tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6950988744172226588Thu, 16 Feb 2012 11:51:53 +0000moreOn the Road with Justin and Andreahttp://fromtheregion.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.com (Justin / Andrea)Blogger30125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6950988744172226588.post-6792946112287444389Sun, 12 Jul 2009 19:10:00 +00002009-07-12T15:55:30.135-04:00Here is a slideshow with some of our pictures from the four countries that we visited in the Middle East. Turn on sound to listen. http://fromtheregion.blogspot.com/2009/07/middle-east-in-pictures.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Justin / Andrea)37tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6950988744172226588.post-4547834175600324843Fri, 03 Jul 2009 14:32:00 +00002009-07-03T21:57:20.967-04:00moreBy Andrea McMahanCAIRO - After spending eight days in Egypt, it is easy to see how the country has earned a reputation as one of the most mesmerizing places on the planet. With its lush green landscape and miles of smooth Nile waters, it's not hard to get swept up by the sultry vibe of the city. After a few days one can’t help but feel transported to an entirely different place in time. However, http://fromtheregion.blogspot.com/2009/07/all-aboard-egypt.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Justin / Andrea)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6950988744172226588.post-7161828513590062209Mon, 22 Jun 2009 09:26:00 +00002009-06-24T09:09:09.520-04:00 CAIRO - We left Iran and, after 12 hours of travel, are now in Egypt. Upon landing, we taped an interview for Good Morning America on ABC News about our experiences there. The piece, titled "US Tourists Witness Iranian Protests," aired Sunday morning but you can see the full video clip by going to http://abcnews.go.com/video/playerIndex?id=7892189The segment is also on the abcnews.com homepage http://fromtheregion.blogspot.com/2009/06/interviews-with-good-morning-america-re.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Justin / Andrea)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6950988744172226588.post-8720287705688768823Mon, 22 Jun 2009 09:12:00 +00002009-06-22T07:02:47.868-04:00moreBy Justin McMahanJune 21, 2009Note: Andrea and I left Tehran yesterday. We had no choice, really. So many people, fearing arrest, or worse, are getting out while they still can. We will continue to blog from Cairo.CAIRO – A few days ago, John Kerry penned an op-ed in the New York Times in which he admonished fellow Senator John McCain for criticizing President Obama’s “tepid” response to the http://fromtheregion.blogspot.com/2009/06/with-hope-fading-iranian-people-look-to.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Justin / Andrea)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6950988744172226588.post-287181920388022844Sat, 20 Jun 2009 18:40:00 +00002009-06-20T14:48:06.791-04:00moreBy Justin McMahanJune 20, 2009TEHRAN - Police and Basij militia indiscriminately clubbed bystanders. Women screamed as a large group of Tehranis came running around a street corner toward us. We could not see from what they were running, but that it was Basijis administering brutal beatings is likely. Today we learned that the Supreme Leader meant what he said yesterday at Tehran University. http://fromtheregion.blogspot.com/2009/06/supreme-leader-follows-through-on.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Justin / Andrea)3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6950988744172226588.post-2271910167945570489Sat, 20 Jun 2009 05:59:00 +00002009-06-21T23:53:41.271-04:00moreJune 19, 2009By Andrea McMahanTEHRAN - It is a dismal day here in Tehran. The opposition is struggling to keep itself together after being dealt a heavy blow yesterday. In a speech given at Tehran University, the Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s Supreme Leader, said in no unclear terms that any further election protests are unacceptable by the government, and those persons choosing to participatehttp://fromtheregion.blogspot.com/2009/06/supreme-leader-speech-poses-grave.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Justin / Andrea)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6950988744172226588.post-267578219692416542Sat, 20 Jun 2009 05:54:00 +00002009-06-20T01:57:38.841-04:00As the Iranian communications death grip tightens and I am unable to use Skype to call my little sister, I must use this space to wish her the happiest of birthdays. Happy Birthday, Vanessa...I love you very much!! - Justinhttp://fromtheregion.blogspot.com/2009/06/happy-birthday-vanessa.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Justin / Andrea)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6950988744172226588.post-7861728043544276766Thu, 18 Jun 2009 20:30:00 +00002009-06-20T02:02:10.515-04:00By Andrea and Justin McMahanJune 18, 2009ESFAHAN, Iran - Looking out the window of the Abbasi hotel in central Esfahan, all appears normal. Iranians seem more concerned with the fate of the national football team (six players wear green wristbands to show their support for the opposition) than with their struggle for free and fair elections. If tonight is to bring more protests, there is no sign http://fromtheregion.blogspot.com/2009/06/by-andrea-and-justin-mcmahan-june-18.