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Describes the political tensions within the Iranian government. Reforms initiated by President Mohammad Khatami; Tensions between his supporters and hard-line conservatives; Khatami's visit to the United Nations in September, 1998; Possible war between Iran and Afghanistan; Khatami's political strength and popularity; October, 1998, elections of the Assembly of Experts; Role of the Council of Guardians; Need for changes among conservatives.

Explains the tensions between Afghanistan's ruling Taliban and Iran. Conflict between the Sunni Taliban and Shiite Iran; The extent of the Taliban's control of Afghanistan; Buildup of military forces along the border; Internal battles in Iran; Views of Iranian President Mohamad Khatami; Deposed Afghan President Burhanuddin Rabbani; Involvement of Pakistan; Stability brought to Afghanistan by the Taliban.

Presents several brief articles related to world news for February 23, 1999. New fighting in Kosovo between Serbs and ethnic Albanians; Training and weapons received by terrorist Abdullah Ocalan from Greece; Disqualification of political candidates in Iran for the first municipal elections since 1979.

Opinion. Looks at politics and government in Iran after the election of Mohammed Khatami as president in 1997. The guidelines which govern Iran and have since the Islamic revolution in 1979; The support which Khatami has among Iran's population; The shift in the United States policy toward Iran; The power that the clergy still holds in Iran; The belief that Iran is slowly moving toward normalization.

Studies the role of the Iranian government in the peace process in the Middle East as of 1997. The impact that the 1979 Islamic Revolution by Ayatollah Khomeini has had on the Middle East; The critical presence of Iran to the defenses of Mideast nations; How the United States views Iran; Iran's claims for peace; Control of the vital Strait of Hormuz, the outlet for oil exported from the Persian Gulf.

Focuses on the Jameah newspaper in Tehran, Iran. Right-wing clerics who want to shut it down; The paper as President Mohamad Khatami's promise to liberalize the press; The paper as being feared by conservative clerics; Examples of the types of articles the paper prints.

Reports on the impeachment of Iranian interior minister, Abdullah Nouri. Iranian president Mohamad Khatami's reaction to the impeachment; The political activity taking place amidst the World Cup soccer tournament; Iran's victory over the United States in the World Cup; The battle between Islamic conservatives and more-open reformists.