The Profound Meaning of Iran’s Elections

by Farideh Farhi The countrywide official results of the parliamentary and Assembly of Experts elections are not yet finalized, and in any case a detailed analysis of the numbers requires more time. The Guardian has a good round-up of approximate… Continue Reading

Why Iran’s Parliament Matters

by Reza H. Akbari Iranians went to the polls on February 26 to vote for the new members of parliament as well as the Assembly of Experts, a clerical body in charge of electing and removing the country’s most powerful… Continue Reading

The Economic Backdrop to Iran’s Elections

by Djavad Salehi-Isfahani Former president Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani has described Iran’s parliamentary election this Friday as critical, setting the course for years to come. It will certainly set the course for the rest of President Hassan Rouhani’s presidency, especially whether it… Continue Reading

A Plague of Black Swans in the Middle East

by Gary Sick In the parlance of political risk assessment, a Black Swan is an event regarded as highly improbable or even impossible before it happens. A Black Swan is not only surprising but has the capacity to disrupt or… Continue Reading

Zarif in Brussels: Redefining the EU-Iran Relationship

by Eldar Mamedov When Iran’s then-foreign minister Manouchehr Mottaki visited the European Parliament in 2010, his speech in the foreign affairs committee soon degenerated into a shouting match with the MPs. They accused his government of repressing dissent and grievous… Continue Reading