So where are they and what are they doing? (page 24 of 33)

A touch of zen, the tale of the knights of Illumination. An evanescent scent, the spirit transcending itself. Journeys toward so many horizons, effervescent suns. The return and the flame, the Koka and the Kola 😉

You’ll tell me it’s the same everywhere; indeed, in Russia or Belarus,

No, it’s not the same everywhere.

In France and Europe generally, all opinions can be expressed. You’re living proof of that. And this fact is highlighted in the article linked above.

In Russia and other countries, watch out if you go against the framework set by Putin in power.

Try publishing certain cartoons in some theocracies and see what happens...

I think we’re going in circles with this discussion. As often happens after the first few pages, anyway...

Some people develop a conspiratorial image in others’ minds. Others develop a sheep-like image in the minds of some. We’re really getting somewhere...

Is Trump "evil"? In fact, is he a "villain"? Without a doubt, since he is complicit in holocaust crimes by allowing the continuous delivery of bombs that destroy civilian populations, including children. He had the opportunity to interrupt this process started by his predecessor during the truce; he didn’t do it—he has become a criminal.

On one occasion, Golda Meir gathered her cabinet to announce she was stopping the ongoing war. A minister told her there was no reason to since the army was winning. She replied that the USA had stopped arms deliveries.

Your analysis of Trump’s economic actions seems too simplistic to me. He himself is a shrewd businessman, and his associate Musk is a remarkably successful man. I think they know what they’re doing: they’re pressing levers that allow them to bring all the vassals back into line. Of course, they won’t be able to do anything against the Russian Federation and China. Trump’s task is immense: managing dedollarization, preventing an impending crash, cleaning out hostile administrations like the CIA, ending the war in Ukraine by making his proxies swallow the bitter pill... I wouldn’t want that job.

He himself is a shrewd businessman

I don’t know if the employees from the businesses he drove into bankruptcy share your opinion.

In France and in Europe generally, all opinions can be expressed. You’re living proof of that.

I’ve read here so often about people who wanted to silence me, or automatically silence those who didn’t share their views. Don’t you remember? Don’t you also remember the "Ministry of Truth" and the Bronner commission? The temptation among French and European elites to control public opinion is very strong—it keeps coming back to the surface. In France, can you publish cartoons that insult the Republic? I don’t think so.

Michel

Cartoons or the like—I see them every day on Facebook. Especially of elected officials.

It seems like on this forum, the person who was silenced during Covid was me...🙂

There’s no problem walking around in a knee-length dress with your hair down in Iran and Afghanistan (the only countries in question)? 😮

It’s not just in those two countries where it’s an issue.

In most Muslim countries, actually. (And increasingly so, which wasn’t necessarily the case before).

I’d even say it’s a full reversal! When I was in my twenties (back in the 70s), in many Muslim countries (all of North Africa), the Middle East (Syria, Jordan, Lebanon), Iran, and even Afghanistan, things were much more tolerant than they are today! A lot of people my age were even almost anti-religious and opposed to their parents’ traditional culture. In North Africa, I don’t remember seeing a single veil—same in Iran. In Afghanistan, the daughters of the bourgeoisie in Kabul and Herat were all in skirts and high heels!

Hi Anne-Claire,

Iran today: Even though their situation isn’t enviable, Iranian women have always had the right to drive, study, and work. Saudi women, despite some progress in that area, did they have that possibility just a few years ago? The thing is, some countries are demonized and others aren’t... I went to Iran a few years ago, and the image I got of the country was quite different from the one presented by the media. That same year, I was given the best-selling book *Not Without My Daughter* by Betty Mahmoody. On the cover, there’s a photo of a woman with her face completely covered. That’s a lie. I never saw covered faces in Iran. But it’s true, the hijab is still mandatory there. And yes, it’s shocking. As a tourist, I couldn’t escape that rule either. Back then, I talked a lot with women there. They were exhausted by the mandatory hijab and the morality police checks.

