NIAC inSight - Official Blog of the National Iranian American Council (NIAC)

“A Single Roll of the Dice”

Lily Samimi — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 23:26:20 +0000

In the sixteenth episode of “Let’s Talk Iran”, we sit down with NIAC’s very own, Trita Parsi to discuss his latest book, “A Single Roll of the Dice: Obama’s Diplomacy with Iran”. Trita uncovers the previously unknown story of American and Iranian negotiations during Obama’s early years as president, the calculations behind the two nations’ dealings, and the real reasons for their current stalemate. “A Single Roll of the Dice” is available on Kindle, Amazon and in hard copy. To learn more about Trita Parsi, visit www.tritaparsi.com.

“Bridge to Iran” & Iranian Documentary Film

Lily Samimi — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 21:45:14 +0000

In this episode, we talk with Parisa Soultani, host of LinkTV’s “Bridge to Iran“, about their Iranian documentary series.

The series fills a knowledge gap by providing Americans with informed, insider’s views on modern Iranian society, through documentaries made by Iranian directors, living both inside Iran and within the Iranian diaspora.

The series kicks off on Tuesday, February 14 with a film by Takmil Homayoun entitled “Iran: A Cinematographic Revolution.”

Visit www.linktv.org/bridgetoiran for more information.

Iranian Schindler: Sardari’s Plight to Save Iranian-Jews

Lily Samimi — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 18:00:19 +0000

We discuss with Fariborz Mohktari, his latest book, “In the Lion’s Shadow”, detailing the work of an Iranian Schindler, Abdol-Hossein Sardari during World War II. Mokhtari tells the story of Sardari and his plight to save Iranian-Jews in France as well as detailing Iran’s international relations during this time. Mokhtari is a Professor of Political Science at the Near East South Asia Center for Strategic Studies.

Rising Tensions, Rising Threat?

Lily Samimi — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 22:06:26 +0000

Presidential GOP candidates calling for war with Iran. Crippling sanctions on Iran’s Central Bank. Assassination of Iranian nuclear scientist. Threats to block the Strait of Hormuz. Sentencing of an American former marine. What does this all mean for U.S.-Iran relations? We sit down with NIAC’s very own, Reza Marashi (Research Director) to examine the threat of war and potential for diplomacy.

The Parallels Between Iraq and Iran

Lily Samimi — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 16:56:03 +0000

What are the parallels in Iraq’s former nuclear program and Iran’s current nuclear program? What can we learn from the Iraq of the past when dealing with Iran of the present? We discuss these questions and more with expert on Iraqi weapons of mass destruction program and current assistant professor at the Norwegian Defense University College, Malfrid Braut-Hegghammer. Click here to read Malfrid’s recent piece in the NY Times entitled, “The Real Lesson of Iraq”.

Is Iran Building a Nuke?

Lily Samimi — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 17:28:29 +0000

What new information has the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) report revealed concerning Iran’s nuclear program? What next steps should the Obama Administration and Congress take towards Iran? These questions and more are answered in the 11th episode of Let’s Talk Iran with Ali Vaez, Director of the Iran project at the Federation of American Scientist. Ali’s work focuses on Iran’s nuclear and missile programs, researching options for enhanced safeguards on Iran’s nuclear activities and advocating positive sum diplomacy in resolving the standoff between Iran and the U.S.

Implications of Tougher Sanctions

Lily Samimi — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 19:14:19 +0000

Discussion with renowned Iranian economist and business consultant, Bijan Khajehpour on the economic and political implications of tougher sanctions on Iran. Bijan discusses the winners and losers of tough sanctions and suggests key policy initiatives the U.S. and Iran can take to diffuse the current crises. Bijan Khajehpour was falsely accused of taking part in the protests directly following the June 2009 elections. He was imprisoned in Evin prison for 3 months, however, after much international pressure and protest he was released. Bijan is the chairman and co-founder of Atieh Group, a group of strategic consulting firms that works with leading multinational companies in Iran.

Iran Trade Sanctions and You

Lily Samimi — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 22:25:58 +0000

In the 9th episode of “Let’s Talk Iran”, we interview Erich Ferrari, expert on trade sanctions law. How are sanctions enforced? How do sanctions affect the Iranian-American community? What would the new proposal to sanction the Central Bank of Iran mean for the Iranian-American community? Listen to find the answer to these questions and more. Visit www.ferrari-legal.com for more information.

Promoting Global Solidarity & Peace through Art

Lily Samimi — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 19:10:20 +0000

Iara Lee is filmmaker, activist, and Director of CulturesofResistance.org. In 2008, Iara lived in Iran and supported a number of cultural exchange projects between Iran and the West with the goal of using arts & culture for peaceful democratic change within Iran.

Iara was spoke with us about her time in Iran and her insight on how creative art is being used as an initiative for change within Iran.

Use and Misuse of the Word “Terrorism” – Let’s Talk Iran

David Elliott — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 15:29:11 +0000

Discussing the use and misuse of the word “terrorism” with commentator, activist, attorney and author of her award-winning book War on Error: Real Stories of American Muslims, Melody Moezzi. Melody addresses the media’s role in politicizing the term and what the likely implications are for the Iranian-American community and U.S. policy.