Far-Right Parties Win Big in Europe

The far-right scored a major victory in France and throughout Europe in the elections for the European Parliament.  

“When there is such a vote in France, a founding member of the European Union — when one in four vote for the (far-right) National Front, yes, there is a problem,” said French President Hollande. “This is not just a problem for France, but a problem for Europe.” (The New York Times, 27 May)

European presidents and prime ministers met in Brussels on Tuesday to assess the fallout from the election, in which centrist political parties lost ground to fringe groups in country after country.

The mainstream parties “are all in a disaster because they have not done their job,” said Jean-Paul Fitoussi, an economics professor at the Institut d’Études Politiques de Paris. “They have not found a solution to the problem of France, which is to recover, to have employment and growth.” (NTTimes, 27 May)

In France, 31 percent of voters surveyed by Harris Interactive cited immigration, the rallying point for the far right across the Continent, as their central concern. But nearly as many cited declining purchasing power, the crisis in the euro zone or rising unemployment.

Photo credit: Marine Le Pen’s party, the National Front, earned a stark victory in European Parliament elections. (European Pressphoto Agency/NYTimes)

Imam Khomeini International Airport Hotel, under construction

Visible now at a latter stage of construction: the Imam Khomeini International Airport Hotel. Encompassing a gross development area of 48,000 m2, IKIA hotel promises to fulfill a hospitality requirement for an expanding airport.

Left side facade detail for this view of Imam Khomeini International Airport Hotel

Right side facade detail for this view of Imam Khomeini International Airport Hotel

Rendering for this view of a completed Imam Khomeini International Airport Hotel

Opposite view facade for Imam Khomeini International Airport Hotel

Opposite view facade detail for Imam Khomeini International Airport Hotel

Rendering for this view of a completed Imam Khomeini International Airport Hotel

Lobby and furnishing detail for Imam Khomeini International Airport Hotel

Lobby and furnishing detail for Imam Khomeini International Airport Hotel

First floor interior detail for Imam Khomeini International Airport Hotel

First floor interior detail for Imam Khomeini International Airport Hotel

First floor interior detail for Imam Khomeini International Airport Hotel

Food court interior detail for Imam Khomeini International Airport Hotel

Food court interior detail for Imam Khomeini International Airport Hotel

Food court interior detail for Imam Khomeini International Airport Hotel

Food court interior detail for Imam Khomeini International Airport Hotel

Wash room interior detail for Imam Khomeini International Airport Hotel

Photos: Tarh va Afarinesh Architectural and Engineering Consultants

Zarif, Ashton Hold Surprise Meeting in Istanbul

Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif and EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton arrived in Istanbul on Monday morning for unannounced talks on the nuclear agreement. They have already held their first meeting and there are indications that the talks could resume on Tuesday.

Today Zaman, quoting diplomatic sources, reported that the two discussed “common problems.” (Today Zaman, 26 May)

After talks with Ashton, Zarif will go to Algeria to attend a Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) ministerial meeting

Iran and P5+1 are working towards the 20 July deadline to complete an accord; however, the talks stalled on 16 May meet, denting hopes that the July target date could be met.

Photo credit: Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif and EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton (Mehr News Agency) 

UPDATE: Zarif and Ashton will meet again on Tuesday at 9:00 AM Istanbul time. 

Khamenei Speaks Against Detente with the West

Calls Iranians Promoting Compromise ‘Traitors’

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei today gave a forceful and at times angry speech against détente with the West. He called those who promote compromise “traitors.” He also labeled the U.S. and its allies as “evil” and “anti-human.”

Khemeni made the comments at a speech to members of Majlis, the Iranian parliament, who had gathered at the Leadership House. He later tweeted main parts of his speech.

“Those who encourage compromise… are indeed guilty of treason,” Khamenei said. (Twitter, 25 May)

He also told members of Majlis that the Islamic Republic would only be able to achieve its goals through combatting the West. He made it clear that the “combat” is endless and defines the essence of the regime.

“We cannot achieve the elevated goals of the Islamic system without the continuation of the idea of combating (the West), Khamenei told MP's. (Press TV, 25 May)

Khamenei went as far as saying that confronting the “arrogant front” (U.S. and its Western allies) was the only way to resist the “anti-human” drive by the West.

Khamenei added that the struggle against “evil powers” would end only after the world “rids itself of the camp of arrogance led by U.S.” He did not elaborate what he meant by getting rid of the U.S. camp.

“The reason behind the emphasis on combatting (the West) is not the Islamic establishment’s warmongering, but wisdom and logic necessitate that one equip oneself in order to pass through a region swarming with pirates, and have the ability and motivation to defend oneself,” Khamenei added.

Khamenei did not elaborate what types of equipment Iran would need for “combatting” the West and pass through the region “swarmed with pirates.”

In his twitter account today, Khamenei also added a large poster with the script saying: “Be Angry with U.S. and Die in Your Anger!” (Twitter, 25 May)

Photo credit: Twitter/@khamenei_ir

Obama in Afghanistan

On the eve of Memorial Day, President Barack Obama arrived in Afghanistan to visit U.S. soldiers. Upon arrival at Bagram Airfield, the president held a briefing with General Joseph Dunford, the commander of U.S. and allied forces in Afghanistan, Ambassador James Cunningham and other senior U.S. military and civilian leaders in the country.

Obama then spoke to about 3,000 American troops gathered in a hanger at Bagram and thanked them for their service.

Obama also talked on the phone with Afghan President Hamid Karzai for about 15 minutes.

