3:31
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[18 June 13] Syria unrest likely to trigger regional war: Mark Mason - English
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad says European countries will \"pay the price\" if they send weapons to foreign-backed militants in the Arab country. Assad also rejected US, British and...
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad says European countries will \"pay the price\" if they send weapons to foreign-backed militants in the Arab country. Assad also rejected US, British and French claims that Syrian forces had used chemical weapons against the foreign-backed militants fighting in the country.
Syria\'s deputy foreign minister, Faisal Muqdad, also criticized discussions by Western countries on arming Syria militants saying they are \"incitement to murder and unacceptable on a human and moral level.\"
The comments came after US President Barack Obama ordered his administration last week to provide militants in Syria with weapons, claiming that the Syrian government had crossed Washington\'s \"red line\" for using chemical weapons against the militants.
Press TV has conducted an interview with Mark Mason, political commentator, about the situation in Syria.
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Syrian President Bashar al-Assad says European countries will \"pay the price\" if they send weapons to foreign-backed militants in the Arab country. Assad also rejected US, British and French claims that Syrian forces had used chemical weapons against the foreign-backed militants fighting in the country.
Syria\'s deputy foreign minister, Faisal Muqdad, also criticized discussions by Western countries on arming Syria militants saying they are \"incitement to murder and unacceptable on a human and moral level.\"
The comments came after US President Barack Obama ordered his administration last week to provide militants in Syria with weapons, claiming that the Syrian government had crossed Washington\'s \"red line\" for using chemical weapons against the militants.
Press TV has conducted an interview with Mark Mason, political commentator, about the situation in Syria.
4:25
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[18 June 13] US welcome Taliban-s office opening in Qatar - English
The United States welcomes the opening of a Taliban office in Qatar, saying the first direct talks with the militant groups could take place within days.
The United States welcomes the opening of a Taliban office in Qatar, saying the first direct talks with the militant groups could take place within days.
2:15
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[18 June 13] Egyptian governors reshuffle sparks criticism - English
President Mohamed Morsi has appointed new governors for 17 provinces in the country. Seven of the new governors are members of the Muslim Brotherhood. Army and police officials are also among the...
President Mohamed Morsi has appointed new governors for 17 provinces in the country. Seven of the new governors are members of the Muslim Brotherhood. Army and police officials are also among the new appointees. Yet, the move has sparked criticism across the country ahead of the June thirtieth anniversary of Morsi\'s taking office.
Opposition figure Amr Moussa and member of the National Salvation Front has heavily slammed the appointments saying that they further add to the tensions prior to the planned June 30th protests.
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President Mohamed Morsi has appointed new governors for 17 provinces in the country. Seven of the new governors are members of the Muslim Brotherhood. Army and police officials are also among the new appointees. Yet, the move has sparked criticism across the country ahead of the June thirtieth anniversary of Morsi\'s taking office.
Opposition figure Amr Moussa and member of the National Salvation Front has heavily slammed the appointments saying that they further add to the tensions prior to the planned June 30th protests.
4:24
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[19 June 13] Pakistan serious about ending drone hits - English
Press TV has conducted an interview with Liaghat Ali Khan, professor at Washburn University, about the Pakistani government saying it is seeking a way to put an end to US assassination drone strikes.
Press TV has conducted an interview with Liaghat Ali Khan, professor at Washburn University, about the Pakistani government saying it is seeking a way to put an end to US assassination drone strikes.
5:18
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[20 June 13] israel seeks continued war in Syria - English
Press TV has conducted an interview Saeb Shaath, author and Middle East expert in Belfast, about the issue of US president Obama\\\'s declaration to escalate the war in Syria by arming militant...
Press TV has conducted an interview Saeb Shaath, author and Middle East expert in Belfast, about the issue of US president Obama\\\'s declaration to escalate the war in Syria by arming militant elements and the confirmation statement by Shimon Peres saying the US has no other choice.
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Description:
Press TV has conducted an interview Saeb Shaath, author and Middle East expert in Belfast, about the issue of US president Obama\\\'s declaration to escalate the war in Syria by arming militant elements and the confirmation statement by Shimon Peres saying the US has no other choice.
3:53
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[21 June 13] israel using Palestinian kids as shield, nothing new - English
A United Nations human rights body has criticized the Tel Aviv regime for torturing Palestinian children, saying the Israeli military frequently uses them as human shields in its operations.
The...
A United Nations human rights body has criticized the Tel Aviv regime for torturing Palestinian children, saying the Israeli military frequently uses them as human shields in its operations.
The UN Committee on the Rights of the Child said on Thursday Palestinian children in the occupied West Bank and blockaded Gaza Strip are normally not allowed to have their birth registered, and are denied access to health care, decent schooling as well as safe drinking water. The UN report also stated that an estimated 7,000 Palestinian children aged 12 to 17, but some as young as nine, have been arrested, interrogated and detained over the past ten years.
Press TV has conducted an interview with Paul Larudee, from the Free Palestine Movement, about this issue.
More...
