64 years on, and although there is no Joseph Stalin, another strong man of Russia is in Tehran. Back in 1943, Stalin with Roosevelt and Churchill wanted to thwart the threats of Nazi Germany and its allies (متحدین). Back then Iran's oil was of huge importance, as was its strategic position next to Russia and the biggest part of the British empire in India. The thorn in the side was the then Shah, Reza Pahlavi, who resented the European influence in his country, and was rumoured to have sympathy for Aryan Germans. Iran means the land of the Aryans in Persian after all, and is the name that its natives have always used for it.
Anyhow, back then, the conference led to the Shah's displacement with his young son, the allies (متفقین) based themselves in Iran, the crossroad of victory, and there was no more direct Russian influence. With the threatening Soviets next door, US and Britain kept influence, and even military bases in the case of the US in Iran. After the Islamic disaster of a revolution and ousting of the Americans, the Brits remained, especially in the form of oil companies and industry!
Today, with the world order still struggling to shape itself, Iran's oil (and now gas) are hugely important, while the country itself doesn't really follow anyone's political line any more. With a new idealogy of Islamism, it's trying to establish itself as the leader of the world's Muslims. Its nuclear ambitions, peaceful or not, are a side show. Influence, power and military might are more important! So, to this end Vladimir Putin is in Tehran today.
His name (پوتین) in Persian means boots, and he is a strong boot wearing man, even if not physically speaking. It'll be with great interest that the world and I will watch what he'll do and say. Already he is asking the Caspian neighbours of Iran not to let anyone strike it from their bases. He does NOT want war there, no matter what. There's already enough going on in the region.
Will he be using Iran as a card in his cool war against the Americans? Are the Iranians using him as their defence shield in achieving something?
This humble observer thinks both of the above are right, and as Putin is stayin in power after his presidency, he's setting up the region and his world. The Iranians, at least one faction, are relying on Russian protection, as they can't afford sanctions, nor to go to a war.
Mar
21
What a shame!
An idiot in France has killed a number of "his enemies", which include children as revenge for children in another part of the world that he probably knows NOTHING about. It is an absolute disgrace and VERY VERY sad.
He is of Algerian origin, influenced by Afghan-based, Saudi-financed idiots. He calls himself a muslim and wants to avenge muslim children who were "murdered" by jews in Israel. FOR GOODNESS SAKE - this is just a mad man. He could also have said he is from the dark-side and would kill all those who wear blue light-sabres. Or he could be a white man from Oslo who kills anyone socialist or brown or ... or....
BUT, we know what will happen now. Marie Le Pen has started it already.
He is of Algerian origin, influenced by Afghan-based, Saudi-financed idiots. He calls himself a muslim and wants to avenge muslim children who were "murdered" by jews in Israel. FOR GOODNESS SAKE - this is just a mad man. He could also have said he is from the dark-side and would kill all those who wear blue light-sabres. Or he could be a white man from Oslo who kills anyone socialist or brown or ... or....
BUT, we know what will happen now. Marie Le Pen has started it already.
Jan
5
Where to continue
11 months since I last wrote here. There has been and is so much that I want to say and that occupies my mind!
Where do I start, no continue? Okay, in stream of consciousness.
The Arabic spring
Actually I don't know what spring in Arabic is, will have to look it up. It has had some success, much uncertainty and a long way to go. BUT, well done people of these lands. You are making yourselves heard.
Neo-Nazi terror in Germany
This so-called cell of three.
Where do I start, no continue? Okay, in stream of consciousness.
The Arabic spring
Actually I don't know what spring in Arabic is, will have to look it up. It has had some success, much uncertainty and a long way to go. BUT, well done people of these lands. You are making yourselves heard.
Neo-Nazi terror in Germany
This so-called cell of three.
Feb
22
Revolutions everywhere
It is a long time since I wrote. In this time I have been growing my second baby, and I guess that is the reason that I have not been busy with other things. There are still 3 months to go, but I cannot avoid what is going on in the area where I kind of originate from, i.e. Mid East/North Africa. This is especially true as I was in Israel for a visit just a month ago.
My first thoughts as I got on my Lufthansa flight back to Germany were "The people here are all mad".
