iran bulletin - Middle East Forum
iran bulletin has transformed. iran bulletin began publication in 1993 as a journal of the left dealing with issues of Iran and the Middle East from a democratic, secular and socialist perspective. The journal was always aware that the democratic movement in Iran could not expand or survive in isolation from similar movements in the Middle East and the world. It opened its pages to the Iranian and non-Iranian left in order to act as an English language forum for democratic and progressive forces.
iran bulletin - Middle East Forum has now expanded its editorial board to include well known figures on the left from outside Iran and Iranians not associated with any political organisation. Its pages and web site will reflect the broad debate on the issues threatening the democratic, secular and socialist prospects in the Middle East – defined broadly as North Africa, the Middle East, Central Asia, and the Indian Subcontinent. This area has today become a flash point of struggle – suffocated on the one hand by the “new world order” and on the other with various reactionary and obscurantist alternatives. In this space the voice of the left, that of the enlightenment and that of an egalitarian and participatory socialist future have been drowned.
IB-MEF will be editorially completely independent of any present or future political organisation in Iran and the Middle East. This is essential if it is to fulfil its mission.
We invite contributions to its pages from anyone who subscribes to the ideals of iran bulletin- Middle East Forum: democracy, secularism and participatory socialism.
We are particularly interested in debates round the following issues:
· Issues surrounding the creation The formation of a Middle East Social Forum Against War and for Democracy. What do we understand by this? What are its advantages and disadvantages? Who can participate? What practical issues need to be considered? What are the impediments? What is the global experience?
· Imperialism and war in the Middle East after September 11.
· Globalisation, structural changes and the working class in the Middle East.
· Globalisation, the destitute and the urban marginalised in the Middle East.
· Globalisation and the nation-state in the Middle East.
· Conservative religious, nationalist and ethnic movements in the Middle East.
· The Middle East and the labour movement.
· The Middle East and the women's movement.
· The Middle East and the socialist movement.
· The Middle East, oil and the environment.
· The Middle East and democracy.
· The Middle East and human rights.
· The Middle East and transnational and supra-national NGOs.
· The reform movement in Iran: its relation to democracy, political freedoms, women, the national question, secularism, the economy, etc.
Co-editors
Mehdi Kia
Yassamine Mather
Ardeshir Mehrdad