Monthly archive : "November, 2015"

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The Tribulations of Being a Muslim While ISIS Is There

The Tribulations of Being a Muslim While ISIS Is There

Kourosh Ziabari - Huffington Post: When the reports of coordinated terrorist attacks in Paris began to break out in the evening of November 13, a mixed feeling of fright and misery immediately inundated me. I was frightened at the depth of cruelty that had transpired and affected the French people once again. I felt sympathy with the people of France who were undeservedly victimized and terrorized. And at the same time, I felt miserable. As a Muslim, it was my initial impression that the terrorist attacks in Paris would be eventually blamed on Muslims, and it didn't take so long before the media held "Islamic terrorists" accountable for the cataclysm of that horrific night, so my expectation had been realized. I didn't make such a...

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How My Society Experienced Near Economic Death as a Result of “Business Deprivation”?

How My Society Experienced Near Economic Death as a Result of “Business Deprivation”?

When asked to expound their viewpoints on the interrelationship between “business” and “society”, people would normally speak of the innumerable benefits business introduces to each society and the horizons that emerge before the citizens through the initiation of dynamic and profitable business opportunities. Undeniably, business is a harbinger of prosperity and progress. Business opportunities in agriculture, real estate, retailing and distribution, transportation, production and manufacturing, finance and other sectors give the people the chance to uplift their lives and the impetus to thrive intellectually and financially. All of us would be excited to hear the announcement that an eminent, accomplished energy firm...

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Javad Zarif: The New National Icon of Pro-Reform Iranians

Javad Zarif: The New National Icon of Pro-Reform Iranians

Kourosh Ziabari - Your Middle East: To millions of Iranians worn out by almost a decade of economic sanctions imposed on them over the country’s controversial nuclear program, Mohammad Javad Zarif appears like a treasure; he was basically unearthed by Hassan Rouhani, the pragmatist, moderate cleric and former diplomat who won the June 14, 2013 presidential elections owing to the promise he had made to the nation that he would put an end to the nuclear standoff and relieve the economic pressures the people were suffering. Upon his election, it was initially Rouhani’s plan to appoint either Mahmoud Vaezi or Sadegh Kharrazi as the Minister of Foreign Affairs. The former is a U.S. and Poland-educated electrical engineer and...

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Why Iran Should Gear Up for a “Tsunami” of Tourists

Why Iran Should Gear Up for a “Tsunami” of Tourists

Kourosh Ziabari - Huffington Post: Iran's vice-president and the head of Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization has recently given an interview to The Associated Press, where he presented eye-opening statistics on Iran's tourism sector, promising that the country should get ready for a "tsunami" of foreign tourists in the coming months and years. Like almost every aspect of Iranian life and economy, tourism was also hit hard by the tormenting sanctions that the United States and the European Union slapped on the country over its contentious nuclear program. Traveling to Iran had become an aching challenge as many European airliners had suspended their flights to Iran's major cities, the hardline government of...

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Will Justin Trudeau Rebuild Canada’s Relationship With Iran?

Will Justin Trudeau Rebuild Canada’s Relationship With Iran?

Kourosh Ziabari - Huffington Post: The 2015 federal election in Canada marked an inspiring moment in the nation's race towards moderation, and prompted international acclamation as the "change" which the Liberal Party had pledged came to be set in motion. Known for his bellicose foreign policy and antagonistic approach towards those world leaders with whom he couldn't come to an agreement peacefully, Prime Minister Stephen Harper, having ruled the nation since 2006, concocted new enemies for Canada and alienated those newly-found foes toughly, qualifying himself as a hawk rapidly blasted by the media and opposition figures at home and abroad. The nine years of Conservative rule in Canada were punctuated with conflicts,...

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Even Imperfect Negotiations Have Benefits for Both Iran and US: Suzanne Maloney

Even Imperfect Negotiations Have Benefits for Both Iran and US: Suzanne Maloney

Kourosh Ziabari - Iran Review: Following the successful conclusion of the talks over Iran’s nuclear program, and as the negotiating parties gear up for the implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), there are still concerns and uncertainties on the commitment of the interlocutors to the terms of the deal. The U.S. presidential election 2016 is approaching, and some candidates have openly vowed that they will scrap the nuclear deal with Iran if elected to the White House, including GOP hopeful and Florida Senator Marco Rubio who has said he will tear the agreement apart on his first day as the U.S. President. Now, having invested a great deal of political capital on obtaining this agreement, it’s inarguably...

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