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Justin / Andrea)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6950988744172226588.post-2563773956418281502Wed, 17 Jun 2009 14:14:00 +00002009-06-17T10:32:10.166-04:00moreBy Andrea and Justin McMahanJune 17, 2009ESFAHAN, Iran - This morning, we climbed the Fire Temple for a better view of this city in which Iranians take so much pride. At the top, a man (pictured, right) asked where we were from, and was delighted to hear that we are from the States. Turns out he is a dual citizen who lives most of the time in Portland, Oregon, where he works as an engineer at http://fromtheregion.blogspot.com/2009/06/esfahan-encounter.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Justin / Andrea)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6950988744172226588.post-4288440471434576269Tue, 16 Jun 2009 04:41:00 +00002009-06-20T02:05:41.545-04:00moreBy Andrea McMahanSHIRAZ, IRAN - First I want to acknowledge the outpouring of support and concern many of you have expressed in the last couple of days. Please rest assured that we are ok and out of harm’s way. We are really enjoying our time in Iran, meeting new people and watching a country wade through one of the most politically pivotal events in more than 30 years.The whole experience has http://fromtheregion.blogspot.com/2009/06/reflections-on-irans-youth.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Justin / Andrea)3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6950988744172226588.post-2243402064120931142Mon, 15 Jun 2009 20:55:00 +00002009-06-20T02:06:16.301-04:00moreJune 15, 2009By Justin McMahanSHIRAZ, Iran – Early this morning, we caught a flight to the Iranian city of Shiraz. Throughout most of the day, all was calm in this sleepy southern city. At lunch, two boys (pictured at right) wandered over to our table and asked to have their picture taken with us. Other locals stopped us on the street just to say hello, ask us where we are from and welcome us to http://fromtheregion.blogspot.com/2009/06/shiraz-protests-shadow-of-events-in.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Justin / Andrea)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6950988744172226588.post-8845306703460059250Mon, 15 Jun 2009 20:42:00 +00002009-06-20T02:10:46.179-04:00moreJune 14, 2009By Justin McMahanTEHRAN - The second morning after the election, life seemed to return to a sense of normalcy in the city. The street outside of the Enghelab hotel, where we are staying, was mostly clean. The bonfires had been removed and traffic was moving at a brisk pace.The "agency" sent a substitute minder to accompany us. He suggested a museum, but we just needed to get online. http://fromtheregion.blogspot.com/2009/06/tehran-calms-down-at-least-for-moment.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Justin / Andrea)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6950988744172226588.post-3116888498157415043Sat, 13 Jun 2009 17:44:00 +00002009-06-20T02:08:12.848-04:00City's access to cell phones and social networking sites cut off.Access to Facebook, Twitter continues to be restricted; Internet acess is slow throughout the country.Updated as of 11:43pm local time.http://fromtheregion.blogspot.com/2009/06/lockdown-in-tehran_13.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Justin / Andrea)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6950988744172226588.post-5014504638330651886Sat, 13 Jun 2009 17:22:00 +00002009-06-20T02:08:28.508-04:00By Andrea and Justin McMahanTEHRAN – Just outside of our hotel, supporters of former PM Mousavi set fires and broke windows in protest of the results of yesterday’s election. Motorcycles race up and down the street as protesters play a game of cat and mouse with security officials. Smoke is everywhere. Protesters have broken windows of the Bank of Tehran across the street.Hotel staff usher http://fromtheregion.blogspot.com/2009/06/mousavi-supporters-set-fires-vandalize.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Justin / Andrea)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6950988744172226588.post-4866475975479920895Sat, 13 Jun 2009 15:12:00 +00002009-06-13T11:12:27.224-04:00Andrea and Justin wish Carlos, Andrea’s father, a speedy recovery and send their love from Tehran. Anya wishes that she could be there, but can’t wait to bring back all of her pictures and stories to share next month. I love you, Dad.Here is the rest of the article that will appear when the reader clicks the READ MORE linkhttp://fromtheregion.blogspot.com/2009/06/justin-and-andrea-wish-carlos-speedy.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Justin / Andrea)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6950988744172226588.post-8926482392075324264Sat, 13 Jun 2009 15:09:00 +00002009-06-20T02:09:22.624-04:00TEHRAN – From our room on the 12th floor of the Enghelab Hotel in central Tehran, we can see black smoke rising about a mile away. From the time that the earliest results were announced last night, Tehranis have been mostly quiet, although most people who we passed on the street today had a dejected look about them.All that changed this evening. Supporters of former PM Mousavi have taken to the http://fromtheregion.blogspot.com/2009/06/plumes-of-black-smoke-rise-from-streets.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Justin / Andrea)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6950988744172226588.post-2043977809728671041Sat, 13 Jun 2009 15:06:00 +00002009-06-13T11:08:41.944-04:00moreBy Andrea and Justin McMahanTEHRAN – Andrea and Justin had a great day today touring some of Tehran’s most well known museums. They began the day at the National Museum, where they learned that Iranian history is divided into three periods. The Pre-Historic period prior to 550 B.C., the Historic period between 550 B.C. and 600 A.D., and the Islamic period after the birth of Mohammed. The http://fromtheregion.blogspot.com/2009/06/andrea-and-justin-visit-beautiful-and.