SAIS Rethinking Iran

In this new Book Forum episode, we’re joined by Golnar Nikpour to discuss her illuminating book The Incarcerated Modern: Prisons and Public Life in Iran. Nikpour traces the transformation of Iran from a decentralized empire with few prisoners into a modern nation-state with one of the largest prison populations in the world. She explores how Iran's carceral system has not only policed citizens but also reshaped concepts of citizenship, freedom, and political belonging. By examining the writings, art, and activism that emerged from prison walls, Nikpour reveals how carceral confinement has profoundly influenced Iran’s political movements and public cultures.

In this new Book Forum episode, we’re joined by Beeta Baghoolizadeh to discuss her book "The Color Black: Enslavement and Erasure in Iran." Baghoolizadeh challenges the prevailing narratives about Iran's history, uncovering the complex and often overlooked story of Black people in the country. Through meticulous research and analysis, she sheds light on the centuries-long practice of enslavement and the subsequent erasure of Black Iranians. Join us as we delve into the fascinating world of Baghoolizadeh's book, exploring the intersection of race, slavery, and identity in Iranian history.

In this timely and critical episode, we explore our own recent release: "How Sanctions Work: Iran and the Impact of Economic Warfare." We're joined by esteemed authors Narges Bajoghli, Vali Nasr, Djavad Salehi-Isfahani, and Ali Vaez for an in-depth discussion on the real impact of U.S. sanctions on Iran. As the specter of a region-wide conflict looms over the Middle East, the role of sanctions in shaping the current geopolitical landscape becomes increasingly vital to scrutinize. Moderated by the Quincy Institute's Bill Hartung, this conversation challenges common assumptions and explores the nuanced realities behind the U.S. sanctions regime.

In this new Book Forum episode, we’re joined by Giorgia Perletta to discuss her book "Political Radicalism in Iran and Ahmadinejad's Presidencies." Perletta challenges the oversimplifications often made in the West about Iran's political landscape, particularly the widespread use of the term "radical." Through her analysis, she provides a deeper understanding of Ahmadinejad's presidencies and the complexities of Iranian politics. Join us as we delve into these critical insights and rethink common Western narratives.

Sanctions have become the go-to foreign policy tool for the United States. Coercive economic measures such as trade tariffs, financial penalties, and export controls affect large numbers of companies and states across the globe. Some of these penalties target nonstate actors, such as Colombian drug cartels and Islamist terror groups; others apply to entire countries, including North Korea, Iran, and Russia. U.S. policy makers see sanctions as a low-cost tactic, but in reality these measures often fail to achieve their intended goals—and their potent side effects can even harm American interests. Backfire explores the surprising ways sanctions affect multinational companies, governments, and ultimately millions of people around the world. Drawing on interviews with experts, policy makers, and people in sanctioned countries, Agathe Demarais examines the unintended consequences of the use of sanctions as a diplomatic weapon. The proliferation of sanctions spurs efforts to evade them, as states and firms seek ways to circumvent U.S. penalties. This is only part of the story. Sanctions also reshape relations between countries, pushing governments that are at odds with the U.S. closer to each other—or, increasingly, to Russia and China. Full of counterintuitive insights spanning a wide range of topics, from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine to Iran’s COVID response and China’s cryptocurrency ambitions, Backfire reveals how sanctions are transforming geopolitics and the global economy—as well as diminishing U.S. influence. This insider’s account is an eye-opening, accessible, and timely book that sheds light on the future of sanctions in an increasingly multipolar world. AGATHE DEMARAIS is the global forecasting director of the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU). She was previously a senior policy adviser for the French Treasury in Russia and Lebanon, working directly on sanctions and other economic and financial issues. For more information on SAIS Rethinking Iran and future events, please visit our website: https://www.rethinkingiran.com/events