Popular preachers known as maddahs have large and devoted followings in Iran, where they play an important role in Shi'a Islam. But observers interviewed by RFE/RL's Radio Farda say that Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has mobilized maddahs and their gatherings for political goals.

Afghan farmers are being encouraged to drop opium poppy production for saffron, sometimes known as "red gold" because of the spice's high price. International aid organizations are supporting the effort, in the hope of reducing the country's massive illicit opium exports.