It is doubtful whether Iran's leaders can achieve all their stated aims of maintaining petrol production, manufacturing lots of petrochemicals and cleaning the foul air their citizens must breathe.

ECONOMIST: Iran's struggle

More economic development would produce the money to help clean the now foul water and air, but also provide access to better education, one of the best ways to assure more manageable birth rates.

FORBES: The Green Movement's People Problem

Mr. Kurlantzick theorizes about what happened without coming to a firm conclusion, though the CIA is criticized for not releasing the results of the investigation it apparently conducted, and a hint of foul play is left hanging in the air.

WSJ: Book Review: The Ideal Man

Citing international data, the Clean Air Network, another local green group, argues that local air is often three times as foul as in New York and London.

ECONOMIST: An encouraging appointment addresses an enduring problem

New measures include flood-resistant doors, removable barriers for doors, and "air bricks" to allow ventilation and non-return valves on domestic and foul drains.

BBC: Berkshire woman gets help for home hit by floods 10 times