GEP - Current Events Email - April 1, 2009

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Dear Educator:

Each month World Savvy will post current events resources for one topic, with links for articles at varying reading levels, a list of relevant standards, and discussion questions and curriculum that can be used to teach about the issues covered by that news story. For more in-depth current events resources, please preview and subscribe to our World Savvy Monitor, www.monitor.worldsavvy.org.

President Obama Reaches Out to Iran

In recognition of the Persian New Year, President Obama sent a video message to Iran calling for ’a new beginning’ in US-Iranian relations. In this unprecedented direct message to the Iranian people and leaders of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the New US President called for engagement grounded between the two nations in mutual respect. This message, accompanied by praise of the Persian traditions of art, music, literature, and innovation, sharply contrasts the previous administration’s anti-Iranian rhetoric. While many obstacles remain, Obama’s message, as well as a video message from Israeli President Shimon Peres, marks a beginning of direct diplomacy between the West and Iran.

Advanced Article: Washington Post
Intermediate Article: New York Times
Beginning Article: BBC News

Background and Multimedia:
NPR: Rethinking Iran: Perceptions on US-Iran Relations - NPR
Link TV: Short documentaries on contemporary Iran - LinkTV
Analysis from BBC - BBC

Discussion Questions:

1. What was President Obama’s message to Iran?
2. How did the message of Israeli President Peres differ from Obama’s message?
3. What are some examples of how Obama’s approach differs from President Bush’s approach?
4. How did the European Union react?
5. What was the reaction from the Iranian government?
6. Iranian Government officials say the US can strengthen its ties with Iran through fundamental changes in US policy. They call for an end to US sanctions against Iran and reversing support for Israel. Do you think these are reasonable requests? Why or why not?
7. What are the arguments for engaging with Iran? What are the arguments against engaging with Iran? Which side is more convincing? Why?

Curriculum:

1. Frontline: Showdown with Iran: Fontline
2. PBS Newshour Extra: International Forum on Iran’s Nuclear Program: PBS
3. Choices Program: The U.S. and Iran: Confronting Policy Alternatives: The Choices Program

California Standards:

Government: 12.9 Ð Comparative Government

U.S. History: 11.9 - Foreign Policy post-WWII

World History: 10.10 Ð Contemporary Nation Building

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