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Ramin Asgard

New director of VOA's Persian Service

PAAIA - The Public Affairs Alliance for Iranian Americans (PAAIA) would like to congratulate Ramin Asgard on his appointment as the new Director of Voice of America- Persian News Network.

Mr. Asgard is currently the highest ranking Iranian American career Foreign Service Officer with the U.S. Department of State. He recently served as a Political Advisor to General David Petraeus and General James Mattis at the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) in Tampa, Florida. Prior to joining CENTCOM, Mr. Asgard served as Director of the Iran Regional Presence Office in Dubai, the U.S. Government's primary field operation concerning Iran.

Prior to joining the Department of State, Mr. Asgard practiced law in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. He received his J.D. degree from Tulane University, his M.A. in Political Science from the University of Pennsylvania, and his B.A., summa cum laude, from Temple University. He is a member of Phi Beta Kappa and the Council on Foreign Relations. In 2010, PAAIA was honored to have Mr. Asgard serve as a mentor in its Mentorship Program.

The Voice of America (VOA), which first went on the air in 1942, is an international multimedia broadcasting service funded by the U.S. government through the Broadcasting Board of Governors. The VOA broadcasts approximately 1,500 hours of news, information, educational, and cultural programming every week to an estimated worldwide audience of 123 million people >>>

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02-Mar-2011
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So Hilarious

by Doctor mohandes on Thu Mar 03, 2011 01:23 PM PST

Not supporting an organization does not mean that one can not or should not be allowed to criticze it or at least ask questions.

James D

Is that not the same list that you supporters throw at people everytime someone makes a mention of Mr. or Dr. Parsi?
Time for an Update. Soon i hope?:)


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Escape

And for good measure, a

by Escape on Thu Mar 03, 2011 11:53 AM PST

And for good measure, a scientific poll of Iranian Americans that
show NIAC's positions are the positions of most Iranian Americans: //escholarship.org/uc/item/7qq8j257

It's not a good measure,it's a pitiful explanation of the NIAC position in 2008.One that was ERASED in 2009.Now when you and the rest of the NIAC get with Reality you may become revelent once again.


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James D.

hmmm, how about facts?

by James D. on Thu Mar 03, 2011 10:50 AM PST

I love how NIAC can be simultaneous accused of being both an agent of the American government and of the Iranian government  in the same forum and no one stops to say, "that doesn't make any sense..."

I don't know who has time to point out all the lies and halftruths that
are hurled against NIAC by people seeking to defame it for political
reasons (or because they've only heard from the haters), so I encourage
anyone who wants to know more to actually take a minute to look at the
work NIAC does.

NIAC's Policy Positions: //www.niacouncil.org/site/PageServer?pagename=About_policy_positions

NIAC's accomplishments: //www.niacouncil.org/site/PageServer?pagename=About_accomplishments

Myths vs. Facts: //www.niacouncil.org/site/PageServer?pagename=About_myths_facts

BBC Persian Investigates Politically
Motivated Attacks Against NIAC (Video): //www.youtube.com/watch?v=QYZc2EZdBic&feature=player_embedded 

NIAC's advocacy campaigns: //www.niacouncil.org/site/PageServer?pagename=Action_index

The results of NIAC's latest membership survey:  

//www.niacouncil.org/site/News2pageNewsArticle&id=6835

And for good measure, a scientific poll of Iranian Americans that
show NIAC's positions are the positions of most Iranian Americans: //escholarship.org/uc/item/7qq8j257

It's sad that there are so many within the community who always want to
tear everything down, but never  build anything themselves. Read what NIAC stands for yourself, and if it is something you  support, become a member. If it isn't, don't. It's really that simple.


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Cost-of-Progress

Yeah Really

by Cost-of-Progress on Thu Mar 03, 2011 09:42 AM PST

The alliance of reesh-o-pashm should make like sea gulls and get the flock outta here.....

BTW, my congrats to Mr. Asgard.

 

____________

IRAN FIRST

____________


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James D

by Doctor mohandes on Thu Mar 03, 2011 09:14 AM PST

Classic Indeed!

The big fabrication of the century that NIAC is funded by the Iranian-americans!! really?

Then you wonder why conversations take such silly turn...


