Sahimi Keynotes Seattle Conference on Iran, U.S., Israel Relations

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richards1052
by richards1052
03-Dec-2009
 

Prof Muhammad Sahimi, one of America's most prominent Iran analysts, will keynote a Seattle conference, Iran-Israel-U.S.:  Solving the Nuclear Impasse. Below is the new flyer for the event. Sahimi is a professor of chemical engineering at the University  of Southern California.  He maintains an extensive network of political activists in Iran with whom he is in close contact.  He blogs at Huffington Post and is a correspondent for
PBS Frontline's Teheran Bureau.  He has been interviewed by NPR and the N.Y.  Times seeking his perspective on political developments in Iran:

Iran-Israel-U.S.: Resolving the Nuclear Impasse

Speakers:

* Dr. Muhammad Sahimi, University of Southern California

* Dr. Ian Lustick, political science professor, University of Pennsylvania

* Dr. Keith Weissman, former Aipac deputy director and Iran specialist

* Moderator: Dr. Ellis Goldberg, political science professor, University of Washington

December 16th at 7 PM

Town Hall, Seattle

Information: 206.632.0662 x 30

Tickets: $10 suggested donation

Brown Paper Tickets: //www.brownpapertickets.com/event/89086

 

Community sponsors:

♦ Stroum Jewish Studies Program, University of
Washington* ♦ Middle East Center, UW Jackson School of International
Studies* ♦ American Friends Service Committee ♦ Peace Action of
Washington ♦ Washington Physicians for Social Responsibility ♦ American
Muslims of Puget Sound ♦ Jewish Voice for Peace ♦  Kadima
Reconstructionist Community ♦ Network Promoting Peace with Iran ♦
United Nations Association of Greater Seattle

This community conference sponsored by local Jewish community groups and peace organizations will explore ways of resolving the Iranian nuclear crisis through negotiation, rather than force. Congress recently passed a draconian sanctions bill directed against Iran.
Neocons in the U.S. and Israel suggest that if sanctions do not work eventually military force may be the only way  to end or delay Iran’s nuclear ambitions. Many in the progressive community are deeply concerned that the U.S. and/or Israel  may soon repeat interventionist mistakes made in Iraq and Afghanistan. This conference will present a
comprehensive approach that could resolve major difference through diplomacy and open a new era in relations between these three current enemies. It  will also discuss the best means of supporting the Iran reform movement in its efforts to encourage a government based on democracy and tolerance.

Among the issues to be discussed:

* What is the best way to approach the issue of Iran’s nuclear program that will secure a positive outcome for those nations opposed
to it?

* What impact might “crippling sanctions” have on Iran and the overall conflict? Will they work?

* What repercussions might there be from an Israeli military attack on Iran and would such an attack attain its objectives?

* If a military attack is a bad idea, how do we work to prevent it?

* How should the west further the goals of the Iran reform movement?

* Voices within the Israeli military, intelligence and academic communities that embrace a more pragmatic approach

* Sponsorship by the UW’s Stroum Jewish Studies Program and Middle East Center of this program does not constitute an endorsement of the program’s content

cross-posted to Tikun Olam

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richards1052

I'm glad you tried to smear Keith Weissman...

by richards1052 on

...so I can reply in his defense.  He worked for Aipac as an Iran specialist.  He NEVER bought Aipac's views on Iran, nor Israel's.  He is a dove on this issue.  He opposes sanctions.  He opposes attacking Ira.  He favors negotiations and dialogue.

I invited Keith precisely because I wanted members of the Jewish commumnity who might favor Aipac's message to hear someone like Keith deliver a message that would surprise & shock them.

Do not judge Keith till you've heard him speak.  He will surprise you too.  And I say all this as someone who opposes almost everything that Aipac does & stands for.

Richard Silverstein

Tikun Olam

//www.richardsilverstein.com/


vildemose

Kharmagas: I will sink to

by vildemose on

Kharmagas: I will not sink to your level...


Hovakhshatare

This must be the inbreeding grounds

by Hovakhshatare on

Dr. Sahimi one of Americas...

Based on his blog here a few days ago his logic and IQ is same level as an eggplant and based on his positions and who defends it (i.e. you) it sounds like IRR.

Per majority of the comments here from the usual suspects, this sounds like inbreeding home base so no sense trying to enlighten.


kharmagas

vildmose, you said something wise!

by kharmagas on

vildmose, for once you said something wise and short! 


vildemose

I'm sorry but why isn't this

by vildemose on

I'm sorry but why isn't this blog featured front page? This is baby step toward averting a devestating war against Iran and I think everyone should try to participate. We could even invite Fred to live blog from the event...lol


Hajminator

Sounds like a great event

by Hajminator on

and a first stop for dialogue and mutual understanding. Any solution to the ME crisis without the direct participation of Iran and Israel is disillusion and pipe dream.

I would have liked to participate but Doostan be jayeh ma.


kharmagas

time for these exchanges (to Sargord Pirouz)

by kharmagas on

Even if Iran is nuke capable, and U.S/Israel are not in a shape to start another war (I personally hope both conditions are true), it is time for dialogue .... direct dialogue with Israelis ... efforts like these are precursors for talks.
Also note that Dr. Sahimi is not like Makhmalbaf (although once I tried to irritate him by comparing some of his statements with Makhmalbaf's statements)

 


vildemose

Step in the right direction.

by vildemose on

Step in the right direction. Hope to see more events like this in other cities throughout the US. Thank you for posting this Richard.


IRANdokht

Jenab sargord goosh namikoni ha

by IRANdokht on

(sorry, that joke popped in out of nowhere)

Dear SP

You sound surprised that the discussions about bombing Iranians or killing them gradually does not take the people of Iran, their lives and their safety into account! Do you expect to actually deter US and Israel from such actions bydiscussing what's best for the people of other countries?

IRANdokht


IRANdokht

Thanks for the info

by IRANdokht on

Unfortunately I won't be able to go to Seattle for this interesting forum. Maybe Fred jan can go and blog about it afterwards since he wasn't invited to speak there. Hmmm  I wonder why that is...

IRANdokht


Sargord Pirouz

loaded questions

by Sargord Pirouz on

Just look at those questions being proposed to Dr. Sahimi. None of them include what's good for the Iranian people. They all pretty much adhere to the hype and fear brought on by the Western media.

Typical.  


MOOSIRvaPIAZ

Please also ask

by MOOSIRvaPIAZ on

Please ask Dr. Keith Weissman how good is the pay for doing Hasbara work online.


Fred

The crux of the issue

by Fred on

Please ask the panel in the conference especially the "correspondent for PBS Frontline's Teheran Bureau" what they think of this statement and should it be that The Islamists are after nuclear bomb what credibility is left for those who knowing this have been arguing otherwise.

"The crux of the issue about Iran's nuclear program is, in my opinion, as follows: If Iran has the ability to make the bomb on a short notice, it becomes unattackable. That is not something that the US and Israel can tolerate. They want to be the hegemone of the Middle East."