Advancing Peace & Diplomacy
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Sanders, Murphy, and Lee Seek Major Overhaul of National Security Powers [[link removed]]
In January 2020, Iranians and Americans held their breath as news broke that President Trump had ordered the assassination of Iranian general Qassem Soleimani in Iraq, an unauthorized offensive strike that risked plunging our nations into full-blown war. How the U.S. and Iran went from a diplomatic breakthrough in 2015 to the brink of war less than five years later should raise important questions on why the path to war is far easier than the path to peace.
Luckily, last week, Senators Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Chris Murphy (D-CT), and Mike Lee (R-UT) introduced the bipartisan National Security Powers Act of 2021. If passed, the Act would place a check on presidential power by reforming three key areas of foreign policy: war powers, arms sales, and the declaration of national emergencies. The act would reshape presidential powers, strengthen Congressional reach, and help to make costly interventions far less common. Read More > [[link removed]]
Ebrahim Raisi's Inauguration and the Fate of U.S.-Iran Diplomacy [[link removed]]
Ebrahim Raisi comes to office at a time when Iran is reeling from multiple crises: an economy debilitated by sanctions and mismanagement, widespread public discontent and disillusionment, and recurrent protests in various parts of the country. Raisi’s presidency and the challenges that lie ahead make the need for a diplomatic U.S. approach to Iran even more pronounced. American and Iranian hardliners have long fed off each other and benefited from the cycle of escalation, and it would be a dire mistake for the U.S. to continue this pattern.
NIAC continues its call to the U.S. and Iranian governments to eschew confrontation in favor of engagement, return to the nuclear deal on a compliance for compliance basis, and work to reduce tensions in the region through dialogue. Diplomacy is the sole force that can remove the shadow of war from over the heads of both Americans and Iranians, end draconian sanctions that have impoverished ordinary Iranians from all walks of life, and nurture connections between Iranians and the outside world. Read More > [[link removed]]
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Protecting Civil Rights
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NIAC Urges Robert D. MacLean’s Appointment to Park Police Task Force Raises Concern [[link removed]]
This week, NIAC sent a letter to Interior Secretary Deb Haaland urging her to reconsider the decision to appoint Robert D. MacLean to a new departmental task force overseeing Interior Department police units. During his tenure as Chief of Park Police, MacLean acted to undermine accountability and transparency in the department.
It was under MacLean's leadership in 2017 that unarmed Iranian-American Bijan Ghaisar was killed by Park Police officers following a minor traffic collision. Ghaisar posed no imminent public safety threat, yet was fatally shot four times. Rather than take responsibility and pursue accountability, MacLean shielded the officers and stymied the family’s efforts to seek justice. ​​Even now, in 2021, justice has not been served for Ghaisar’s death as the officers face trial in a manslaughter case.
Full transparency and impartiality are essential to finding answers to abuses under the prior administration and restoring trust in law enforcement. Unfortunately, the appointment of MacLean risks ensuring that this task force is more dedicated to a cover-up than true accountability. Read More > [[link removed]]
Spotlighting Human Rights in Iran
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Elderly Dual Nationals Sentenced to 10 Years of Prison [[link removed]]Given Tehran’s refusal to recognize dual nationality, Iran’s Revolutionary Guards have arrested dozens of dual nationals in recent years, mostly on the basis of security-related charges and espionage. On August 4th, Iran continued this trend, sentencing human rights activists German-Iranian Nahid Taghavi and British-Iranian Mehran Raouf to more than 10 years in prison, each on national security charges.
