Farhang Foundation
Los Angeles-based producer and marketing consultant, and a community organizer within the Iranian-American community; Executive Director of Farhang Foundation, a non-profit organization celebrating Iranian art and culture, and founder of Butterfly Buzz
'A Separation' Unites Iranian-Americans in Los Angeles At last night's Academy Awards, Iran's A Separation won the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film . The hard-line Iranian news agency, Fars, reported that when he accepted the award, director Asghar Farhadi said, "I proudly offer this award to the people of my country, who, despite all the tensions and hostility of recent months between Iran and the West over Iran's nuclear program, respect all cultures and civilizations." In fact, Farhadi spoke of Iranians all over the world who were watching, "happy, not just because of an important award…but because at the time when talk of war, intimidation, and aggression is exchanged between politicians the name of their country, Iran, is spoken here through her glorious culture, a rich and ancient culture that has been hidden under the heavy dust of politics. I proudly offer this award to the people of my country, the people who respect all cultures and civilizations and despise hostility and resentment. Thank you so much."
What is Trump's plan for Middle East peace? On his first foreign tour, President Trump has promised "peace" between Israel and the Palestinians. Are there any details for re-starting talks that have been stalled for the past three years?
Will the Senate write a healthcare bill in secret? While Democrats and Republicans argue White House relations with Russia, another question is being decided behind closed doors: who gets help buying health insurance and who doesn't? We hear how the pros and cons are being shrouded in secrecy.
Trump plays scolder-in-chief with NATO allies At the opening of NATO’s dramatic new headquarters in Brussels today, President Trump acknowledged that Article 5 — promising that “an attack on one nation is an attack on all” -- has only been invoked one time: in the aftermath of September 11. But the President failed to provide what 27 other Alliance members have been waiting for: a re-commitment by America’s new leader to Article 5. Instead, they got a scolding.