Wednesday's Daily Briefing on Iran

DoctorZin reports, 3.30.2005:

Today's Iran-N. Korea Soccer Game makes regime nervous.

Security forces across the Islamic Republic are on alert today. They have been authorized to exert " more control" across the country in order to shut down pro-democracy demonstrations they fear may follow today's soccer match with North Korea.

The game which is being played in North Korea will be viewed by millions of Iranians watching on television. The game has already started ( it is scheduled to run from 11am to 1pm Tehran time). It appears the regime is hoping that since the game is being played early in the day and will be viewed on television, rather than at a local stadium, they will be able to better control pro-democracy demonstrations. Post soccer game celebrations have been an opportunity for such demonstrations in the past, such as those last week.

Here are a few other news items you may have missed.

• The Washington Post provides a preview into the Presidential commission's report looking into the intelligent failures.
• Women of Iranian descent don't want us to believe everything we see on TV. Two books reviewed.
• A surprise US offer of nuclear cooperation with India has thrown the entire Indian geo-strategic planning into disarray.
• A female member of Iran's parliament wants to run for President.
• Amir Taheri took a look at the paralysis at the Arab league's meeting last week.
• Pakistani centrifuges being sent to IAEA at Iran's request.
• The Power and Interest News Report (PINR) reports that Iran will attempt to fill the vacuum left by the Syrian troops returning home.
• And finally, Iraqi border guards have temporarily closed one of the main points of entry with Iran with out notifying the Iranians.