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Justin / Andrea)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6950988744172226588.post-2338644920211256154Fri, 12 Jun 2009 17:20:00 +00002009-06-20T02:09:37.084-04:00moreBy Andrea and Justin McMahanTEHRAN – In one of the most highly anticipated elections in this country’s history, millions of Iranians cast their vote in the presidential elections today. More than 45,000 polling stations around the country remain open as we write this (10pm local time), thanks to the Interior Ministry’s decision to push back the voting deadline from 6pm to 11pm.We had a chance to http://fromtheregion.blogspot.com/2009/06/voting-continues-in-iran-election.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Justin / Andrea)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6950988744172226588.post-5494503891873317840Thu, 11 Jun 2009 16:00:00 +00002009-06-20T02:09:55.244-04:00moreBy Justin and Andrea McMahanTEHRAN - At 4am this morning, on the way from Khomeni international airport to the Korzar hotel in downtown Tehran, we drove through the city’s main square. It looked as if a confetti bomb had exploded. The streets were littered with paper, glitter, posters and various other election rally remnants. During each of the past ten nights, scores of thousands of Tehranis http://fromtheregion.blogspot.com/2009/06/something-big-may-be-about-to-pop.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Justin / Andrea)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6950988744172226588.post-2949518563466317789Sun, 07 Jun 2009 22:04:00 +00002009-06-08T14:28:37.368-04:00moreBy Justin and Andrea McMahanBEIRUT - On June 7, Lebanon held its most important national election in decades. With votes mostly counted, the March 14 coalition defied expectations by maintaining a parliamentary majority and picking up seats in key Christian districts. Despite a strong showing in the south by March 8 that includes Hezbollah and its Shia ally Amal, the election was a victory for http://fromtheregion.blogspot.com/2009/06/fireworks-in-beirut-as-march-14.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Justin / Andrea)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6950988744172226588.post-1001301328189577978Sun, 07 Jun 2009 08:44:00 +00002009-06-07T17:31:54.846-04:00moreVoters in Beirut give the election a'thumbs up'; city holds its breath as results trickle inby Andrea McMahanBEIRUT - Election Day has kicked off in Beirut and anticipation hangs in the air. Life size posters displaying the various candidates are plastered across the city while supporters have taken to the streets waving party flags and wearing colorful T-shirts expressing their party loyalty. http://fromtheregion.blogspot.com/2009/06/beirut-closes-for-elections.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Justin / Andrea)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6950988744172226588.post-5660176175966864378Sat, 06 Jun 2009 17:03:00 +00002009-06-06T16:54:40.955-04:00moreNick Blanford is a reporter for the Christian Science Monitor. He is also researching and writing a book on Hezbollah. In this interview, Nick discusses the Lebanese election, the role of Hezbollah, and their reaction to President Obama's Cairo speech. http://fromtheregion.blogspot.com/2009/06/dispatch-from-beirut-interview-with.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Justin / Andrea)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6950988744172226588.post-173942932674236072Fri, 05 Jun 2009 14:04:00 +00002009-06-07T04:55:28.571-04:00moreby Andrea McMahanISTANBUL - Recently in Istanbul we celebrated the birthday of former Mayor Ali Mufit Gurduna. Mayor Gurduna served as Mayor of Istanbul from 1998 until 2004 and is still a very popular figure around town. Our gracious and ever-social host, Allen Collinsworth, first met Mayor Gurduna while working at the East West Institute in New York (as did Justin) and then later served as http://fromtheregion.blogspot.com/2009/06/happy-birthday-mayor-gurduna_8673.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Justin / Andrea)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6950988744172226588.post-4060689233163513651Wed, 03 Jun 2009 15:38:00 +00002009-06-12T14:06:02.434-04:00moreBy Justin McMahanISTANBUL - When I first heard this Rihanna song, I was sure it would overnight become the girls’ empowerment mantra of 2009. It never did. The beating she suffered at the hands of Chris Brown might have dampened the creative promotion ideas of her handlers.Anyway, it was around the same time that I did a brief stint working with Senator Boxer’s foreign policy team. Women’s rightshttp://fromtheregion.blogspot.com/2009/06/better-learn-how-to-treat-them-right.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Justin / Andrea)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6950988744172226588.post-531425536597338793Tue, 02 Jun 2009 08:29:00 +00002009-06-02T05:54:16.929-04:00By Andrea McMahanJune 2, 2009OLYMPOS, Turkey - These are pictures from the first leg of our trip in Istanbul. We've been in Turkey a little more than a week and are enchanted by the history, architecture and natural beauty of the country. If Turkey's hospitality is a precursor of what we can expect from the rest of the Middle East, then we're in for a treat! Stay tuned as we depart Thursday for http://fromtheregion.blogspot.com/2009/06/these-are-pictures-from-first-leg-of.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Justin / Andrea)2