April 16, 2012 Nuclear negotiations between Iran and the P5+1 group are scheduled for April 13 and 14 in Istanbul. Is it possible for the United States to successfully engage Iran, or are negotiations with Tehran an exercise in futility?
http://www.carnegieendowment.org/2012/04/16/negotiating-with-iran-istanbul-and-its-aftermath/a68w
This presentation was part of Teaching The Middle East: Between Authoritarianism And Reform, a History Institute for Teachers. October 16, 2011
http://www.fpri.org/multimedia/20111016.reynolds.turkey.html
Terry and Kevin admit that sometimes getting what you wish for doesn’t leave the best taste in the mouth as in a fortnight they get to meet two Formula One drivers, see an exclusive screening of the Senna film, sit in a room with Jackie Stewart, be official F1 press and watch a race with lots of overtaking and yet feel a bit depressed about it all.
This week, the Krampus and his workers, Knecht Ruprecht, Krampus, Hans Trapp, Zwarte Piet, Klaubauf, Muff, Butz, Pere Fouettard and Belsnickel, bring you the last in the series of Worst Jobs podcasts. This time it’s children making dolls for children, gos-herding and turkey dressing. As in, yanking the guts out of hundreds or maybe thousands of fresh turkeys, by hand, in time for Christmas.
But my own day of judgment is at hand (did you know that the Visit from Saint Nicholas could be considered a mini "day of judgment" for children? It’s true)! I will be presenting, tomorrow night, a small amount of information about Christmas political history, characters and pagan traditions that have come all the way to us. We will also have a nice atheist Christmas party. Now THAT’S how freethinkers have a Christmas party. With a lecture. Luckily, I have pictures.
Dennis Marks on the surprising survival of Ottoman Europe. BBC via http://speechification.com/2010/08/06/turkey-in-europe/