NDI mourns the passing of Senator Edward M. Kennedy who believed that the development of democracies and respect for human rights would lead to a safer and more peaceful and prosperous world. “His advocacy of democracy and human rights around the world affirmed our country’s highest values and provided vital support to democratic forces,” said NDI Chairman Madeleine K. Albright.

For Afghanistan’s recent presidential and provincial council elections, NDI fielded a delegation of more than 100 international and Afghan observers stationed in every region of the country and Kabul, the capital city.  

Published on September 1, 2009

• “Why haven't the leaders of riots and those who everyone knows touched off the plots been arrested?”
  Ayatollah Ahmad Jannati, head of the Guardian Council, in a sermon during Friday prayers

President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad presented his final list of cabinet nominees to the nation late on Aug. 19. The president must present his cabinet within two weeks of his inauguration and presidents have traditionally waited the full two weeks, preventing extended parliamentary discussion of candidates before their confirmation.

Masih Alinejad

Majid Mohammadi

The disputed presidential election and its violent aftermath have led members of the Iranian religious establishment to question the moral, legal and religious foundations of the Islamic Republic. Prior to the election, Shi’a clerics mostly debated the relative balance of the Republic’s Islamic and democratic aspects. Now debate has shifted to the fundamental nature, pillars and theoretical justifications for the regime itself – centered on the Shi’a concept of the guardianship of the jurist (velāyat-e faqih).

The Iran Bulletin is a biweekly publication covering domestic political and election issues in Iran.