Iran: August 5, 2001

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The official unemployment rate is 15 percent, but the real rate is believed to be almost twice that. Most people blame the religious conservatives for the economic mess. There have been several riots by workers in the last few weeks, protesting layoffs or delayed pay. These demonstrations often turn into anti-conservative riots. If the police respond with violence, which they usually do, the anger only increases. 

August 2, 2001; Security forces battled a drug gang on the Afghan border, killing 15 of the Afghans and seizing a large quantity of ammunition and drugs. Several