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End of Iran Awakening

I found the arrest of Shirin to be a particularly interesting part of the book. I was amazed that she figured out that how to predict who would be arrested and when the arrest would occur. Shirin also discussed how her daughter wanted to go to school in Canada. I was surprised that Shirin was considering it since she seemed so adamant about people staying in Iran and not leaving. But when I thought about it further, I think it is because she wants her daughter to have every opportunity available to her. I also think that she is afraid for her daughter's safety in Iran and is trying to protect her from doing some of the things that she did. If Shirin's daughter was arrested she would be treated far worse than someone else because of her political position. She always tried to keep her daughters from protesting and partaking in politics to protect them. I think that Shirin feels that if her daughter were to stay in Iran she would be like her and stand up to the government and end up in jail. Also, there are not many opportunities for women to get a hirer education and become successful. So in order to give her more opportunities to be herself. Shirin is considering letting her daughter go to Canada for school. 

I cannot believe that we are now working on our last assignment of the semester.

I would like to give a little background about my paper because I think that it is an important topic to think about. In short, we see in the media a lot that that this war that we are in is predominately one that is negative. However, what about the changes that we have made? Certainly, in the eyes of Americans it is seen to be something that is negative because it has come at the expense of American soldiers but we have made positive changes in the war in the middle east.

Some soldiers have also returned with stories that they will remember for a lifetime because they we able to aid in these peoples lives, provide clean water, and ensure a safer environment. These are things that we tend to not hear about when we are told about the war. All we hear about is death tolls and those who have been wounded. Not to say that that information is not valid, but it would be nice to hear once and a while that maybe we are making a difference and we are not wasting millions and millions of dollars on the war, and numerous lives.

Iran Awakening-

I firstly wanted to state that I think that the main character of this book is a very complex but highly educated individual and I enjoyed reading what she had to portray and write about. I was really shocked by her life and the troubles and triumphs that it entailed. Mainly, her being stripped of her judgeship, going to jail and also winning the Nobel Peace prize. These three things alone are huge life-changing experiences and the way she handled them I think was really courageous and strong. Many of the things that she discussed, were topics or occurrences that many would not wish on another but she was able to maintain her life.

I wanted to also call attention to the end of the book, which really shows how smart she really is. What I mean in particular is the way that she was able to get her book published by having an American represent her. I think that this was an interesting way to bend the rules but one that is highly intelligent.


Overall, I really admire her courageous attitude and I respect her for being able to maintain such a troubled yet positive existence.

The FInal Paper and Chapter

For my final paper I am looking at the Soviet-Afghan war and how the CIA's intervention created optimal conditions for the Taliban to rise to power. the title of my paper is "Afghanistan: A CIA Intervention That Lead to a Disaster." so as you can probably tell it will be in interesting paper. Doing research has been rally interesting. Over the last two years we have looked at everything and I really think that this project at least for me helps close the book. I hope everyone else feels the same way, I like the way we have the option to do whatever to close the pathway chapter. In terms of sources, so far I have found some very interesting thing's, I have read CIA bulletins, and Russian document's, that describe what was going on. Overall it is all an interpretation game much like everything with the Middle East! It's really up to the reader to intemperate the material I am the reader now but you all will be the reader soon, when I present my paper on the last day!

S0 this is on a completely different note. I have really enjoyed the pathway over the last two years, you all were the first people I met here at Colby-Sawyer. I know we all think this pathway has had its highs and lows but I really have enjoyed the ride with all of you.

See you next time!

End of Iran Awakening...

The epilogue of Iran Awakening is inspirational. Shirin is an incredible role model and inspiration to every single woman in Iraq. It was alarming to me the dates that this book took place in; 2003?? I have learned a lot about women's rights in Iran, and the policies they must abide by. The experience that Shirin experienced in the jail is what stands out most in my mind towards the end of the book. I was shocked when I read her "letter" to her girls saying that she had been arrested, but that it was okay, and not to worry because she would be fine and had done nothing wrong. Shirin was able to write the letter because apparently the press publishes a hard copy in the news when someone will be arrested, and the handcuffs come 3-4 weeks later. 

I found it ironic that I noticed the New York Times, and then Travis did his news report on it. I also liked how Carly's news article related to the book today, talking about how an American was accused of spying in Iran.  In the memoir, there was a photographer who was assumed to be a spy, and in the end she fell into a coma and ended up dying due to battering  (and possibly lack of medication.. which is besides the point..)

Good Book. Last post? Cheers & Jeers. 

Paper

For my final paper, I'm discussing guerrilla warfare in the Middle East. The average American does not understand the cultures of countries we have studied (Afghanistan, Iraq, Iran). And with all the turmoil America has endured while invading Iraq and Afghanistan, I think it is important to map out what exactly American soldiers (and other conventional armies like the Soviet Union in the 1980s) deal with. America has one of the most sophisticated, well trained, and heavily funded militant programs that outnumber most national superpowers. So how can smaller countries like Iraq and Afghanistan offer so much difficulty for American military? The unconventional strategy of guerrilla warfare is the key to this issue for conventional militaries.

There is a lot of research regarding this issue, which is obviously a good thing. I believe the best part of this research topic is getting inside the heads of both sides- The opposing army and the war guerrillas. Understanding the training, and the tactics will probably serve as a basis as well.