American Studies Seminar

The United States military aids for the Middle Eastern countries to contain (so called) Iran threat

2007-08-01T12:28:00.000-07:00

according to these days report: the entrance of U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Defense Secretary Robert Gates to the Middle East accompanied by the “U.S. unveils military-aid package for Middle East allies. The issue of the U.S. extension of military aid to Arab countries and Israel was announced in Egypt by Rice in order to contain Iran threat for the region. Moreover Rice told in conference in Sharm el-Sheikh "We have a lot of interests in common in this region, in the fight against terrorism and extremism, in protecting the gains of peace processes of the past, and in extending those gains to peace processes of the future" and endorsed the U.S. allies that they are going to be “reliable in helping them to meet their security needs”. Rice notified the arms aid in fact will be an effort to help “bolster the forces of moderation in the region” against "negative" influences of Al-Qaeda, Hezbollah, Syria, and Iran.
It is remarkable that, the military package that proposed includes $30 billion in assistance to Israel for over 10 years which indeed have increased about 25 percent on previous spending for supporting it as State Department called Israel's "military edge.” Furthermore $13 billion for Egypt and also $20 arms sales like missile-defense systems and ships to Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman and the United Arab Emirates. high amount of exporting such weapons caused the militarization of Middle East region and following to this matter the threat of spark of war fire vastly will increased. Yet the United States official who their states benefits from high level of sailing armament believe that this level of supporting by weapons to encounter the threat of Iran which is the most supporter of terrorist groups in Arabic countries seems necessary. And in better world that Mr Mottaki described this U.S. efforts to sell billions of dollars of weapons to regional countries is very 'opportunistic'.

The Introduction of my essay on

2007-07-31T22:57:00.000-07:00

American Women and Anti- War Activities

The impact of the United States and her allies attack to Iraq on the American women manifestation in anti-war and anti-millitarism campaign have been dramatic whereby they try to represent their opposition to the Iraq war roughly all days by each means.
In fact the rise of anti-militarism, anti-violence and anti-war movement of American women returns to high amount of women as target of harassment in the entire world. The base of all these harass activities against womankind are on social and political issues, not the private interactions between men and women, or within the family (L. Mladjenovic and D. Hughes, 1999); therefore it should be worked out by social and political solution.
In all wars, women are in the first part of victims which in different model are the object of abusing and massacres. The explicit instance of this case was in combats between residents with different ethnic origin in former Yugoslavia which women had put in target of hostile actions. Many Muslim and Croat Women were raped by Serb soldiers due to political intention which is also contained the arrangement of systematic rapes, genocides in order to ethnic cleansing in that war in Bosnia (ibid).
Yet today the circumstance of Iraqi woman is not better than Bosnians woman on those days. The women in Anglo sphere countries by becoming aware of Iraqi women situation because of their government invasion to iraq organised many demonstration or many groups to call for a new, democratic U.S. foreign policy and stop sending troops to there.
Accrding to the CODEPINK (Woman for Peace) report about the Iraqi women conditions, despite the rhetoric of the Bush administration that women’s level of life have improved since the fall down of Saddam Hussein, women are confronting a new series of challenges. They encounter every days violence, hardship and fear, and “their futures are more uncertain than ever”. These days, women in Iraq when coming out home encounter to “assault, kidnapping or death at the hands of suicide bombers, occupying forces, Iraqi police, radical religious groups, and local thugs”(N. Al Ali. 2005). As a matter of fact Iraqi women have suffered a high cost than men for the war and occupation of their country. The U.S. military tactics, as the CODEPINK report notify, “have also victimized women and their families—displacing them from their homes, subjecting them to aerial assaults, and occasionally using them as bargaining chips in exchange for suspected male insurgents”(Marjorie P. Lasky).
Besid all forms of womankind humuliation by American military personnel, the high amount of American solideres casulties caused many women gatherd in different organization like Women’s Soliderity Against War or “Women Praying for Peace” which via internet try to globally announce the necessity of stopping the war and calling for the withdrawal of all foreign forces from Iraq and necessity of peace negotiations that incorporate women into the peacemaking process and force to the countries that have destroyed Iraq’s economy and infrastructure pay for its reconstruction by Iraqis.

