Week 3 January

IranSays It May Cut Off Its Oil Exports to Europe

By: Rick Gladstone and J. David Goodman

Date Published: January 26, 2012; Date accessed: January 27, 2012

Summary: Due to Iran’s nuclear issues with the West, the President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad mentioned in a speech reported by Iran’s official Islamic Republic News Agency that Iran might cut off the oil exports to Europe. Some political analysts said that this action may reflect hard on the Iran currency, exports/ trade, and employment. Furthermore the economy of Iran is greatly affected and many Iranians are trying to sell rials for gold and foreign currencies, in thought of their currency might become valueless. This entire crisis was just because of the Iran’s uranium enrichment program.

Response:  The Iranian government should not have brought forward the decision for cutting off its oil exports to Europe. Because of this irrational move, Iran ended up having economic issues. This article can be related to the study of Global Issues which includes the international relations, trading, and economics in its course. If the Iranian government have come into an agreement with the European Union on its nuclear issues rather than take an action that may results in national crisis later on.  

Vocabulary:

1.      Combative (adj)

a.       “Iran struck a combative tone Thursday in its confrontation with the West over the nuclear issue, threatening to terminate oil exports to European nations even before their embargo takes effect this summer.”

b.      Marked by eagerness to fight or contend; first use in 1826 (Merriam-webster.com)

c.       When teachers are being unfair, students become combative.

2.      Ire (noun)

a.       “Directing his ire at the Western powers that have imposed the sanctions,  … ”

b.      Intense and usually openly displayed anger. Origin: Middle English, Anglo-French, Latin ira, Greek oistros (first use in 14^th century). (Merriam-webster.com)

c.       The history teacher directed his ire at the student who plagiarized information from the internet.

3.      Bellicose (adj)

a.       “Political analysts said Mr. Ahmadinejad’s acknowledgment of sanction pain, in an otherwise bellicose speech, was a departure from the government depiction of Iran as an immune fortress.” 

b.      Favoring or inclined to start quarrels or wars. Origin: Middle English, Latin bellicosus, from bellicus of war, from bellum war; first use in 15^th century. (Merriam-webster).

c.       Bellicose students are always spending time fighting rather than studying.