My first thoughts as I got on my Lufthansa flight back to Germany were "The people here are all mad".
Sep
22
On the anniversary
30 years ago it started. 8 year it lasted. It effects will be felt, echoed for many decades still to come.
It put fear in the hearts of millions, cost millions of lives and unbelievable amounts of money of course.
I remember so much fear during the 8 years. It seemed never ending and was the worst thing that can happen to one. Although I saw direct effects far more rarely than those in the south and west, it did and would not stop. It went on and on. For no reason whatsoever.
It put fear in the hearts of millions, cost millions of lives and unbelievable amounts of money of course.
I remember so much fear during the 8 years. It seemed never ending and was the worst thing that can happen to one. Although I saw direct effects far more rarely than those in the south and west, it did and would not stop. It went on and on. For no reason whatsoever.
Sep
22
-ism, a new one...
What is an -ism?
It is a suffix that describes an ideology. Known examples are: Communism, Imperialism, Capitalism, Fascism, Feudalism, Federalism, Optimism, Sexism, Ageism, Judaism, etc. etc.
Another - new-ish -ism
A relatively new -ism is however the ideology that makes Islam (a religion) into a political movement. This is not necessarily a new idea, the caliphate of Islam already existed centuries ago, but the introduction of it to the wide world is new.
It is a suffix that describes an ideology. Known examples are: Communism, Imperialism, Capitalism, Fascism, Feudalism, Federalism, Optimism, Sexism, Ageism, Judaism, etc. etc.
Another - new-ish -ism
A relatively new -ism is however the ideology that makes Islam (a religion) into a political movement. This is not necessarily a new idea, the caliphate of Islam already existed centuries ago, but the introduction of it to the wide world is new.
Sep
15
Immigration - point of view of one immigrant
Once an immigrant, always an immigrant? Or does this not make any sense? In my case, however it is true. Here I want to put my point of view of immigration across. I am not going to address the whole issue of what a host country should do, how they should prepare for integration or ejection of the immigrants, etc. but how I have gone through it, my personal experience. This is obviously a short summary of the whole deal.
I became an immigrant for the first time at the age of 3.5.
I became an immigrant for the first time at the age of 3.5.
Feb
24
Quick lunch time blog
Just eating my lunch, thought again of my theory... The last shah of Iran is not dead, look he is here. Don't believe me, here was the Shah. They are look-a-likes, one has to admit.
Nov
6
The life giving ray
How living beings share the sun's light
The light that reaches the earth from the sun changes mostly into warmth and sooner or later leaves our globe. The sun's energy has become the life-giving current, which all take a part of. (Gottfried Schatz, Neue Zurcher Zeitung, 2.11.2009) Translation by Maryam Yahiaoui-Doktor
"The sun rose in Paderborn, with very peevish gesture. She had to indeed carry out an annoying deed.
The light that reaches the earth from the sun changes mostly into warmth and sooner or later leaves our globe. The sun's energy has become the life-giving current, which all take a part of. (Gottfried Schatz, Neue Zurcher Zeitung, 2.11.2009) Translation by Maryam Yahiaoui-Doktor
"The sun rose in Paderborn, with very peevish gesture. She had to indeed carry out an annoying deed.
Nov
5
A poem from Ghadeh Alsaman
An able poet from Syria
If you come to my home, bring me a pencil, a black pencil;
I want to draw a line on my face, so I won't be caged for the crime of beauty, also a cross on my heart so I won't be tempted!
Give me an eraser for erasing the lips, I don't want anyone to blacken me due to their redness.
A shovel, so I uproot my feminine virtues, sow my being... without these is heaven's way easier.
An able poet from Syria
If you come to my home, bring me a pencil, a black pencil;
I want to draw a line on my face, so I won't be caged for the crime of beauty, also a cross on my heart so I won't be tempted!
Give me an eraser for erasing the lips, I don't want anyone to blacken me due to their redness.
A shovel, so I uproot my feminine virtues, sow my being... without these is heaven's way easier.
Oct
16
Capital Punishment
No, I don't mean capitalism gone out of control, but brutality. In Iran a 21 year old man was today killed, because at the age of 17 he had stabbed someone to death. The family of the original victim came to watch the murderer die, and were allowed to also stab him. The mother went along.
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