Anyway it is important to note that, as Cynthia Cockburn the member of Department of Sociology in London mentioned these vast participations of women -not only in the United States but also in all of the world- in peace movements do not drive to women's nature that we're naturally empathetic, caring and peacemakers Whereas for every woman in pro-peace program there's another who's cheering on the troops (C.Cockburn.2003). The abhorrence of war between females relies on ‘Different experiences of [their] life’ which has also caused differences between the sexes. The women’s experience of disadvantage and inequality as a sex in most social classes and most countries brings them sometimes together to confront to this matters and oppress to violence perpetrated by men whether in peace or in war time.

Seven hour between the United States and Iran

2007-07-25T05:44:00.000-07:00

The second rounds of negotiation between the United States and Islamic republic of Iran finished yesterday while some other series of negotiations in the Middle East has taken place about peace and prevent of terrorist operation in Afghanistan and in occupied land by meeting of Tony Belair with Mahmoud Abbas and Ehoud Olmert.
This regional space of negotiation intensifies the peace dream in the Middle East although it seems these talks will have little practical resumes. Yet the important points is the coordination and adaptation of two opponents on one issue i.e. Iraq crisis that might lead to call for further discussions and terminate the long diplomatic freeze between two countries.
According to Reuters in Crocker- Kazemi Qomi talks - The United States accused Iran increasing support for militias involved in bloodshed in Iraq. In spite of these tensional issues, Crocker proposition to set up a panel to improve security in Iraq with Tehran and implication of US wants that Tehran play a positive role in Iraq seems rare sign of progressive cooperation. Of course, the negative and destroyable role of Taliban which want to U.S –Iran communication lead to military invasion of U.S. to Iran is remarkable. It is necessary to explain that The Taliban who by their brutal operations confronts Shiite groups and American soldiers try to represent Iran as blame of civil war in Iraq.

Dr Abbasi concern:

2007-07-25T05:13:00.000-07:00

The contribution of immigration to the United States population and the ethnic mosaic of the US population

"What then is the American, this new man? He is either a European, or the descendant of a European, hence that strange mixture of blood, which you will find in no other country. I could point out to you a family whose grandfather was an Englishman, whose wife was Dutch, whose son married a French woman, and whose present four sons have now four wives of different nations. . . Here individuals of all nations are melted into a new race of men, whose labours and posterity will one day cause great changes in the world."
-- Michel St. John De Crevecoeur (1782)

Iintroduction:
Through three elements of fertility or birth rate (children per woman), mortality (the death rate, which has been steadily decreasing in the U.S.) and net immigration (immigration minus emigration) in trends of progress the United States population, the immigration factor seems more highlight in this country in comparison to other countries(susps.org). Immigration has affected in this cases in tow ways, on the one hand immigration to the United States directly rise the range of population, in the other hand different cultures and customs regard to circumstance of life, these immigrants flow in to, impressed whole life habit in the U.S..
As a matter of fact the essence of American society has originated of ethical groups blend which have been coming to America in different periods of the United States history. America is built by a hundred different ethnic groups;

