce Stokes September 17, 2010
The UN Security Council has imposed a series of sanctions on Iran for failing to cooperate with the International Atomic Energy Agency. Iran insists it complies with the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. In the third and final article of this YaleGlobal series on Iran’s ambitions, Bruce Stokes reports on a survey in 22 nations by the German Marshall Fund, including questions on Iran. Majorities...

Iran’s Global Ambitions – Part II

Willem van Kemenade September 15, 2010
Holding the third largest oil reserves in the world, Iran is an attractive trade partner, giving it an edge in the world economy. This YaleGlobal series examines Iran’s big power ambitions and its ability to divide the international community to achieve its goal. As Iran rejects demands to end high level enriching nuclear fuel, the UN Security Council in June approved a fourth round of sanctions...

Iran’s Global Ambitions – Part I

Jamsheed K. Choksy September 13, 2010
Iran has pursued global influence while the US busied itself with war east and west of the nation. This YaleGlobal series suggests that, in a global game of chess, Iran is no pawn. As major powers impose sanctions for violation of its non-proliferation commitment, Iranian leaders cultivate ties with developing nations, explains Jamsheed Choksy in the first of three articles. Messages drawing on...

Why Do Terrorists Blow Themselves Up?

Riaz Hassan September 9, 2010
Nine years after the September 11 attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, the world shares a perception that suicide attacks are unusual acts committed by the poor, the psychologically impaired, the morally deficient, the uneducated or the religious fanatics. Yet analysis of more than 1500 suicide attacks between 1981 and 2008 by author Riaz Hassan reveals far more complex motivations...

Petraeus Condemns US Church's Plan to Burn Korans

Julian E. Barnes, Matthew Rosenberg September 7, 2010
If one needed an example of the world’s interconnectedness and the internet’s ability to empower individuals, the story of a tiny church in Florida will do. The church’s plans to burn Korans on the anniversary of the September 11th attacks captured the world’s attention and, most surprisingly, that of the US commander of international forces in Afghanistan. US military leaders typically refrain...