At times it seemed as if there would be a breakthrough in the negotiations with Iran on its nuclear program, but apparently there was no agreement reached in Geneva. Both sides (the P5+1 and Iran) seem to agree that substantial progress had been made, but that important differences remain. Reports seem to indicate that France was the power that was not satisfied that there were sufficient guarantees that Iran could not at some point develop a nuclear weapon. At this point it is not clear exactly what the issues were, but I am sure that we will find out soon. Talks are scheduled to restart in 10 days. In the meantime, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu has urged the American public to reject the deal. The failure of the talks is potentially very dangerous. If Iran decides that there is no possibility of a negotiated settlement, then there is no reason for it to return to the table.
Malala Yousafzai is a powerful advocate for the education of girls, and her legitimacy as an advocate is unquestioned after her attempted assassination by the Pakistan Taliban. Last October she released a memoir entitled I Am Malala. The All Pakistan Private Schools Management Association, with about 40,000 affiliated schools in Pakistan, has banned the book from its curriculum. The head of the Association claimed that Yousafzai is “a tool in the hands of the Western powers.”
African workers in Saudi Arabia have protested against a crackdown on illegal workers in the Kingdom. The protests have led to violence as the workers, who are treated very poorly to begin with, are threatened with expulsion. The problem of guest workers in all the Persian Gulf countries has been a constant irritant, but the workers really have few opportunities in their home countries. Their treatment in the Gulf states has been exploitative and precarious.
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