The Iran Protests: Aftermath and Impact

NEW YORK, March 7, 2018 — Trita Parsi, founder and president of National Iranian American Council, discusses the recent Iran protests and their aftermath with Asia Society Executive Vice President Tom Nagorski. (58 min., 40 sec.)

Breakfast available from 8:00 AM
Discussion begins at 8:30 AM

Iranians recently took to the streets to protest economic conditions in Mashhad, Iran’s second largest city and Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei’s city of birth. The rare protests would eventually spread to several cities across Iran, and grievances would also be directed at the political establishment, as well as the country’s involvement in Syria and elsewhere in the region. Yet, unlike the mass protests following the 2009 elections, the urban middle class in Tehran by and large stayed home, and the country’s political system appears to be safely intact for the time being. What was different this time? How deeply felt are the concerns? What is the appropriate response from the U.S.?

President Trump’s initial reaction was criticized — to some Iranians, U.S. advocacy is seen as a “kiss of death” that may discredit their cause. However, President Obama was also criticized for his tepid response to the 2009 protests. Should the U.S. comment at all? Lastly, what will the impact of the protests be on Iran’s foreign policy and the region?

Join us for a discussion with Trita Parsi on Iran at this crucial juncture. 

Speakers

Trita Parsi is Founder and President of the National Iranian American Council, and author of Losing an Enemy: Obama, Iran and the Triumph of Diplomacy (2017), among others. He is an expert on U.S.-Iranian relations, Iran’s foreign politics, and the geopolitics of the Middle East. His book Treacherous Alliance: The Secret Dealings of Iran, Israel and the United States (2007) is the silver medal winner of the 2008 Arthur Ross Book Award from the Council on Foreign Relations. He was born in Iran but moved with his family at the age of four to Sweden in order to escape political repression.

Tom Nagorski (moderator) is Executive Vice President of Asia Society. He joined the Asia Society following a three-decade career in journalism — having served most recently as Managing Editor for International Coverage at ABC News. 

Losing an Enemy: Obama, Iran and the Triumph of Diplomacy will be available for sale at the event, and can be purchased through the Asia Store website.

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This program made possible through the generous support of the Nicholas Platt Endowment for Public Policy.