Description:
A United Nations human rights body has criticized the Tel Aviv regime for torturing Palestinian children, saying the Israeli military frequently uses them as human shields in its operations.
The UN Committee on the Rights of the Child said on Thursday Palestinian children in the occupied West Bank and blockaded Gaza Strip are normally not allowed to have their birth registered, and are denied access to health care, decent schooling as well as safe drinking water. The UN report also stated that an estimated 7,000 Palestinian children aged 12 to 17, but some as young as nine, have been arrested, interrogated and detained over the past ten years.
Press TV has conducted an interview with Paul Larudee, from the Free Palestine Movement, about this issue.
2:04
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[25 June 13] EU Commission responds to media restrictions on Iran - English
Despite the European Commission saying that U.S sanctions do not apply to media, the Luxembourg based satellite operator, Intelsat, is moving ahead with its plans to shut down Iranian media...
Despite the European Commission saying that U.S sanctions do not apply to media, the Luxembourg based satellite operator, Intelsat, is moving ahead with its plans to shut down Iranian media channels, including PressTV, at the end of this week. We raised the issue with EU officials.
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Description:
Despite the European Commission saying that U.S sanctions do not apply to media, the Luxembourg based satellite operator, Intelsat, is moving ahead with its plans to shut down Iranian media channels, including PressTV, at the end of this week. We raised the issue with EU officials.
3:01
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[28 June 13] West shifting mood over Syria issue - English
German Chancellor Angela Merkel has warned against supplying arms to the militants in Syria, saying the risks of the move are too high.
Press TV has conducted an interview with James Jatras,...
German Chancellor Angela Merkel has warned against supplying arms to the militants in Syria, saying the risks of the move are too high.
Press TV has conducted an interview with James Jatras, former US Senate Foreign Policy analyst in Washington, about a warning by the German chancellor against supplying weapons to Takfiris in Syria.
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Description:
German Chancellor Angela Merkel has warned against supplying arms to the militants in Syria, saying the risks of the move are too high.
Press TV has conducted an interview with James Jatras, former US Senate Foreign Policy analyst in Washington, about a warning by the German chancellor against supplying weapons to Takfiris in Syria.
2:46
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[01 July 13] Protesters welcome Obama in Johannesburg - English
People in South Africa have protested against a visit by US President Barack Obama to their country. Protesters denounced Obama\\\'s foreign policy among other things, saying the African continent...
People in South Africa have protested against a visit by US President Barack Obama to their country. Protesters denounced Obama\\\'s foreign policy among other things, saying the African continent wants \\\"African solutions for African problems\\\". Obama departs for Tanzania on Monday after a three-day visit to South Africa.
Press TV\\\'s Hassen Seria reports from Cape Town.
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Description:
People in South Africa have protested against a visit by US President Barack Obama to their country. Protesters denounced Obama\\\'s foreign policy among other things, saying the African continent wants \\\"African solutions for African problems\\\". Obama departs for Tanzania on Monday after a three-day visit to South Africa.
Press TV\\\'s Hassen Seria reports from Cape Town.
4:31
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[10 July 13] US judge can stop Gitmo force-feeding - English
Press TV has conducted an interview with Alfred Lambermont Webre, international lawyer, about a US federal judge saying she has no authority to stop force-feeding of hunger strikers at the infamous...
Press TV has conducted an interview with Alfred Lambermont Webre, international lawyer, about a US federal judge saying she has no authority to stop force-feeding of hunger strikers at the infamous US-run Guantanamo Bay prison.
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Description:
Press TV has conducted an interview with Alfred Lambermont Webre, international lawyer, about a US federal judge saying she has no authority to stop force-feeding of hunger strikers at the infamous US-run Guantanamo Bay prison.
3:41
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[17 July 13] Syria neighbors suffer refugee crisis - English
Press TV has conducted an interview with Naser al-Omari, writer and political commentator, about the UN saying the refugee crisis resulting from the Syrian conflict is the worst since the 1994...
Press TV has conducted an interview with Naser al-Omari, writer and political commentator, about the UN saying the refugee crisis resulting from the Syrian conflict is the worst since the 1994 genocide in Rwanda.
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Description:
Press TV has conducted an interview with Naser al-Omari, writer and political commentator, about the UN saying the refugee crisis resulting from the Syrian conflict is the worst since the 1994 genocide in Rwanda.
2:11
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[19 July 13] Russian court convicts opposition leader - English
Russia\'s Leading opposition leader is sentenced to five years in prison - a punishment that is set to turn Aleksei Navalny who recently declared his candidacy for mayor of Moscow, from an...
Russia\'s Leading opposition leader is sentenced to five years in prison - a punishment that is set to turn Aleksei Navalny who recently declared his candidacy for mayor of Moscow, from an opposition activist to a political dissident and prisoner. Navalny denies the charges, saying the case is politically motivated.
After the guilty verdict many took to the streets. In Moscow, even before the sentence was announced, supporters and the police began to gather at Manezh Square near the Kremlin where backers of Navalny had planned to hold an unsanctioned rally.