The United States, The Blend Of Ethnical Groups

American history is the history of its ethnicities who immigrated to America. The first immigrants in American history which came from England and the Netherlands impacted on the later American identity and culture as original. Yet in fact, the American core of culture has not shown just British presence, others who dramaticly come to the U.S were effective too, like German, Hispanic or Greeks. Moreover the Native Americans who lived in America are still inhabitant of the new world. Blacks or African American that had taken as slaves in primary century of American existence are other intensive ethnical group of the U.S.
But meanwhile, the important point is, perception of these ethnical group thought and values. if these ethnical thought have melted to the core American culture as Israel Zangwill said become part of “melting pot” or in other hand they mixed but not melted as salad bowl?!
Whether we should still believe Israel theme that had mentioned: “all immigrants can be transformed into Americans, a new alloy forged in a crucible of democracy, freedom and civic responsibility”. Or we should consider the new waves in American culture which challenge with new immigrants.
Today, the United States is experiencing its second great wave of immigration, a movement of people that has profound implications for a society that by tradition pays homage to its immigrant roots at the same time it confronts complex and deeply ingrained ethnic and racial divisions.
The immigrants of today come not from Europe but overwhelmingly from the still developing world of Asia and Latin America. The are driving a demographic shift so rapid that within the lifetimes of today's teenagers, no ethnic group – including whites of European descent – will comprise a majority of the nation's population.
This shift, according to social historians, demographers and others studying the trends, will severely test the premise of the fabled melting pot, the idea, so central to American identity, that this country can transform people of every color and background into "one America."
In this case, James J. Zogby`s research, America still an ethnic mosaic is remarkable which he chose groups collectively make up 40 per cent of American society for his study. African Americans and Hispanics each represent more than 12 per cent of the country. Italian Americans are another 10 percent. And Asian, Jewish and Arab Americans combine for six percent of the US population.The important point is the thought of members of these distinct ethnic groups whther know them selves as an American or not?!.
“ethnicity remains an important factor in shaping people's self-definition” was the conclusion of Zogby research. More than 85 per cent of all of the individuals in his study express their pride in their ethnic heritage; this includes those who are second and third generation Americans. this heritage, and the shared sense of history, culture and concerns that it represents, does, in fact, have a measurable impact on attitudes.
When more than four in five say that they are proud of their heritage, and when one-third to two-thirds of all of the respondents say that this heritage is very important to their self-definition, then ethnic pride and identification are strongest among immigrants, and only somewhat less strong among college-educated and wealthier native-born Americans, the pull of this force remains quite strong.More than 50 per cent of all of our respondents retain a “strong emotional tie” to the land of their “heritage”, and almost 20 per cent of those surveyed send money to family in the countries of their background. Instead of a “melting-pot”, America can best be described, as Jesse Jackson would say, as “a mosaic” or a carpet woven of many colours and patterns. While there is an American culture and there are shared American values, this study shows that these coexist with strong distinct ethnic identities that remain a vital factor in shaping values. This matter was very important for policy-maker in the U.S to change their process of decision on immigration problem. Immigrants from many other countries flocked to the United States and was increased their population during 1892-1924. Between 1820 and 1979, the United States admitted more than 49 million immigrants (Public Affairs/ Information Resource Centers.2006). For instance the danger of third wave of immigrant was to some extent that Huntington in his book “Who Are We” hinted to their differentiation to the core culture of America. He points out, the rise of immigrants illegally (Hispanics) could potentially result in a bi-national country with widespread social and political divisions; it also might be ''threat to America's societal security,'' and snidely adds that ''Mexican-Americans will share'' in the American dream '' which was only in English.
According to NPG demographic analysis of age distribution, fertility, and mortality data shows that if there had been no immigration to the U.S. since 1990, the population in 2000 would have been 262 million - 19 million less than the 281 million counted. Thus, post-1990 immigrants and their children accounted for 61% of U.S. population growth during the last decade (susps.org). The threat of rise of immigrant to the United States and worse than it, their un-adaptation to the American culture, caused some decisions to stabilize the U.S. population; whereupon since 1972 some population commissions like the President's Commission on Population Growth and the American Future, headed by John D. Rockefeller III, and the Select Commission on Population, headed by Father Theodore Hesburgh, president of Notre Dame, concurred to surveyed the necessity of stabilization the U.S. population and that immigration policy would have to respect this demographic reality (Elbel. Fre).
Conclusion:
Any how, at least 70% of U.S projected population growth this century will be caused by mass immigration - that is by recent immigrants and their descendents which after 1965 Amendments to the Immigration and Nationality Act - Congressional immigration policy changes- came to the U.S. the stabilization of population come to be important for Americans who do not love the increase of big cities beside to these 94 existing big cities, who like to live in suburbia without apartment towers and who love to have uni- national uni-lingual and coordinated society which under the United States flag turn in to one nation who knows themselves as American.

Reference

C.N. Le, Asian-Nation, Landscape Of Asian America, May 2006, Asian-Nation Asian American History, Demographics, & Issues Assimilation & Ethnic Identity.htm

David M. Reimers, ‘Unwelcome Strangers American Identity and the Turn Against Immigration’, September, 1998, Columbia University Press .

