Arabic Video News in English

The recent anti-government demonstrations in Iran have once again highlighted its stakr political divisions. The country remanis tense after clashes between security forces and tens of thousands of opposition supporters in December. Eight people died on Ashura, one of the holiest days in the Shia Muslim calendar. Iran has been simmering since protests erupted after Mahmoud Ahmadinejad won the disputed Presidential elections in June. The pro-reformist opposition called the vote fraudulent but Irans government blamed western powers especially the U.S., UK and Israel for orchestrating those protests.

In this episode of Riz Khan we ask, how far will the Iranian government go in dealing with this ongoing politcial crisis? And what role, if any, should the international community play? Joinnig the conservation is Iranian-American journalist and writer Azadeh Moaveni, author of the book "Honeymoon in Tehran" about life under Mahmoud Ahmadienjad. Also with us is poltiical analyst Soraya Sepahpour-Ulrich and former U.S. diplomat Hillary Mann-Leverett, who presently heads Straetga, a political risk consultancy that works on Middle East issues.

The new airport security measures introduced by the US government are already coming under fire. Full-body pat downs, extra luggage scrutiny as well as mandatory body scanning, have all been proposed. They are a response to the foiled bombing of an US airliner on Christmas Day but have been criticised as an overtly political reaction to the attepmt. While its impact is worldwide, it will be felt more by citizens of Cuba, Iran, Sudan and Syria, all labelled "state sponsors of terrorism". Those assoicated with 10 other countries designated by the US as "of interest" such as Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan can also expect the special treatment. Washington’s decision has triggered complaints from anti-discrimination gruops who say President Obama’s response to security threats amounts to little more than racila profiling. But defenders of the policy say it is designed to keep the skies safe, and is a careful way of targetnig those who are most likely to pose a threat.

This week on One on One, Riz Khan hears the remarkable story of one of Europe’s most interesting royals.

This week on One on One, Riz Khan hears the rmearkable story of one of Europe’s most interesting royals.

Arab Americans have been in the U.S. since before its founding but are often treated with suspicion. On this episode of Riz Khan we look at the challenges facing many arab americans today and ask a bigger question: It is often said that Amreica is a nation of immigrants but what does it take to actually become American and succeed?