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Description:
Russia\'s Leading opposition leader is sentenced to five years in prison - a punishment that is set to turn Aleksei Navalny who recently declared his candidacy for mayor of Moscow, from an opposition activist to a political dissident and prisoner. Navalny denies the charges, saying the case is politically motivated.
After the guilty verdict many took to the streets. In Moscow, even before the sentence was announced, supporters and the police began to gather at Manezh Square near the Kremlin where backers of Navalny had planned to hold an unsanctioned rally.
20:12
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[19 July 13] Afghan asylum seekers - English
An economic crisis, lack of development and insecurity in Afghanistan is forcing thousands of Afghan to leave their country in search of a better place. Many of them take off whenever they get a...
An economic crisis, lack of development and insecurity in Afghanistan is forcing thousands of Afghan to leave their country in search of a better place. Many of them take off whenever they get a chance, saying they have no hope things will get any better in their country any time soon.
British politicians are being urged to combat the scourge of food poverty after a leading charity warned that the sharp rise in families using emergency food parcels hints at problems to come. The use of food banks in the UK tripled over the past year - a worrying sign of families forced to choose between some of the basic necessities of life in one of the world\'s most developed countries in the world.
The Islamic Revolution in Iran changed the face of Islamic politics inspiring many countries to implement Islamic rule. The revolution had a face remembered by all to date; Imam Khomeini.
More...
Description:
An economic crisis, lack of development and insecurity in Afghanistan is forcing thousands of Afghan to leave their country in search of a better place. Many of them take off whenever they get a chance, saying they have no hope things will get any better in their country any time soon.
British politicians are being urged to combat the scourge of food poverty after a leading charity warned that the sharp rise in families using emergency food parcels hints at problems to come. The use of food banks in the UK tripled over the past year - a worrying sign of families forced to choose between some of the basic necessities of life in one of the world\'s most developed countries in the world.
The Islamic Revolution in Iran changed the face of Islamic politics inspiring many countries to implement Islamic rule. The revolution had a face remembered by all to date; Imam Khomeini.
3:24
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[19 July 13] Detroit will not see any improvements soon: Mike Gravel - English
Press TV has conducted an interview with Mike Gravel, former US Senator, about officials of Detroit city in Michigan saying they have decided to file for bankruptcy protection.
Press TV has conducted an interview with Mike Gravel, former US Senator, about officials of Detroit city in Michigan saying they have decided to file for bankruptcy protection.
0:59
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[28 August 13] War on Syria catastrophic for ME, harmful to US - English
Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei says US intervention in Syria would be catastrophic for the Middle East and extremely harmful to US regional interests.
Speaking...
Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei says US intervention in Syria would be catastrophic for the Middle East and extremely harmful to US regional interests.
Speaking in a meeting with President Hassan Rouhani and his Cabinet members in Tehran on Wednesday, Ayatollah Khamenei said the Americans would incur losses similar to what they sustained in Iraq and Afghanistan, if they decided to take military action against Syria.
�The intervention by transregional and foreign powers in a country will have no result other than kindling the flames [of war] and will increase the hatred of nations for them,� the Leader pointed out.
�Such warmongering is like a spark in a gunpowder depot whose true dimensions and consequences cannot be estimated,� Ayatollah Khamenei added.
Elsewhere in his remarks, the Leader pointed to the ongoing situation in Egypt, noting that the Islamic Republic cannot turn a blind eye to the massacre of the Egyptian people.
�We are in no way interested in meddling in the internal affairs of Egypt, but we also cannot close our eyes to the massacre of Egyptians.... We condemn the massacre of Egyptian people who were not armed,� the Leader said.
Ayatollah Khamenei further emphasized that the Islamic Republic of Iran condemns the perpetrators of such a massacre no matter who they are.
�Civil war must be seriously avoided in Egypt because a civil war in Egypt would be a catastrophe for the Muslim world and the region,� the Leader stated.
Ayatollah Khamenei stressed the importance of restoration of �democracy and the popular vote in Egypt,� saying that the democratization process in the North African country is unstoppable.
More...
Description:
Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei says US intervention in Syria would be catastrophic for the Middle East and extremely harmful to US regional interests.
Speaking in a meeting with President Hassan Rouhani and his Cabinet members in Tehran on Wednesday, Ayatollah Khamenei said the Americans would incur losses similar to what they sustained in Iraq and Afghanistan, if they decided to take military action against Syria.
�The intervention by transregional and foreign powers in a country will have no result other than kindling the flames [of war] and will increase the hatred of nations for them,� the Leader pointed out.
�Such warmongering is like a spark in a gunpowder depot whose true dimensions and consequences cannot be estimated,� Ayatollah Khamenei added.
Elsewhere in his remarks, the Leader pointed to the ongoing situation in Egypt, noting that the Islamic Republic cannot turn a blind eye to the massacre of the Egyptian people.
�We are in no way interested in meddling in the internal affairs of Egypt, but we also cannot close our eyes to the massacre of Egyptians.... We condemn the massacre of Egyptian people who were not armed,� the Leader said.