“Once Afghanistan has sworn in its new president, I’m hopeful we will sign a bilateral security agreement that lets us move forward,” Obama said. “And with that bilateral security agreement, assuming it is signed, we can plan for a limited military presence in Afghanistan beyond 2014.” (NYTimes, 25 May)

Top photo: President Obama spoke to troops during his visit to Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan. (Doug Mills/The New York Times)

Bottom photo: President Obama attended a briefing with the ambassador to Afghanistan, James Cunningham, left, commander of U.S. forces, General Joseph Dunford, and Susan E. Rice just after arriving at Bagram Airfield. (Doug Mills/The New York Times)

Poroshenko Apparent Victor in Ukraine Election

Ukrainian business tycoon Petro Poroshenko has claimed victory in the country's presidential election. Exit polls show that he will receive 55% of the vote.

Announcing his victory, Poroshenko promised to forge closer links with the EU and restore peace in restive eastern regions, where pro-Russian separatists disrupted voting. Poroshenko has also said he would never recognize Russia's annexation of Crimea.

The apparent president-elect promised he would support a parliamentary election in the country later this year.

Photo credit: Petro Poroshenko, expected to win Ukraine’s presidency (Reuters)

NEZAJA 'Beit al-Moqaddas 26' exercise (2)

Day two of NEZAJA 'Beit al-Moqaddas' 26 exercises held at the Maranjab Desert in Isfahan Province. Above: NEZAJA M60A1 main battle tank firing 105 mm M68 main armament.

Lineup of NEZAJA T-72S main battle tanks

Lineup detail of T-72S main battle tanks

One the move: T-72S main battle tank and Sepehr tactical vehicle towing ZU-23-2 anti-aircraft twin autocannon

Left to right: T-72S main battle tank, Sepehr tactical vehicle towing ZU-23-2 anti-aircraft twin autocannon and BMP-2 infantry fighting vehicle.

FV101 Scorpion armored reconnaissance vehicle and BMP-2 infantry fighting vehicle

Firing exercise for NEZAJA Safir light tactical vehicle mounting M40 recoilless rifle

Firing exercise for ZU-23-2 anti-aircraft twin autocannon

Motorized MANPADS team equipped with 9K32 “Strela-2"

Firing exercise for 9K32 “Strela-2" MANPADS

Firing exercise for DShK 12.7 mm heavy machine gun

IRIAF Chengdu FT-7N Airguard, possible serial 3-7719

Pair of IRIAF Chengdu FT-7 type Airtguards, possible serials 3-7719 and 3-7721

Pair of IRIAF Chengdu FT-7 type Airguards approaching exercise field

Pair of IRIAF Chengdu FT-7 type Airguards departing exercise field

IRIAA Bell AH-1J International Cobra (209), serial 3-4506 (cn 26606)

Approach of IRIAA Bell AH-1J International Cobra (209)

IRIAA Bell (Agusta) AB-206B JetRanger II helicopter

IRIAA Bell 214A Isfahan medium lift helicopter at exercise LZ

IRIAA and NEZAJA personnel moving a Ghods Mohajer-2 unmanned aerial vehicle

IRIAA and NEZAJA personnel preparing Ghods Mohajer-2 unmanned aerial vehicle on mobile launch ramp

Detail of Ghods Mohajer-2 unmanned aerial vehicle

NEZAJA command post for Beit al-Moqaddas 26 exercise

NEZAJA forward observation position for Beit al-Moqaddas 26 exercise

NEZAJA Commander Brig. Gen. Pourdastan saluting T-72S tank crews

NEZAJA Commander Brig. Gen. Pourdastan addressing officer and men participants of Beit al-Moqaddas 26 exercise.

Photos: Hamid Reza Nikomaram at Fars News Agency and Abbas Poustindouz at Mehr News Agency

NEZAJA 'Beit al-Moqaddas 26' exercise (1)

First stage of NEZAJA 'Beit al-Moqaddas' 26 exercises held on the eve of the anniversary of the liberation of the city of Khorramshahr (Iran-Iraq War), at the Maranjab Desert in Isfahan Province. Above: Naze'at-10 artillery rocket on MB L-series based TEL.

Rocket technicians wearing hardhats beside Naze'at-10 artillery rocket on MB L-series based TEL

Naze'at-10 artillery rocket upon firing

Launching of Naze'at-10 artillery rocket

Rocket technicians employing a digital theodolite for Naze'at-6 artillery rocket launch

Naze'at-type artillery rocket on MB L-series based TEL, in launch position. Note Fajr-5 artillery rocket launch in background

NEJAJA crewmen hoisting a Fajr-5 artillery rocket

NEJAJA crewmen hoisting a Fajr-5 artillery rocket - Note wooden rocket-carrying crates

Alternating teams of loaders for a Fajr-5 artillery rocket launcher

NEJAJA crewmen loading a Fajr-5 into the multiple rocket launcher

NEJAJA crewmen working out calculations for a Fajr-5 artillery rocket launch

NEJAJA second sergeant employing a theodolite for a Fajr-5 artillery rocket launch

NEJAJA crewman communicating on what appears to be a AN/PRC-77 type portable transceiver

Fajr-5 artillery rocket launch

IRIAA Bell 214A Isfahan medium lift helicopter, serial 6-4788 (cn 27141)

IRIAA Bell 214A Isfahan medium lift helicopters participating in 'Beit al-Moqaddas' 26 exercise

NEZAJA Commander Brig. Gen. Pourdastan among IRIAA pilots, NEZAJA rocket artillery crewmen and technicians

Photos: Hamed Malekpour at Tasnim News Agency, Payam Sani at Mehr News Agency