Blog Post # 2 Turmoil in Iran

             In Iran, the Kurds and Azeris are two distinct ethnic groups that are located in Iran's northwest region.The two groups are not in alliance with each other but they do share Lake Orumieh, which has caused much turmoil. Lake Orumieh is Irans largest lake and citizens were upset after pictures were revealed the shrinking lake. It has lost half of its size due to extensive dam-building and drought. The lake could disappear in a few years and displace 14 million people. The residents believe that the government isn't doing much to save Lake Orumieh. The government feared that the conflict over the lake would lead to division in East and West Azerbaijan. On September 3rd, protesters and officers clashed. Over 60 people were arrested. The officers used ammunition to control the crowd and 13 people taken to the hospital for gunshot wounds.
              The ethnic division crisis in Iran is a social problem because the lake is a natural resource that will take years to replenish and over 14 million people will be affected. Based on the fact that its the largest lake in Iran I do believe that, the government should take the situation a little more seriously. The people within the country are doing was they should do and protect their home. The poblem with this issue is that its a natural occurence. The govenernment can't control the drought but they can control dam-building. The people of the country really have no control because officers always have the upper-hand. Since 1991, the Azeris have had tension. The government believes that the US. and Israel are using this to stir up separitist sentiment. Ethnic division is just the beginning of the tension in Iran.