Ayatollah Khamenei further emphasized that the Islamic Republic of Iran condemns the perpetrators of such a massacre no matter who they are.
�Civil war must be seriously avoided in Egypt because a civil war in Egypt would be a catastrophe for the Muslim world and the region,� the Leader stated.
Ayatollah Khamenei stressed the importance of restoration of �democracy and the popular vote in Egypt,� saying that the democratization process in the North African country is unstoppable.
6:22
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49:52
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4:02
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Did Obama Lie about FATWA?? - Nuke Free World By Rehbar - English & Persian
DID OBAMA LIE ?????
September 30, 2013 – At his press briefing last Friday, Barack Obama practically ran to the podium to announce his “historic” phone call to Iran and to proclaim that the...
DID OBAMA LIE ?????
September 30, 2013 – At his press briefing last Friday, Barack Obama practically ran to the podium to announce his “historic” phone call to Iran and to proclaim that the Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei had issued a “fatwa” against nuclear arms.
The media salivated at the courageous, bold initiative by the president to negotiate with Iran and to obtain such a stunning diplomatic commitment. It sounded like the foreign policy coup of the century. And to think, all it took was a phone call. Not only that, it happened just days before Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was scheduled to meet with Obama about the situation in Iran
September 30, 2013 – At his press briefing last Friday, Barack Obama practically ran to the podium to announce his “historic” phone call to Iran and to proclaim that the Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei had issued a “fatwa” against nuclear arms.
The media salivated at the courageous, bold initiative by the president to negotiate with Iran and to obtain such a stunning diplomatic commitment. It sounded like the foreign policy coup of the century. And to think, all it took was a phone call. Not only that, it happened just days before Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was scheduled to meet with Obama about the situation in Iran
Reading Obama’s Iran speech
President Barack Obama addresses the 68th session of the United Nations General Assembly, Tuesday, September 24, 2013
President Barack Obama addresses the 68th session of the United Nations General Assembly, Tuesday, September 24, 2013
Thu Sep 26, 2013 7:10PM GMT
2
Phyllis Bennis, The Nation
Related Interviews:
‘Rouhani’s remarks in US, conciliatory’
\\\\\\\'Rouhani speech, perfectly appropriate\\\\\\\'
Related Viewpoints:
Ziocons fume over Rouhani UN speech
All of a sudden we’re talking to Iran. Now, granted, that shouldn’t be such an astonishing bombshell. But given the reality of the last several decades, it pretty much is. And that’s all good. It’s been too long coming, it’s still too hesitant, there’s still too much hinting about military force behind it… but we’re talking. Foreign minister to foreign minister, Kerry to Zarif, it’s all a good sign.
There were lots of problem areas in the speech-President Obama was right when he said that US policy in the Middle East would lead to charges of “hypocrisy and inconsistency.” US policy-its protection of Israeli violations of international law, its privileging of petro-monarchies over human rights, its coddling of military dictators-remains rank with hypocrisy and inconsistency. And Obama’s speech reflected much of it.
But President Obama’s speech at the United Nations General Assembly reflected some of the extraordinary shifts in global-especially Middle East and most especially Syria-related-politics that have taken shape in the last six or eight weeks. And on Iran, that was good news. Yes the president trotted out his familiar litany that “we are determined to prevent Iran from developing a nuclear weapon.” But this time, there was no “all options on the table” threat. He added explicitly that “we are not seeking regime change and we respect the right of the Iranian people to access peaceful nuclear energy.” The reference to Iran’s right to nuclear energy represented a major shift away from the longstanding claim among many US hawks and the Israeli government that Iran must give up all nuclear enrichment.
Respecting Iran’s right to “access” nuclear energy is still a bit of a dodge, of course-Article IV of the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) recognizes not just access but “the inalienable right of all the Parties to the Treaty to develop research, production and use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes without discrimination.” Iran is a longstanding signatory to the NPT, and is entitled to all those rights. Obama referred only that “we insist that the Iranian government meet its responsibilities” under the NPT, while saying nothing about Iran’s rights under the treaty. But the high visibility US recognition of any Iranian right to nuclear power-in the context of a new willingness to open talks-is still enormously important.
It was also important that President Obama spoke of Iran with respect, acknowledging Iranian interests and opinions as legitimate and parallel to Washington’s. He recognized that Iranian mistrust of the United States has “deep roots,” referencing (however carefully) the “history of US interference in their affairs and of America’s role in overthrowing an Iranian government during the Cold War.” In fact, his identification of the 1953 US-backed coup that overthrew Iran’s democratically elected Prime Minister Mohamed Mossadegh as a product of the Cold War may have been part of an effort to distance himself and his administration from those actions. (It’s a bit disingenuous, of course. The primary rationale for the coup was far more a response to Mossadegh’s nationalization of Iran’s oil than to his ties to the Soviet Union.)
