Afshin Molavi: All Publications, Events and Press

Iran | Montel Across America (Air America Radio)

Erin Drankoski — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 16:27:00 -0400

In Afshin Molavi's interview with Montel Across America he discusses Iran. ... Original Audio

In Iran, a Memorial Turns Violent As Police Break Up Protests | Worldfocus

Cecille Isidro — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 13:22:00 -0400

Afshin Molavi, a fellow at the New America Foundation, joins Martin Savidge to discuss demonstrations in Iran and the ongoing political turmoil.

Iran Uprising | World Focus (PBS)

Erin Drankoski — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 12:59:00 -0400

Referendum Call Outrages Supreme Leader | The National

Cecille Isidro — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 16:28:00 -0400

... but they are ensuring that this political fight lasts,” said Afshin Molavi, an Iran expert at the Washington, DC-based New America Foundation. ...

Tensions Flare Anew in Iran Over Disputed Election | The Newshour with Jim Lehrer

Cecille Isidro — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 20:51:00 -0400

AFSHIN MOLAVI, New America Foundation: This is a hugely important moment, Judy. I mean -- and it's important historically, not just in the context of today's events.

Here you have Hashemi Rafsanjani, a lion of the revolution, a man of the system, standing forward in this importantly symbolic venue, the Friday prayer hall, and saying, "Something has gone terribly astray here."

And then he's also speaking for the voices of millions of Iranians who did feel that these elections were rigged.

Who Will Stand with Iranians?

Cecille Isidro — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 08:21:00 -0400

As Iranians took to the streets to protest a fraudulent election last month, braving tear gas, batons and bullets, pressure mounted on President Obama to take a tougher stand against the Islamic Republic's repression of peaceful dissent. Some said the president's statements were too soft. Others argued that Obama should refrain from picking sides, lest he present a pretext for hard-liners to label the protesters American stooges.

People began to argue: What should Obama do? I'd like them to ask another question: What should ordinary Americans do?

Iran Recount Gives Ahmadinejad Win | alJazeera.net

Cecille Isidro — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 12:28:00 -0400

Afshin Molavi, an Iran expert at the New America Foundation, a public policy institute in Washington DC, told Al Jazeera that the "Guardian Council is not necessarily an impartial arbiter here".

Molavi pointed out that the council's members are all appointed directly or indirectly by Ayatollah Ai Khamenei, Iran's supreme leader, who has backed Ahmadinejad's victory.

Rumors and Theories Swirl Around Protests | Washington Post

Cecille Isidro — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 20:30:00 -0400

"There is a rich tradition of conspiracy theory in Iran," said Afshin Molavi, an Iran expert at the New America Foundation, adding that the word ...

US, Others Wrangle with Response to Growing Iran Violence | Worldfocus

Cecille Isidro — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 14:59:00 -0400

Afshin Molavi, a fellow with the New America Foundation and the author of “The Soul of Iran,” joins Martin Savidge to discuss what role the US and other countries can play in ending Iran's conflict and how the protests may evolve.

Iran Finds 'No Major Fraud' in Presidential Vote | NewsHour with Jim Lehrer

Cecille Isidro — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 11:11:00 -0400

"There is a long and rich political tradition within Iran of labeling one's opponents as lackeys of America, stooges of Britain," said Afshin Molavi of the New America Foundation. "The Mousavi challenge to the current order of the Islamic Republic is ...

What Next for Iran?

Communications — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 14:48:00 -0400

Despite strong warnings from Iran's Revolutionary Guard that protests would not be tolerated, a thousand protestors gathered in central Tehran today to rally against purported voter fraud.

Global Panel on Iran | CNN

Cecille Isidro — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 09:24:00 -0400

ZAKARIA: So, take me through this option. You have Khatami, the former president, two-term president, not backing down. Rafsanjani, a former president, the very important leader of the Assembly of Experts not backing down. Larijani, the speaker of the parliament, not backing down. Can the regime really crack down? I mean, it can arrest people on the street, and it can arrest journalists like Maziar. But what does it do with these very powerful people who have now defied it?

Iran's Election

Stephanie Gunter — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 01:00:00 -0400

A New America Event
06/22/2009 - 3:30pm

On June 22, 2009 Ken Ballen, Steve Clemons, Flynt Leverett, Afshin Molavi, and Nader Mousavizadeh came together with Nicholas Schmidle at the New America Foundation to share their varied views on the current events in Iran, and how they will impact future U.S. policy toward Iran. This discussion among some of the world’s most prominent experts on the region ranged from how to interpret the riots in the streets of Tehran to the forceful debates that continue in the… more

Gauging Whether Obama Is Creating Openings in Iran | New York Times

Cecille Isidro — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 11:35:00 -0400

But Afshin Molavi, an Iran expert at the New America Foundation, said that the vast majority of Iranians today want better relations with the United States, and middle-class Iranians in particular, he said, were hoping that the Iranian regime would ...

'Khamenei Has Never Seen a Crisis Like This'

Cecille Isidro — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 07:09:00 -0400

This week's protests in Iran are truly unprecedented, says Iran expert Afshin Molavi in an interview with SPIEGEL ONLINE. The demonstrators come from all walks of life and from across the country. Discontent with Tehran's hardline leadership is widespread.

SPIEGEL ONLINE: On Thursday, a million people demonstrated in the streets of Tehran. Are we witnessing a revolution in Iran?

Militia Adds Fear to Time of Unrest | Washington Post

Cecille Isidro — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 21:37:00 -0400

But that characterization is not always true, said Afshin Molavi, a Washington-based Iran analyst at the New America Foundation who spent time with Basiji while researching a book. "The Basiji volunteer militia . . . are not monolithic," he said, ...

Moussavi: Improbable Challenger for Iranian Regime | CNN International

Cecille Isidro — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 12:04:00 -0400

"This anti-Ahmadinejad image is connecting with a lot of Iranians because many feel Ahmadinejad has gone too far, said too many outlandish things and is responsible for a serious financial crisis the country is in," said Afshin Molavi, a senior fellow ...

Iranian Election Results | Associated Press

Cecille Isidro — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 10:11:00 -0400

Afshin Molavi, a fellow at the New America Foundation, says the next three to four weeks are 'going to be crucial to the future of any potential U.S.-Iran rapprochement.' Link to video

Khamenei Has Sweeping Powers Over Government, Military and Religion in Iran | ABC News

Cecille Isidro — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 20:25:00 -0400

"These are the most significant demonstrations in the history of the Islamic Republic over the past 30 years," said Afshin Molavi, a former Reuters journalist who is now a scholar at the New America Foundation, a Washington, DC-based nonprofit, ...

After the Silence, Obama Speaks Out | The National

Cecille Isidro — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 01:25:00 -0400

Afshin Molavi, a senior fellow at the New America Foundation in Washington, said the election represents “the worst possible outcome” for the Obama administration. The White House, he said, would have preferred a victory by Mr Mousavi, ...