Social and Political

gatestoneinstitute.org – [T]he Houthis have also used the sophisticated weaponry they have received from Iran, such as drones and ballistic missiles, to broaden the conflict into neighbouring Saudi Arabia, which is leading the coalition military campaign to re-establish Yemen’s democratically-elected government. [US sanctions were] promptly denounced by humanitarian and aid agencies, which claimed that designating the Houthis as terrorists would …

newsweek.com – Something profound is taking shape inside Iran. Mere months from the country’s next presidential election, and in the midst of a U.S. push for reengagement with its clerical regime, recent days have seen new signs of life from—and coordination among—Iran’s notoriously fragmented opposition. blob:https://www.newsweek.com/7f2508bc-ed41-4f4d-b8ce-681fddbff5e9 As The Foreign Desk first reported, a new civic campaign launched by dissidents inside Iran has …

nypost.com – The 2022 Winter Olympic games are currently slated to be held in Beijing, China, next February. But the voices demanding that they be moved to a more freedom-friendly venue are growing louder.  Last September, a coalition of 160 human rights groups called for the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to “reverse its mistake in awarding Beijing the honor of hosting the Winter Olympics.”  …

CHRI — Proceeds from museum-quality, collectible prints by three renowned Iranian-American artists will benefit the Center for Human Rights in Iran (CHRI) in the inaugural “Changemaker” series by the sponsor, Art for Change. “We’re honored to be chosen for this inspiring initiative by exceptional artists,” said CHRI Executive Director Hadi Ghaemi. “Art for Change’s dual mission of supporting great causes and …

Al-Arabia – Yemen’s Houthi forces fired a missile on Sunday at a school in the Taiz region where pro-government forces are stationed, killing 15 soldiers, as well as three children who were nearby, two residents and military sources said. The residents told Reuters the children – two brothers and their relative – were in the area when the missile struck …

Iranwire – French tourist Benjamin Brière has appeared in court in Iran to defend himself against charges of “espionage” and “propaganda against the regime”. The 35-year-old was arrested 10 months ago and has been held in Vakilabad Prison ever since. He had driven his van via a scenic land route from France to Iran and documented parts of the journey on social …

VOA – Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard on Monday inaugurated a new underground facility designated for missile storage, the country’s state TV reported. The report quotes Guard commander Gen. Hossein Salami as saying that cruise and ballistic missiles will empower the force’s navy even more. The TV report showed footage of scores of missiles in an enclosed space resembling an underground …

Iran-HRM – The Iranian regime’s maritime forces opened fire on a group of fule traders, killing a young man in a southern Iranian port on March 12 and pursued other boats that fled the area. Folowing the fatal shooting of Baluch fuel traders, angry locals staged a protest gathering near the Strait of Hormuz in southern Iran on Friday. The protesters burned …

gatestoneinstitute.org – Governments in the Middle East have a valid reason to be concerned about the nuclear deal. They have already witnessed its negative consequences. [T]his would have not been the outcome if Israel and other regional powers had been part of the negotiations. The composition of the current negotiating team, similar to the previous one, completely excludes those on …

gatestoneinstitute.org – “The mosque is a gift from Qatar but it’s not free. I have always said that they will expect something in return, and this shows that they are making some claims for their money.” — Lars Aslan Rasmussen, Copenhagen city councilman. Officials from nearly all of Denmark’s main political parties have expressed their support for the bill to …