Obama also paid new attention to longstanding Iranian positions. He noted that “the Supreme Leader has issued a fatwa against the development of nuclear weapons, and President Rouhani has just recently reiterated that the Islamic Republic will never develop a nuclear weapon.” Now anyone following the Iran nuclear issue knows that the Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, stated at least as far back as 2003 that nuclear weapons are a violation of Islamic law and Iran would never build or use one, and the fatwa, or legal opinion, was issued at least as far back as 2005. This isn’t new. But for President Obama to mention those judgments in the context of “the basis for a meaningful agreement” is indeed new.
Mainstream US press and officials have long derided those statements, claiming that fatwas are not binding, that 700-year-old religious laws can’t have a position on nuclear weapons, etc. But in so doing they ignore the real significance-that President Rouhani, the Supreme Leader and the rest of Iran’s government have to answer to their own population too. After years of repeating that nuclear weapons would be un-Islamic, would violate a fatwa, etc., it would not be so easy for Iran’s leaders to win popular support for a decision to embrace the bomb.
There is a long way to go in challenging aspects of President Obama’s speech at the United Nations-his embrace of American exceptionalism and his recommitment to a failed approach to Palestinian-Israeli negotiations, his view that war and violence can only be answered by military force or nothing, and more. He didn’t explicitly state a willingness to accept Iran’s participation in international talks on Syria. There is a serious danger that any move towards rapprochement with Iran would be matched with moves to pacify Israeli demands-almost certainly at the expense of Palestinian rights.
But in the broader scenario of US-Iran relations, this is a moment to move forward, to welcome the new approach in Washington now answering the new approach of Tehran.
More flexibility will be required than the United States is usually known for. The usual opponents-in Congress, in Israel and the pro-Israel lobbies-are already on the move, challenging the new opening. But these last weeks showed how a quickly organized demonstration of widespread public opinion, demanding negotiations instead of war, can win. We were able to build a movement fast, agile and powerful enough to reverse an imminent military attack on Syria and instead force a move towards diplomatic solutions to end the war. This time around, the demand to deepen, consolidate and not abandon diplomatic possibilities is on our agenda-and perhaps once again we can
More...
Description:
DID OBAMA LIE ?????
September 30, 2013 – At his press briefing last Friday, Barack Obama practically ran to the podium to announce his “historic” phone call to Iran and to proclaim that the Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei had issued a “fatwa” against nuclear arms.
The media salivated at the courageous, bold initiative by the president to negotiate with Iran and to obtain such a stunning diplomatic commitment. It sounded like the foreign policy coup of the century. And to think, all it took was a phone call. Not only that, it happened just days before Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was scheduled to meet with Obama about the situation in Iran
September 30, 2013 – At his press briefing last Friday, Barack Obama practically ran to the podium to announce his “historic” phone call to Iran and to proclaim that the Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei had issued a “fatwa” against nuclear arms.
The media salivated at the courageous, bold initiative by the president to negotiate with Iran and to obtain such a stunning diplomatic commitment. It sounded like the foreign policy coup of the century. And to think, all it took was a phone call. Not only that, it happened just days before Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was scheduled to meet with Obama about the situation in Iran
Reading Obama’s Iran speech
President Barack Obama addresses the 68th session of the United Nations General Assembly, Tuesday, September 24, 2013
President Barack Obama addresses the 68th session of the United Nations General Assembly, Tuesday, September 24, 2013
Thu Sep 26, 2013 7:10PM GMT
2
Phyllis Bennis, The Nation
Related Interviews:
‘Rouhani’s remarks in US, conciliatory’
\\\\\\\'Rouhani speech, perfectly appropriate\\\\\\\'
Related Viewpoints:
Ziocons fume over Rouhani UN speech
All of a sudden we’re talking to Iran. Now, granted, that shouldn’t be such an astonishing bombshell. But given the reality of the last several decades, it pretty much is. And that’s all good. It’s been too long coming, it’s still too hesitant, there’s still too much hinting about military force behind it… but we’re talking. Foreign minister to foreign minister, Kerry to Zarif, it’s all a good sign.
There were lots of problem areas in the speech-President Obama was right when he said that US policy in the Middle East would lead to charges of “hypocrisy and inconsistency.” US policy-its protection of Israeli violations of international law, its privileging of petro-monarchies over human rights, its coddling of military dictators-remains rank with hypocrisy and inconsistency. And Obama’s speech reflected much of it.
But President Obama’s speech at the United Nations General Assembly reflected some of the extraordinary shifts in global-especially Middle East and most especially Syria-related-politics that have taken shape in the last six or eight weeks. And on Iran, that was good news. Yes the president trotted out his familiar litany that “we are determined to prevent Iran from developing a nuclear weapon.” But this time, there was no “all options on the table” threat. He added explicitly that “we are not seeking regime change and we respect the right of the Iranian people to access peaceful nuclear energy.” The reference to Iran’s right to nuclear energy represented a major shift away from the longstanding claim among many US hawks and the Israeli government that Iran must give up all nuclear enrichment.
