Category Archives: International issues

New Zealand House of Representatives Passes Marriage Equality And Sings

Posted on April 17, 2013 by Ampersand

They’re singing a Maori love song called “Pokarekare ana,” which, Wikipedia tells me, is sometimes called New Zealand’s unofficial national anthem. During the debate, “Te Ururoa Flavell gave a wonderful speech with a Maori perspective, detailing the pre-colonial Maori history … Continue reading →

Posted in In the news, International issues, Same-Sex Marriage | 3 Comments

What I’ve Been Reading About Iran

Posted on March 23, 2013 by Richard Jeffrey Newman

Iran’s Web Censors vs. Google Reader: In the wake of Google’s announcement that it’s going to kill Reader, a fascinating article about the role Reader played in helping Iranians circumvent government censors. Pahlavi Iran and Zionism: An Intellectual Elite’s Short-Lived … Continue reading →

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Norooz Pirooz! Eid Moborak! Happy Iranian New Year 2013

Posted on March 20, 2013 by Richard Jeffrey Newman

It is a tradition in Iran to use the works of the 14th century poet Hafez to tell fortunes. People open a copy of his divan, his collected works, and take the first line of poetry their eye falls on … Continue reading →

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Is Hamas Considering Recognition Of Israel? – from Al-Monitor

Posted on March 13, 2013 by Richard Jeffrey Newman

From a very interesting article by Shlomi Eldar on Al-Monitor, which is a very useful source of information if you follow what’s going on in the Middle East: “Reconciliation between Hamas and Fatah is stuck, because right now the United … Continue reading →

Posted in Palestine & Israel | 4 Comments

Farid al-Din Attar: A Reading Journal 3

Posted on March 9, 2013 by Richard Jeffrey Newman

Do you believe in love at first sight? All-consuming, Romeo-and-Juliet, I-cannot-live-withou-you, I-know-just-by-looking-at-you-that-you-are-all-I-will-ever-need-and-so-I-will-give-up-everything-I-have-ever-held-dear-just-to-be-with-you, I-would-even-die-for-you love? I don’t. I never have. Even when I was young enough that the romantic ideal of such a love should have resonated in me, I actually … Continue reading →

Posted in Iran, Religion | 3 Comments

Attar in Progress: An Officer Falls in Love with a Prince

Posted on March 2, 2013 by Richard Jeffrey Newman

I’ve been making steady progress working on Ilahi Nama, and I thought it might be interesting to post some of what I’ve done so far. The latest poem of which I have finished the first draft, for example–just about all … Continue reading →

Posted in Iran, Writing | 5 Comments

“My Face Became Eyes; My Eyes, Hands” – Translation Strategy and Metaphor

Posted on January 26, 2013 by Richard Jeffrey Newman

I am on sabbatical this semester to work on a translation of Ilahi Nama, The Book of God, by Farid al-Din Attar. I’ve been working on this book in bits and pieces for the past couple of years, producing first … Continue reading →

Posted in Iran, Writing | 4 Comments

Learning How to Talk to Iran Means Learning to Understand Iranian Culture

Posted on January 5, 2013 by Richard Jeffrey Newman

This is from a recent op-ed in the New York Times, “How to Talk to Iran,” by Seyed Hossein Mousavian and Mohammad Ali Shabani: For thousands of years, Persian culture has been distinguished by customs that revolve around honor and esteem. … Continue reading →

Posted in Iran | 3 Comments

“Argo” Is a Very Well Made Movie that Ultimately Left Me Cold

Posted on November 12, 2012 by Richard Jeffrey Newman

We went to see Argo last night, the new movie starring Ben Affleck that is based on Antonio Mendez’ book about his mission to rescue six Americans during the Iranian hostage crisis in 1979-1980. I went expecting to see a Hollywood … Continue reading →

Posted in Iran | 5 Comments

Nicholas Kristof Reports on his Trip Through Iran

Posted on June 20, 2012 by Richard Jeffrey Newman

I’m glad to see reporting coming out of Iran (here and here, both by Nicholas Kristoff) that is based on a journalist’s first-hand encounters with ordinary Iranians. It’s not just that it’s important for readers in the United States to … Continue reading →

Posted in Iran | 2 Comments