Dinerstein. Marti, ‘America's Identity Crisis’, April 2002, Center for Immigration Studies.htm.

Lehrman, Myth and Memory in the American Identity. Restoring America's National Identity.htm

McClay, Wilfred M , ‘Myth and Memory in the American Identity, November 28, 2005,

U.S. Diplomatic Mission to Germany /Public Affairs/ Information Resource Centers. U.S. Society > A Nation of Immigrants.(2006) http://usa.usembassy.de/society.htm

Support US Population Stabilization - Support a Comprehensive Sierra Club Population Policy. http://www.susps.org/overview/immigration.html

Tacoma, Wash. Letter: Overpopulated. http://www.dailyastorian.info/main.asp?SectionID=23&SubSectionID=393&ArticleID=43979&TM=22496.59

Williams.JB, ‘America’s Identity Crisis’, 2005-09-15, America’s Identity Crisis.htm.

Utilization of soft power in representing one nation as an evil

2007-07-24T01:00:00.000-07:00

Nowadays “the means to success in world politics" is epitomized in soft power. As a matter of fact, Soft power is the ability to get what you want through attraction.
It is true that one obvious source of global hegemony is military might, but influence to others at the present time just by might is not possible. For instance, as Josef Juffe point out, U.S.'s main asset in the rivalry with Europe is not 'hard power' like” guns, ships and planes but is 'soft power,' as the U.S. political scientist Joseph Nye calls it. 'Soft power' is Harvard and Hollywood, McDonald's and Microsoft. In fact “the stuff of temptation not menaces” and “Seduction is always more effective than coercion, and many values like democracy and human rights, and individual opportunities are deeply seductive."
The element of soft power which can affected the other nation in favor of user of such power is not slight; Movies, anime (animated films), ideas, ideology, and language are often cited as concrete examples of soft power. Moreover many regard the English language as more explicit one which attracts people to learn it due to its function in the decision-making process of international politics and even commercial interests. Any way as the importance of soft power manifested on people’s idea, so language as a means of communicating ideas with the other ideas become more dramatic.
After the language the effective elements in achieve to goal of soft power is media. Hundreds of millions of people around the world wear, listen, eat, drink, watch, and dance American due to their utilizing American TV program, American film and propagandas which design from American culture. American culture is revealed along with dynamic economy that the United States possesses and of course broadcasting of this culture has achievements for the American economic interests.
Therefore the most important center which spreads American culture or inflicts the opponent of this culture is Hollywood which by means of movies utilizes the capacity of soft power. This issue in the shadow of globalization is more simple and sharp. Because of globalize Hollywood from the 1950s through the 1970s, Hollywood earned about 30% of its money overseas; this is means Hollywood successes in attracting Asian and in fact entire the world.
Therefore this global cinema by representing what they say true or wrong help to socialize people or in fact Americanize people. They destruct the feature of nation which opponent with their values, by this ability that affect the people by they films.
One of this incentive film which targeted people in Persia is 300. The plot of film is designed to represent all the bad characteristic that we know in modern society Persian had had and they were full scale evil. Humiliation of women, attack to other without reason and just because of their ambition, vast scale of violence, use of mass destruction (the means like giant elephant or other existed things that destruct many),
The content of film is representing of one war between Persians and Greeks which is the symbol of western civilization. On the one hand, there were the Persians with a military made up largely of slave conscripts and bent on conquest. On the other, there were Spartan and Thespian citizen soldiers defending their freedom.
This film which confront different critical reviews in North America which has a 61% approval rating from listed critics and 49% from its "Cream of the Crop and 34% resulting in "Mixed or Average Reviews" status. This result meanes how this film by its epical space, by its affective music among the context of film was effective; not just for American but also other nationality like I as Persian when saw the film, hope to win the Leonidos wins the war and eradicates (our symbol of our civilization the Persian king) Xerxes. They beautifully show the war between good and evil and represent us as an evil how brutally waged the war to the western civilization.

