On this week’s program, we will look at the latest in the continuing standoff over Iran’s nuclear program. Yesterday, Iran gave a 23-page written response to an offer by the five permanent UN Security Council members plus Germany for trade and other concessions if it suspends the enrichment of uranium. The UN Security Resolution 1696 demands that Iran suspend uranium enrichment by the end of August, or face the prospect of economic sanctions. To discuss what is involved in this standoff as well as its ramifications for the U.S., Israel, Iran and the rest of the region, Shahram Aghamir speaks to Dr. Ervand Abrahamian and Dr. Mansour Farhang. Mansour Farhang is Professor of International Relations at Bennington College in Vermont. Ervand Abrahamian is Distinguished Professor of History at the City University of New York.
Later in the program, we will hear an interview with Bashir Anastas, Executive Director of the Arab Film Festival about the 10th festival that will be featuring more than 40 films in San Francisco, San Jose and Berkeley. The 2006 festival is scheduled to start on September 8th at the Roxie Cinema in San Francisco.