Mehrdad, Mujib

Description

The draw-down of U.S. forces in Afghanistan has been accompanied by a pervasive mood of cynicism in relation to America's Middle East foreign policy. Beyond the mire of the perilous Afghani political situation is a hopeful picture of positive social change. As Mujib Mehrdad argues, U.S. involvement in Afghanistan has produced a predominately positive impact on society, including changes in public education and women's rights. Despite these developments, however, difficult work lays ahead as foreign intervention winds down. Mujib Mehrdad is the author of poetry collections including Gladiators Are Still Dying (a 2007 Afghan Civil Society literature award winner), and The Fishes Have Fled Our Veins (2008). He has translated Irwin Allen Ginsberg, Sylvia Plath, Langston Hughes, and others, into Dari. He is a board member of the literary organization Kashane Nawesendagan [House of Authors] and teaches Persian literature at Albironi University in Kapisa. His participation is made possible by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs at the U.S. Department of State. Writer requested restricted access 1/3/2017. eaj Contact the Iowa City Foreign Relations Council: http://icfrc.org/contact/ - [Thais Winkleblack] I also want to acknowledge our community supporters, the University of Iowa international programs and the University of Iowa honor's program, as well as the Stanley UI foundation support organization, and our financial sponsors Dave and Diane Martin, as well as Burns Weston. Our work is really also made possible by the financial contributions of these sponsors, so thank you to them. The format today will be the usual one,...

Record Contributed By

Iowa City Foreign Relations Council Community Television Service (Iowa City, Iowa)