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Mash Ghasem

Fussy: how about Cyberbasij.com

by Mash Ghasem on Thu Mar 03, 2011 09:14 AM PST

I KNOW  you'll like that one,right?


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Fussy Gorilla

by Doctor mohandes on Thu Mar 03, 2011 09:12 AM PST

Look . I am not about to tell you whether you are right or wrong in your stance here, But when i compare NIAC and VOA even though i Know where the source of their funding is, AT least i give VOA some credit for Bringing the voice of those who were unfairly victimized and lost loved one. When that happened it Was the same VOA who interviewed them and gave them a chance to say their piece.

 


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Anonymous Observer

Get off of it then fussy monkey!

by Anonymous Observer on Thu Mar 03, 2011 09:50 AM PST

It seems to me that this site has turned to service of U.S. interests rather than Iran's, it should change its name to "American.com" to be honest about its agenda.   Then there's only one thing left for you to do: get rid of all your various usernames on this site and go away so that you don't become a "foreign stooge" like the rest of us.  Let's see if you're man enough (or woman enough as the case may be) to put your money where your mouth is.   


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fussygorilla

foreign stooge

by fussygorilla on Thu Mar 03, 2011 08:49 AM PST

is what this man is. I would not bother reading the entry but the title tells it all. VOA, anyone employed by it, is a traitor to Iranian national interests so is persons like Parsi and his organization.  These orgs. are funded, supported, fed by the CIA to sabotage and undermine Iran in the illusion that U.S. can dominate and control that country again.

It seems to me that this site has turned to service of U.S. interests rather than Iran's, it should change its name to "American.com" to be honest about its agenda.


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Dariush Kabir

James, NIAC=IRI

by Dariush Kabir on Thu Mar 03, 2011 08:35 AM PST

James, may be NGO can be fooled, but Iranian-Americans cannot be fooled. We know that NIAC was made by IRI to lobby for the regime in US, that is a fact. It is insulting to Iranians to be told that NIAC is you voice in US, no we will never accept this illegitimate organization, NIAC was denying any human right violations in IRI until a few years ago, how can they be trusted?


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James D.

Classic

by James D. on Thu Mar 03, 2011 06:38 AM PST

How is it everything on Iranian.com devolves into a silly conversation? NIAC is funded by Iranian Americans. And yes, 6 years ago, it recieved a grant from NED to conduct nonpolitical trainings for other NGO's to help foster a stronger Iranian civil society.

//www.niacouncil.org/site/PageServer?pagename=About_faq


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Bavafa

by Doctor mohandes on Wed Mar 02, 2011 08:18 PM PST

You would not By any chance happen to think the same way about Trita parsi now, would you? I highly doubt Mr. parsi has demonstrated much deeper alligence to Iran  anymore than this man has.

I guess one should be convinced that since both NIAC and VOA are located and funded by the US government and it is affiliated entities, one can not expected much in terms of their level dedication to Iran and what is best for IT!!


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Bavafa

VOA being what it is, a propaganda machine ...

by Bavafa on Wed Mar 02, 2011 08:07 PM PST

For those of us who have the interest of Iran first and foremost at heart can not really joy over such event. His listed credentials and now the new appointment shows his loyalty and service to the America military and foreign interest which often goes counter to Iran's best interest. So, as an American he ought to be proud but as an Iranian, I hardly think so.

Mehrdad


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Dariush Kabir

Wish him success

by Dariush Kabir on Wed Mar 02, 2011 06:11 PM PST

I hope he is not one who would follow the idea of "negotiation with IRI", over "regime change". VOA has some very good programming such as "Parazit", it also has a lot of viewership in Iran. Mr. Asgard  could play a big role in the future of opposition , and removal of the regime.


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comments

Curious

by comments on Wed Mar 02, 2011 03:00 PM PST

I don’t know him at present.  I think I should wait to see a comment about Ramin Asgard’s network (i.e. wife, partner, etc.) before expressing my opinion.

So far he has some degrees, which show his fine intelligence.  Though it brings up the question whether he still pays back his loans or he is financially proud.  It’s nice to see that he has a B.J. (Juris Doctor) degree demonstrating his modern vision.  His mentorship honestly impresses me.  He is in a good shape, which shows that he cares and has a good potential to take care of himself.I am so curious to hear more about him…

 


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