Unwrapping Iran
Iran Cracks Down On Human Rights Activists()
February 18, 2009 Every so often, activists will be arrested, visitors from the U.S. will be detained and groups shut down. It's not enough to spark protests in the streets, but it appears to be calibrated to discourage the spread of a human rights movement in Iran.
Iran's Economy Struggles As Sanctions Take Hold()
February 17, 2009 Dramatically lower oil prices and mismanaged government policy, fueled by the growing bite of international economic sanctions, are causing deep problems for Iran. The state of Iran's economy will certainly have a huge impact this June, when President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad faces re-election.
In Iran, Supreme Leader Wields True Power()
February 13, 2009 If the U.S. wants to improve relations with Iran, it can happen only with the approval of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Iran's supreme leader controls everything from Iran's nuclear program to full authority over foreign policy.
Live Chat: How Iranians See Their Country()
February 13, 2009 As he completes a series of reports on Iran, Steve Inskeep took your questions and chatted about what Iranians think about their country, the revolution and the United States.
Memoirs Recount Limitations Of Life In Modern Iran()
February 10, 2009 Memoir writers Azar Nafisi and Azadeh Moaveni chronicle life in pre- and post-revolution Iran — and offer a glimpse of a people struggling to find pockets of freedom within a repressive regime.
Abolqasem Ferdowsi: The Poet Who Rescued Iran()
February 9, 2009 Ferdowsi combines myth and history in Shahnameh, known in English as the "Book of Kings." It chronicles the rulers and warriors of the Persian empire, which had come and gone long before the poet was born in 940 A.D.
Rethinking Iran: Perceptions On U.S.-Iran Relations()
February 7, 2009 As the Obama administration establishes its foreign policy, it must grapple with a strategy for U.S. relations with Iran. Weekend Edition Saturday invites guests to talk about Iran, share their advice for President Obama and examine the impact of the Iranian Revolution, which brought Muslim clerics to power in Iran 30 years ago.
Looking For Political Messages In Tehran Prayers()
February 5, 2009 In Iran, Friday prayers often start with a spiritual lesson and end with current events. This was true last Friday, when the sermon was delivered by Iran's former President Hashemi Rafsanjani.
Editor Upholds Ideology Of Iran's Islamic Revolution()
February 5, 2009 Hossein Shariatmadari, chief editor of Iran's conservative Kayhan newspaper, was once imprisoned and tortured by the Shah of Iran's intelligence agency. Now, he edits an edgy newspaper full of sarcasm for perceived enemies, including the United States.
Reporter's Notebook
In Tehran, The Idea Of Violence Is Everywhere()
February 5, 2009 Tehran is a safe city. But the image of violence and the story of violence have saturated the city. The billboards, murals, speeches and chants, some calling for "Death to America!" and others promoting martyrdom, hit you in the face.