📖 Read more from our Human Rights Tracker > [[link removed]]
➡️ Follow NIAC's Human Rights Tracker on Twitter > [[link removed]]
📥 Subscribe to receive our Human Rights Tracker in your inbox > [[link removed]]
Proposed Iranian Legislation Plans to Greatly Hinder Internet Access [[link removed]]In 2016, the UN General Assembly passed a resolution based on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights that explicitly “declared internet access a human right” and unequivocally condemned “measures to intentionally prevent or disrupt access to or dissemination of information online.” Yet despite UN efforts, Iran has continued to throttle internet speeds and curb access to key internet services, especially when large protests are taking place, such as those currently happening in Khuzestan. Read more > [[link removed]]
Community & Culture
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Celebrating Iranian Athletes at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics [[link removed]]
With only a few days left in the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics, NIAC has got you covered with a recap of the games so far and a peak at the remaining matches. This year, Iran sent 65 athletes to Tokyo to compete in 17 different sports. Four athletes are competing under the IOC flag. The 2020 Olympics also marked a new milestone for female athletes in Iran, as the country sent ten female athletes to Tokyo. Read more about our Iranian Olympiads, some amazing female Iranian competitors, and check out a list of upcoming matches here. [[link removed]]
📰 Read our entire Olympic Tracker here > [[link removed]]
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Just Extended: Have You Taken NIAC Action's 2021 Survey? [[link removed]]
We want to hear from you! That's why each year, NIAC Action looks to our community to take a survey to guide our advocacy priorities and goals for the year. And with so much hanging in the balance for the Iranian-American community, your voice is more important than ever. Filling out the survey takes only a few minutes and is invaluable in ensuring that the issues and priorities most pressing to our community are at the forefront of our work. Make your voice heard and share your thoughts with us today! Everyone who takes the survey will be entered into a raffle and 20 lucky winners will be sent a copy of Melody Moezzi's " The Rumi Prescription".
✏️ Last chance: Take the 30 second survey now > [[link removed]]
Supporting the Iran Nationality Room at the University of Pittsburgh [[link removed]]
The Nationality Rooms at the University of Pittsburgh are a unique institution, serving as teaching classrooms where students learn subjects, immersed in cultural environments. Currently, there are 33 nationality rooms, but only recently have there been conversations to finally build an Iranian Nationality Room, 60+ years after its first conception.
To bring the Iranian Nationality Room into reality, the University of Pittsburgh needs our help. The Iranian Room is in the fundraising stage, but the development of each room has averaged around $500,000 to complete. You can help build the room by giving today. [[link removed]] Donations to the Iranian Nationality Room are fully tax-deductible, and you will receive a tax receipt. Learn More > [[link removed]]
From Our Staff
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Why is Biden's Iran Policy the Same as Trump's? [[link removed]]
NIAC Senior Research Fellow Dr. Assal Rad sat down with Breakthrough News’ Rania Khalek to discuss the impact of U.S. sanctions on Iranian people, the ongoing JCPOA negotiations, and the Biden administration’s Iran policy so far. Watch here > [[link removed]]
As Iran-U.S. Nuclear Talks Loom, Ebrahim Raisi Faces Protests, Economic Strife [[link removed]]
In an interview for a recent Newsweek article, NIAC Senior Research Analyst Sina Toossi shared his analysis of the latest developments out of Iran and what they mean for U.S.-Iran engagement: "The current protests in Khuzestan are just one of many domestic crises Ebrahim Raisi will face... Raisi will have to be pragmatic and draw on the knowledge of technocrats to stabilize the country various domestic crises, which include massive discontent and disillusionment with the political status quo, a new wave of COVID-19 infections and deaths, strikes in Iran's oil sector, and water shortages in parts of the country." Read more > [[link removed]]
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NIAC’s Jamal Abdi Joins VOA debate [[link removed]]
NIAC President Jamal Abdi sat down with VOA Farsi to discuss and debate US-Iranian Relation in the Raisi Era, and the change landscape of US-Iran diplomacy.
📺 Watch the entire debate here > [[link removed]]
Iran Unfiltered: [[link removed]] Ebrahim Raisi Promises “Diplomatic Plans” To End Sanctions [[link removed]]
Ebrahim Raisi was sworn in as Iran’s next president and talked about diplomatically lifting sanctions in his inauguration speech. Khamenei’s website has rehashed an old debate in a warning against Iran having relations with America. Meanwhile, Rouhani in his final address as president reiterated a JCPOA deal was possible, and the COVID situation is rapidly deteriorating.
📖 Read the latest Iran Unfiltered > [[link removed]]
📥 Subscribe to receive Iran Unfiltered in your inbox > [[link removed]]
Events
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An Evening of Iranian and Middle Eastern Music and Dance [[link removed]]
Thursday, August 12th 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM MT
Join NIAC Colorado in person in Lakewood or virtually via Zoom for an evening of Iranian music and dance from a number of talented Colorado artists. The evening will feature dance performances from Delise Khadem-Ghaeini & her students and Katie Razavi-Shearer , a musical performance from Meg York , as well as a live book reading of "Perfectly Parvin" by author Olivia Abtahi .
🎟️ RSVP here > [[link removed]]
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