Respecting Iran’s right to “access” nuclear energy is still a bit of a dodge, of course-Article IV of the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) recognizes not just access but “the inalienable right of all the Parties to the Treaty to develop research, production and use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes without discrimination.” Iran is a longstanding signatory to the NPT, and is entitled to all those rights. Obama referred only that “we insist that the Iranian government meet its responsibilities” under the NPT, while saying nothing about Iran’s rights under the treaty. But the high visibility US recognition of any Iranian right to nuclear power-in the context of a new willingness to open talks-is still enormously important.
It was also important that President Obama spoke of Iran with respect, acknowledging Iranian interests and opinions as legitimate and parallel to Washington’s. He recognized that Iranian mistrust of the United States has “deep roots,” referencing (however carefully) the “history of US interference in their affairs and of America’s role in overthrowing an Iranian government during the Cold War.” In fact, his identification of the 1953 US-backed coup that overthrew Iran’s democratically elected Prime Minister Mohamed Mossadegh as a product of the Cold War may have been part of an effort to distance himself and his administration from those actions. (It’s a bit disingenuous, of course. The primary rationale for the coup was far more a response to Mossadegh’s nationalization of Iran’s oil than to his ties to the Soviet Union.)
Obama also paid new attention to longstanding Iranian positions. He noted that “the Supreme Leader has issued a fatwa against the development of nuclear weapons, and President Rouhani has just recently reiterated that the Islamic Republic will never develop a nuclear weapon.” Now anyone following the Iran nuclear issue knows that the Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, stated at least as far back as 2003 that nuclear weapons are a violation of Islamic law and Iran would never build or use one, and the fatwa, or legal opinion, was issued at least as far back as 2005. This isn’t new. But for President Obama to mention those judgments in the context of “the basis for a meaningful agreement” is indeed new.
Mainstream US press and officials have long derided those statements, claiming that fatwas are not binding, that 700-year-old religious laws can’t have a position on nuclear weapons, etc. But in so doing they ignore the real significance-that President Rouhani, the Supreme Leader and the rest of Iran’s government have to answer to their own population too. After years of repeating that nuclear weapons would be un-Islamic, would violate a fatwa, etc., it would not be so easy for Iran’s leaders to win popular support for a decision to embrace the bomb.
There is a long way to go in challenging aspects of President Obama’s speech at the United Nations-his embrace of American exceptionalism and his recommitment to a failed approach to Palestinian-Israeli negotiations, his view that war and violence can only be answered by military force or nothing, and more. He didn’t explicitly state a willingness to accept Iran’s participation in international talks on Syria. There is a serious danger that any move towards rapprochement with Iran would be matched with moves to pacify Israeli demands-almost certainly at the expense of Palestinian rights.
But in the broader scenario of US-Iran relations, this is a moment to move forward, to welcome the new approach in Washington now answering the new approach of Tehran.
More flexibility will be required than the United States is usually known for. The usual opponents-in Congress, in Israel and the pro-Israel lobbies-are already on the move, challenging the new opening. But these last weeks showed how a quickly organized demonstration of widespread public opinion, demanding negotiations instead of war, can win. We were able to build a movement fast, agile and powerful enough to reverse an imminent military attack on Syria and instead force a move towards diplomatic solutions to end the war. This time around, the demand to deepen, consolidate and not abandon diplomatic possibilities is on our agenda-and perhaps once again we can
2:03
|
[21 Oct 2013] israeli drones violate Lebanese airspace - English
Several israeli drones have violated Lebanon\'s airspace and flown over the country in flagrant violation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701.
According to the Lebanese Army...
Several israeli drones have violated Lebanon\'s airspace and flown over the country in flagrant violation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701.
According to the Lebanese Army Command, the warplanes broke the sound barrier over the southern Lebanese town of Naqoura. They also released heat balloons over the shores of the town of Tyre within Lebanon\'s territorial waters. Israel violates Lebanon\'s airspace on an almost daily basis, claiming the flights serve surveillance purposes. Lebanon\'s government, the Hezbollah resistance movement, and the UN Interim Force in Lebanon have repeatedly condemned the overflights, saying they are in clear violation of the country\'s sovereignty. UN Security Council Resolution 1701 calls on Israel to respect Lebanon\'s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
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Description:
Several israeli drones have violated Lebanon\'s airspace and flown over the country in flagrant violation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701.
According to the Lebanese Army Command, the warplanes broke the sound barrier over the southern Lebanese town of Naqoura. They also released heat balloons over the shores of the town of Tyre within Lebanon\'s territorial waters. Israel violates Lebanon\'s airspace on an almost daily basis, claiming the flights serve surveillance purposes. Lebanon\'s government, the Hezbollah resistance movement, and the UN Interim Force in Lebanon have repeatedly condemned the overflights, saying they are in clear violation of the country\'s sovereignty. UN Security Council Resolution 1701 calls on Israel to respect Lebanon\'s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
3:29
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[22 Oct 2013] israeli flights over Lebanon violate UN Resolution 1701 - English
Several israeli drones have violated Lebanon\'s airspace and flown over the country in flagrant violation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701. According to the Lebanese Army Command,...
