[2]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/dynamosquito/ [3] / CC BY-SA 2.0 [4]

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

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September 1, 2009

Volume 1, Issue 12
Leigh Catherine Miles, Editor 

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

Feature Articles

The Islamic Republic on Trial: Guardianship of Unjust Jurist [9]

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. | Read more » [9]

Background

Background Brief: Ahmadinejad’s Cabinet [14]

A breakdown of the final list of cabinet nominees President Ahmadinejad presented to the nation on Aug. 19 which began receiving confirmation votes from the parliament on Aug. 30. | Read more » [14]

Background Brief: Governance of Civil Society [15]

A review of authorities and laws, as written and applied, that regulate civil society organizations in Iran. | Read more » [15]

Background Brief: Human Rights [16]

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 » [16]

Background Brief: The State of Iran’s Economy [17]

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 » [17]

Diagram: The Balance of Power [18]

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 » [18]

Past Editions

• Vol. 1, No. 11 – August 4, 2009 | Read this issue » [19]

• Vol. 1, No. 10 – July 17, 2009 | Read this issue » [20]

• Vol. 1, No. 9 – June 26, 2009 | Read this issue » [21]

• Vol. 1, No. 8 – June 11, 2009 | Read this issue » [22]

• Vol. 1, No. 7 – May 22, 2009 | Read this issue » [23]

• Vol. 1, No. 6 – May 8, 2009 | Read this issue » [24]

• Vol. 1, No. 5 – April 24, 2009 | Read this issue » [25]

• Vol. 1, No. 4 – April 10, 2009 | Read this issue » [26]

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

• Vol. 1, No. 2 – March 13, 2009 | Read this issue » [28]

• Vol. 1, No. 1 – Feb. 27, 2009 | Read this issue » [29]

Pictured above: The corridor aside the central court of the Nasir al-Mulk Mosque in Shiraz, Iran