Behind the Headlines/Nov 29

In tonight’s program of Behind the Headlines we regret to announce the sudden passing away of the famous Iranian comedian Alireza Rezaie in Paris.

He was a popular Iranian figure among the exiled community and will be badly missed by his family and friends.

Tonight we will discuss the following issues with our guests, writer and researcher Nasser Shahinpar and political commentator Sadeq Zibakalam who is currently in the city of Shiraz:

The consequences of US sanctions on Iran and its European allies;

Ali Akbar Salehi of Iran’s Atomic Energy Organisation has warned the Europeans that Iran’s patience is running thin with their delay in implementing economic benefits of the nuclear deal;

The workers strikes continue in major Iranian industries but the regime refuses to address their demands;

And is the Islamic republic regime reformable?

Nasser Shahinpar:

Iranians have had many period of leaving their motherland and live in exile. Once upon a time they used to do this on horses, but nowadays they arrive in airplanes in Western countries.

There are more than 8 million Iranians who live abroad now after having found outthat they no longer wish to or can live in their birthplace.

We all know hat has happened to Iran and the Iranians in the last 40 years and we all share the same grievances that are lack of freedom, persecution of civil and political activists, and lawlessness that rule the country.

Sadeq Zibakalam:

Some of our best brains have left Iran for political considerations but many others have left as economic migrants and sought refuge in foreign countries.

It would not be an exaggeration to say may be 6 million Iranians have fled thecountry over the last 40 years.

Even under the Trump government many of our talented and educated elites have applied to immigrate to US or European countries or Canada and Australia.

There is no way we could quantify the losing value of these individuals and everywhere the go they add that value to their host countries.