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

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August 4, 2009

Volume 1, Issue 11
Leigh Catherine Miles, Editor 

The Iran Bulletin is a publication of the National Democratic Institute (NDI).

Feature Articles

The Erosion of Legitimacy in Iran: The Role of International Election Standards

Millions of Iranians reacted with outrage to the June 12 election that – at least for now – has returned President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to power. Some seven weeks later, protestors have not retreated, even in the face of brutal repression. Whether the authorities will ultimately silence the opposition is still not clear.  One outcome of the election, however, is clear. Rather than Ahmadinejad, the big winner of the June 12 election is the idea that the legitimacy of an election – and the resulting government – must be judged against internationally agreed norms and standards.| Read more »

Challenges Facing Iran’s Grassroots Movement

Sustained, successful movements have clear goals, effective leadership and energize people to work together toward a common objective. The Iranian elections – both prior to and in the aftermath – have provided the opportunity for Iranians to build a new durable social movement.   As the election recedes, the grassroots movement faces building solidarity among disparate civil society activists and social causes under a common banner of change.  The long-term success of such movements depends ultimately on civic activists harnessing their energy to define clear goals, enable leaders to emerge and call for a common agenda supported by strategic, unified actions.| Read more »

Voices from Iran

These stories are on-the-ground analyses and perspectives written by Iranian journalists.

Civil Disobedience in Iran Takes on New Forms

While Iranian citizens continue to brave batons, teargas, arrests and even bullets by organizing and attending public protests, more creative and less risky forms of peaceful protest are also on the rise.  While it is too early to gauge the impact of these strategies, the Iranian regime’s campaign to stamp them out may be some proof of their effectiveness. | Read more »

Seen & Heard: Analysis of Recent Media Coverage in Iran

Seen and Heard: August 4

Highlights from the Iranian press. | Read more »

Background

Background Brief: Governance of Civil Society

A review of authorities and laws, as written and applied, that regulate civil society organizations in Iran. | Read more »

Background Brief: Human Rights

The recent violent crackdown against Iranian activists exemplifies long-standing concerns about infringements on human rights in Iran.  Although political and social restrictions were eased under President Mohammad Khatami, since 2005 President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has renewed a clamp down on human rights citing national security concerns. | Read more »

Background Brief: The State of Iran’s Economy

Given Iran’s vast oil and natural gas resources, the Islamic Republic should be a very wealthy country. However, while Iran’s poverty rate is relatively low, estimates of the inflation rate range from 23 to 30 percent, factories operate below capacity, major cities have rolling power blackouts and real estate prices have tripled. | Read more »

Diagram: The Balance of Power

A visual depiction of the structure of the Iranian leadership, illustrating the lines of authority among the Republic’s elected and unelected officials. (Will open in new window.) | Read more »

Submit an Article to the Iran Bulletin

Authors interested in writing for the Bulletin should email Leigh Catherine Miles at [email protected] with a brief description of the proposed article and information on the author's background.

Articles published in the Bulletin generally approach the situation in Iran analytically, though the author’s point of view is often clear. Articles should be written in English and can vary in length from 800 to 1,500 words. The Bulletin generally does not reprint articles previously published elsewhere.

Past Editions

• Vol. 1, No. 10 – July 17, 2009 | Read this issue »

• Vol. 1, No. 9 – June 26, 2009 | Read this issue »

• Vol. 1, No. 8 – June 11, 2009 | Read this issue »

• Vol. 1, No. 7 – May 22, 2009 | Read this issue »

• Vol. 1, No. 6 – May 8, 2009 | Read this issue »

• Vol. 1, No. 5 – April 24, 2009 | Read this issue »

• Vol. 1, No. 4 – April 10, 2009 | Read this issue »

• Vol. 1, No. 3 – March 27, 2009 | Read this issue »

• Vol. 1, No. 2 – March 13, 2009 | Read this issue »

• Vol. 1, No. 1 – Feb. 27, 2009 | Read this issue »

Pictured above: Thousands of mourners gather July 30 at Tehran's Behesht Zahra cemetery. Photo Courtesy of Flickr User .faramarz