Presidential Candidate’s approach to Attack to Iran

2007-04-21T14:45:00.000-07:00

The interesting point in presidential judgment and declaration about Iran is the issue of supporting Israel along with attack to Iran by military option.
As the Israeli people have had challenge with Islamic Republic of Iran because of their declaring base on swiping out of them from world and also by under questioning Holocaust and other issues, for them is very important to know the Presidential candidate trends to deal to this concerns. So it was predictable that all candidates completely announced their interest to continue their allayment to Israel and not refuse the possibility of military attack to their most important enemy because their power in election 2008 is unavoidable, so both Democrats and Republican candidates wants not to miss Jewish power while they does not refuse any military attack to Iran.
For instance, Sen. Barack Obama(Democrat) in his facing to pro-Israel crowd at a downtown hotel have said “use of military force should not be taken off the table when dealing with Iran”, which he called Iran is "a threat to all of us."(Chicago Sun-Times, 3 Mar).
In the other hand, Hillary Clinton an other democrats candidate has the same opinion about the solution to dealing to Iran like Obama, but it seems that she treat more conservatively than past to prevent any prejudgment about pro-war debates.
It is remarkable that Democrat candidates similar to their rivals in Republican Party seriously backed United States- Israel relationship.
Moreover both popular rivals in republican party who are also backed by Jewish power do not want missing this powerful supporter which is very important in 2008 election, so both of them Giuliani and McCain support Israel and introduce Iran as a dangerous threat.
McCain, who has had a solid pro-Israel record, has been outspoken about isolating Iran as long as it poses a nuclear threat. Besides Giuliani called the Persian Gulf nation a threat to Israel, and it is remarkable he notice the threat of Iran in probable giving nuclear weapons to terrorists (http://www.nysun.com)./
It is obvious that both parties’ rivals obviously by backing Israel and considering the military option as final tool in order to halt the Iranian nuclear activities followed more financial protection Jewish capitalist.

Rise of oil Prices due to Iran’s concerns

2007-04-21T14:31:00.000-07:00

According to news, crude oil prices in London rose because of new concerns over Iran's nuclear ambitions. Moreover other matters like capture of British sailor in Iran and all followed stories impact on the Iran – Britain relations caused these trends of increasing oil prices.
Though as commentator insist “Iran's nuclear program lent support to prices after falls earlier in this week”, “The trends of price losses were halted on Wednesday after a U.N. nuclear watchdog document said Iran, defying the United Nations, had begun making nuclear fuel under ground” (Reuters, 17 April); this is indicate Iranian effects on what I want to hint as other oil shock or in general words a limited but influential energy crisis by probable bombarding Iran.
As matter of fact the circumstance of United States and Britain’s confrontation to Iran by considering Military option is caused eliminating the status quo in energy matters.
The American officials seriously in their crucial lectures or jokingly in their declaration about Iran like Republican presidential candidate John McCain speak about bombing Iran at presidential campaign. These matters regarding to full scale engagement of Middle East in each attack that might oppose to Iran, might bring about Energy or in fact oil crisis.
Maybe prediction of such crisis instigate President Bush discusses Energy Initiatives in Missouri in March 20 base on reducing America's Dependence on Oil by reducing America's gasoline consumption by 20 percent over the next 10 years and providing consensus on solving this American problem as President said. Also President Bush announced that reducing Our Oil Dependence Is Part of Our Broader Energy Strategy
It seems important to add since the President Bush took office, the Federal Government has invested $12 billion to more reliable energy sources (white house.gov, March26).

The Other Shock and Awe

2007-03-31T11:34:00.000-07:00

World Envisage the Other War

Following to Iranian insist on continuing their activities on nuclear program, Security Council by more American pressure imposed new harsh sanctions which of course adopted unanimously. According to their announcement the resolution gives Tehran two months to cease its nuclear program, and if Iran wouldn’t heed to this ultimatum the world is bracing for the increasing likelihood of a military strike against Iran.
As we witness despite of some spark of hopping to improvement of relationship between United States and Iran following to come some pro peace group to Iran, we can expected with these ultimatums that global society roughly adapted to idea of limiting Iranian nuclear activities to more isolation of Iran and discordance of it to this resolution and in other side probable military strike to Iran. This shocking circumstance to Iranian people along with Rumors point to this matter that “almost all of the world's leading powers are concerned about an upcoming evacuation of their citizens from Iran were flying at the end of last week even before the adoption in New York of UN Security Council resolution 1747” cause more worriment to Iranian people in sniffing an other war against them regard to incorrect policies in the world especially President Bush orientation against Iran.
Any way as is perceived Iranian official do not attention to ultimatum of Security Council in ceasing their right in nuclear aspect and in other hand according to “Pentagon chief Robert Gates said that America's participation in more than five years of war in Afghanistan and Iraq does not mean that the US will not find the wherewithal to pursue another large-scale military campaign” we can unfortunately expect unavoidability of the other war if circumstances romaine.