Yes, “demonize” is the exact term. To be the Good, you hastily sketch out the Evil and then *Vade retro satanas*...

I remember that terrifying book, written by an American woman who had a nightmarish experience, published during a time of high tension between Iran and the U.S. That was when the public started getting obsessed with ordinary people’s stories. If I recall correctly, it was around the same time you couldn’t escape Loana and What’s-His-Name’s aquatic antics... Today, if you look into contemporary Iranian literature—which you can only read in translation—it almost seems like only female authors exist in the country, and you have to search hard to find novels written by men. That bias says more about our culture than about Iran.

As for the hijab, it’s been a political issue in Iran for nearly a century. Women who didn’t want to dress in little dresses were confined to their homes, then discriminated against as backward and suspicious for years. From one coercive extreme to another. Let’s hope they can just be who they want, but I have my doubts as long as the country faces strong international pressures.

Catherine

Today, if you're interested in contemporary Iranian literature—which you can only read in translation—it almost seems like only female authors exist in the country, and you have to search for a long time to find novels written by men.

On the other hand, there are many male directors (I’m thinking of Asghar Farhadi, among others—he’s the most well-known—and I love his films). But between censorship and sanctions, it’s tough to produce a film in Iran.

Your analysis of Trump's economic policies seems too simplistic.

No, it's not me being simplistic—it's Trump himself. What he doesn't see is that trade flows are interconnected; we're talking about interdependence, like Apple outsourcing to Foxconn in Asia. Once Trump raises tariffs on imports from Asia, he’s shooting himself in the foot because a huge portion of Apple’s components come from Asia. Boeing is facing nearly $20 billion in financial losses—yes, the U.S. economy has lost some of its strength. The manufacturer can’t seem to revive its 737-Max program; it’s on the brink of bankruptcy... Given that there are competitors even in the aerospace industry

Hi Kate,

But between censorship and sanctions, it’s hard to make a film in Iran.

Yes, and yet it produces wonders of essentiality. Like *Tehran Chronicles* (*Versets terrestres* in the original language), shot in a week, without any kind of authorization, and in which one of the scenes shows a director struggling with a censor who tears page after page of his script.

Catherine

I really liked *The Nights of Mashhad*. But it wasn’t exactly a hit with the mullahs...

Some people develop a conspiracy-theorist image in others' minds. Others develop a sheep-like image in some people's minds. We haven’t made much progress...

Wow, you’ve never been this close to the truth. That said, I sometimes find those sheep pretty vehement. Like rabid sheep who also pick the wrong targets.

Women who didn’t want to dress in little dresses were confined to their homes, then discriminated against as suspicious backward people for years

True. I’ve always wondered why those women, who weren’t free, don’t stand up for the ones who want to be free today.

They should be the first to protest for the freedom to dress however they want, since they were the first to be denied that freedom.

But strangely, the opposite happens.

It’s illogical.

In Afghanistan, the daughters of the bourgeoisie in Kabul and Herat all wore skirts and high heels!

Up until the 90s, in fact. That’s all over for them now. 🙁

I’d even say it’s full speed backward!

Same here... In the 70s/80s, it would never have occurred to my North African classmates to wear a veil. Never.

Let’s just hope they can be whatever they want, but I have my doubts as long as the country faces strong international pressure.

We’re on the same page, Catherine.

They should be the first to protest for the freedom to dress as they please, given that they were the first to lack that freedom.

But strangely, the opposite is happening.

Ancestral customs, what people will say, modesty (very trendy right now 😉), prudishness, propaganda (I should really find that photo of a poster plastered at Tehran Airport saying the hijab protects the family), and maybe a hint of jealousy too?? Go figure, Charles... At least Iranian women fighting this ideology know what the hijab represents. (I really feel like adding "they do").

I agree with you. Sooner or later, the machismo of certain cultures catches up with their women. I think religion is just an excuse.

I really want to add "them" too.

Not all women would be defined solely by what ties them to their gender?

Whether it’s the veil or something else, it’s six of one, half a dozen of the other.