Several israeli drones have violated Lebanon\'s airspace and flown over the country in flagrant violation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701. According to the Lebanese Army Command, the warplanes broke the sound barrier over the southern Lebanese town of Naqoura. They also released heat balloons over the shores of the town of Tyre within Lebanon\'s territorial waters. Israel violates Lebanon\'s airspace on an almost daily basis, claiming the flights serve surveillance purposes. Lebanon\'s government, the Hezbollah resistance movement, and the UN Interim Force in Lebanon have repeatedly condemned the overflights, saying they are in clear violation of the country\'s sovereignty. UN Security Council Resolution 1701 calls on Israel to respect Lebanon\'s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
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Several israeli drones have violated Lebanon\'s airspace and flown over the country in flagrant violation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701. According to the Lebanese Army Command, the warplanes broke the sound barrier over the southern Lebanese town of Naqoura. They also released heat balloons over the shores of the town of Tyre within Lebanon\'s territorial waters. Israel violates Lebanon\'s airspace on an almost daily basis, claiming the flights serve surveillance purposes. Lebanon\'s government, the Hezbollah resistance movement, and the UN Interim Force in Lebanon have repeatedly condemned the overflights, saying they are in clear violation of the country\'s sovereignty. UN Security Council Resolution 1701 calls on Israel to respect Lebanon\'s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
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[23 Oct 2013] Syria crisis resolution must come from Syrians: Shaath - English
Press TV has conducted an interview with Saab Shaath, Middle East Affairs expert, about the remarks made by William Hague and John Kerry both saying that Syrian Present Bashar al-Assad must go and...
Press TV has conducted an interview with Saab Shaath, Middle East Affairs expert, about the remarks made by William Hague and John Kerry both saying that Syrian Present Bashar al-Assad must go and will not be part of a future Syrian government.
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Press TV has conducted an interview with Saab Shaath, Middle East Affairs expert, about the remarks made by William Hague and John Kerry both saying that Syrian Present Bashar al-Assad must go and will not be part of a future Syrian government.
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[23 Oct 2013] Vatican suspends a German bishop for his lavish life style - English
The head of Poland\'s Catholic Church has come under fire for suggesting that children are to blame for being sexually abused by priests.
In defense of the church\'s pedophile priests,...
The head of Poland\'s Catholic Church has come under fire for suggesting that children are to blame for being sexually abused by priests.
In defense of the church\'s pedophile priests, Archbishop Jozef Michalik said children from troubled families seek closeness to the priests and may get lost and get the priests involved. The words triggered an immediate backlash in the media. Michalik then tried to soothe them by saying that he had been misunderstood. Afterwards, he corrected himself and said child victims were not in any way responsible. The latest uproar came amid a tide of allegations that Poland\'s church is covering up cases of sex abuse.
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The head of Poland\'s Catholic Church has come under fire for suggesting that children are to blame for being sexually abused by priests.
In defense of the church\'s pedophile priests, Archbishop Jozef Michalik said children from troubled families seek closeness to the priests and may get lost and get the priests involved. The words triggered an immediate backlash in the media. Michalik then tried to soothe them by saying that he had been misunderstood. Afterwards, he corrected himself and said child victims were not in any way responsible. The latest uproar came amid a tide of allegations that Poland\'s church is covering up cases of sex abuse.
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[23 Oct 2013] Damascus: No foreign party can decide leadership but Syrian people - English
In reaction to the meeting of the so-called Friends of Syria in London, Damascus says no foreign party will be involved in deciding the country\'s leadership.
The Syrian Foreign Ministry issued...
In reaction to the meeting of the so-called Friends of Syria in London, Damascus says no foreign party will be involved in deciding the country\'s leadership.
The Syrian Foreign Ministry issued a statement saying that the Syrian people are the only ones who can choose their leaders. The statement says Syrians will not allow any foreign party to impose its will on them when it comes to choosing a government or determining the state powers. The statement comes after the so-called Friends of Syria supported the insurgents in the country. They said after their meeting on Tuesday that they\'ve agreed with the external opposition that President Bashar al-Assad will have no place in the future of the Middle Eastern nation. The meeting of the group of 11 Western and Arab countries plus the foreign-backed opposition, was held ahead of a planned peace conference on Syria in late November.
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In reaction to the meeting of the so-called Friends of Syria in London, Damascus says no foreign party will be involved in deciding the country\'s leadership.
The Syrian Foreign Ministry issued a statement saying that the Syrian people are the only ones who can choose their leaders. The statement says Syrians will not allow any foreign party to impose its will on them when it comes to choosing a government or determining the state powers. The statement comes after the so-called Friends of Syria supported the insurgents in the country. They said after their meeting on Tuesday that they\'ve agreed with the external opposition that President Bashar al-Assad will have no place in the future of the Middle Eastern nation. The meeting of the group of 11 Western and Arab countries plus the foreign-backed opposition, was held ahead of a planned peace conference on Syria in late November.
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[24 Oct 2013] Lawyer Says he barred from discussing torture of intimates at court - English
A lawyer for a nine-eleven suspect, who\'s jailed in the US Guantanamo prison, criticizes his limitations in even talking about the torture of his client.