http://washingtontimes.com/upi/20070325-052414-7380r
http://www.kommersant.com/p753112/r_527/Iran,_Russia,_war,_UN_sanctions/

The Rise of American Fascism and its Impact on War Against Iran

2007-03-28T08:21:00.000-07:00

Some people believe that we should see America as new Rome under the current leadership in Washington and the World is witnessing American fascism in action who is the enemy of freedom and of all the rights of mankind (worldfuture.info).
Any way for displaying one regime as fascistic regime defined 14 characteristics. I choose part of these factors that concerns to explain American Fascism and its rise in Bush Administration.
These are included in Fascism attention to make powerful Nationalism by use of patriotic mottos, slogans, symbols, songs, and other paraphernalia. Flags are seen everywhere, as are flag symbols on clothing and in public displays.
The other factor disdains to recognition of human rights Because of fear of enemies and the need for security. They utilize some instruments like torture, summary executions, assassinations, long incarcerations of prisoners for maintaining their security.
The other important factor is Attention and put disproportionate amount of government funding to achieve Supremacy in the Military are more rather than attention to important domestic agenda in these regimes. as we witness in U.S today The military option turned into the core element in the US foreign policy and even are guided internal policies in order to frighten the press, the independent bodies and the people in general.
Controlling Mass Media directly and indirectly in censorship by these governments is very common, especially in war time as we see in this period more than other time in United States. As many news sites which have worried about their future in U.S “lot of newspapers in the US are today worst than the newspapers in 'banana republics' that still exists in parts of Asia and Africa. News Editors, Journalists and even Internet media reporters are not free to say what they want to say. American journalists have lost the beauty of being journalists and the flair of being free to talk and to write. This is where one can understand the where America is heading and the path taken by Washington to kill freedom from within America is the path to the descent to hell”.
Strengthen of National Security as a motivational tool for the sake of fear over the masses
And moreover manipulating public opinion by using common religion in the nation is another characteristic of these regimes.
But the important character that is highlight in the issue of American Fascism in Bush era is the influence and protection of big corporation especially military complex. The power of owner of these industries causes their influence in government by putting the government leaders into power and creating a mutually beneficial business/government relationship and power elite. So when these group or their friends come to power try to spark some war without ending to selling more weapons and getting more benefits regardless of circumstances of people who miss their life because of these trends.
Regarding these explanations some scholars compare Both Bush the father and the junior with fascist administration.
The Bush ancestor who were connected with important part of United State economy have always had prominent role in decision-making process in United States. Their impact on Railroad industry with Rockefeller family or their cooperation with Draper family in the case of helping Saddam in Iraq– Iran war by their influence in banking system were some instance with fascistic approach of these group. Sofar Gorge W Bush in following of these trends, formed the new enemy i.e. Muslims. And in this case have targeted tow Islamic countries in excuse of preventing Terrorism. And now is being sniffed the spark of other war with other Islamic country in excuse of threat American interests, Iran. I don’t know how can justify all of this war according to interest of one nation i.e. America while this nation itself are the direct victim of these issue too. In this case can’t we claim just existence of some invisible or in other better word visible and influential hand that are instrumental behalf of these wars like starting an other war with Iran?

For more information about American Fascism:
http://www.worldfutures.info/portal/911/a-new-rome---signs-of-american-fascism.html
http://www.spiritone.com/~gdy52150/1920sp7.html
http://www.populistamerica.com/homegrown_american_fascism
http://www.populistamerica.com/homegrown_american_fascism___part_ii