James Connell says the Guantanamo court...
A lawyer for a nine-eleven suspect, who\'s jailed in the US Guantanamo prison, criticizes his limitations in even talking about the torture of his client.
James Connell says the Guantanamo court has barred him from reading out his client\'s personal account of his alleged abuse. He says this hampers his ability to put up a strong defense. To add insult to the injury, Connell said he was also prevented to send the document to a third party such as the U-N\'s special rapporteur on torture. The lawyer insisted that the treatment violated the U-N Convention Against Torture. Other lawyers have also complained about the issue, saying it\'s important to discuss torture claims because all their five defendants face the death penalty if convicted. Connell has also revealed that his client suffered a head injury apparently during an interrogation by the C-I-A in 2006.
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A lawyer for a nine-eleven suspect, who\'s jailed in the US Guantanamo prison, criticizes his limitations in even talking about the torture of his client.
James Connell says the Guantanamo court has barred him from reading out his client\'s personal account of his alleged abuse. He says this hampers his ability to put up a strong defense. To add insult to the injury, Connell said he was also prevented to send the document to a third party such as the U-N\'s special rapporteur on torture. The lawyer insisted that the treatment violated the U-N Convention Against Torture. Other lawyers have also complained about the issue, saying it\'s important to discuss torture claims because all their five defendants face the death penalty if convicted. Connell has also revealed that his client suffered a head injury apparently during an interrogation by the C-I-A in 2006.
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[25 Oct 2013] Iran UN envoy raps use of punitive measures for Political gain - English
Iran\'s envoy to the United Nations has criticized the use of sanctions against developing countries for what he calls political gain.
Gholam-hossein Dehghani said such sanctions constitute a...
Iran\'s envoy to the United Nations has criticized the use of sanctions against developing countries for what he calls political gain.
Gholam-hossein Dehghani said such sanctions constitute a clear violation of international law and the U-N Charter. Dehghani dismissed claims that the sanctions are QUOTE smart, saying the punitive measures mainly target ordinary people. Iran\'s envoy to the UN reiterated Tehran\'s opposition to sanctions, which he called outdated and ineffective, against any nation.
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Iran\'s envoy to the United Nations has criticized the use of sanctions against developing countries for what he calls political gain.
Gholam-hossein Dehghani said such sanctions constitute a clear violation of international law and the U-N Charter. Dehghani dismissed claims that the sanctions are QUOTE smart, saying the punitive measures mainly target ordinary people. Iran\'s envoy to the UN reiterated Tehran\'s opposition to sanctions, which he called outdated and ineffective, against any nation.
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[27 Oct 2013] israel approves release of 26 inmates in coming days - English
Israel approves the release of 26 Palestinian prisoners under the terms of the renewed so-called peace talks with the Palestinian Authority. The released inmates are considered the second group of...
Israel approves the release of 26 Palestinian prisoners under the terms of the renewed so-called peace talks with the Palestinian Authority. The released inmates are considered the second group of prisoners discharged since August. Israeli prison authorities say the inmates will be released at least 48 hours after their names are published. Tel Aviv had said 104 Palestinians would be freed in stages following the start of negotiations on July 30. An Israeli official claimed last week that the move was linked to a deal with the Palestinian Authority in exchange for continued settlement construction in the occupied territories. But the PA has vehemently denied the allegation, saying the construction activities seriously threaten the so-called peace talks, that resumed in July after a three-year halt.
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Israel approves the release of 26 Palestinian prisoners under the terms of the renewed so-called peace talks with the Palestinian Authority. The released inmates are considered the second group of prisoners discharged since August. Israeli prison authorities say the inmates will be released at least 48 hours after their names are published. Tel Aviv had said 104 Palestinians would be freed in stages following the start of negotiations on July 30. An Israeli official claimed last week that the move was linked to a deal with the Palestinian Authority in exchange for continued settlement construction in the occupied territories. But the PA has vehemently denied the allegation, saying the construction activities seriously threaten the so-called peace talks, that resumed in July after a three-year halt.
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[28 Oct 2013] US drone strike kills 2 people in Somalia - English
At least two people have been killed in a US drone strike in Somalia.
The drone fired a missile at a car traveling in the outskirts of Jilib, a town south of the capital Mogadishu. Witnesses say...
At least two people have been killed in a US drone strike in Somalia.
The drone fired a missile at a car traveling in the outskirts of Jilib, a town south of the capital Mogadishu. Witnesses say the victims were al-Shabab fighters. The US has stepped up its drone activities in the country, saying it\'s targeting the fighters. Washington is being criticized for its drone operation in several Muslim countries including Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Yemen.
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At least two people have been killed in a US drone strike in Somalia.
The drone fired a missile at a car traveling in the outskirts of Jilib, a town south of the capital Mogadishu. Witnesses say the victims were al-Shabab fighters. The US has stepped up its drone activities in the country, saying it\'s targeting the fighters. Washington is being criticized for its drone operation in several Muslim countries including Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Yemen.