Iran at a Crossroads: Protests, Sanctions, and Political Futures
Speaker Professor Narges Bajoghli ( Johns Hopkins University), professor Vali R. Nasr (Johns Hopkins University), professor Didem Z. Havlioğlu (Moderator) (Duke University), Mohsen Kadivar (Duke University) & professor Omid Safi (Duke University).
This roundtable brings together leading scholars of Iran, both in-person and virtually, to examine how recent protests, U.S. sanctions, and state power intersect to shape the country's current conditions and future trajectories. Panelists will analyze the interplay between social movements, economic pressures, and geopolitical constraints, situating these dynamics within broader historical and regional contexts. The discussion will explore the implications of these forces for Iran's future governance, its role in the region, and its relations with global powers. By emphasizing historical depth, lived experiences, and competing visions for change, the roundtable offers a nuanced analysis that moves beyond headline-driven narratives.
Didem Z. Havlioğlu (Moderator): Associate Professor of the Practice of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies, Duke University
Didem Z. Havlioğlu is a scholar of early modern Ottoman literary culture, focusing on language, gender, and intellectual history. Her book Mihri Hatun: Performance, Gender-Bending, and Subversion in Ottoman Intellectual History reevaluates authorship and dissent through the life and writings of one of the earliest known Ottoman women poets. At Duke, she is actively involved in interdisciplinary teaching and the development of language programs, including the expansion of Turkish studies.
Narges Bajoghli: Associate Professor of Anthropology and Middle East Studies, Johns Hopkins University SAIS
Narges Bajoghli is a scholar, writer, and filmmaker whose work explores revolutions, war, media, and power in Iran. She co-directs the Rethinking Iran Initiative and leads Parallax: The Human Stories Lab. Her award-winning book Iran Reframed: Anxieties of Power in the Islamic Republic offers a groundbreaking ethnographic account of how media and military institutions shape political authority in Iran.
Vali R. Nasr: Majid Khadduri Professor of International Affairs and Middle East Studies, Johns Hopkins University SAIS
Vali R. Nasr is a leading scholar of Middle East politics, Islam, and international affairs, with particular expertise on Iran, sectarian dynamics, and U.S. foreign policy. He previously served as Dean of Johns Hopkins SAIS and as Senior Advisor to the U.S. Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan. His influential book The Shia Revival: How Conflicts within Islam Will Shape the Future examines the political and geopolitical consequences of Shiʿi resurgence in the Middle East.
Mohsen Kadivar: Research Professor of Religious Studies, Duke University.
An internationally recognized scholar of classical and modern Islamic thought, Kadivar is the author of more than thirty books and a leading voice in reformist Islamic thought. As a political dissident in Iran, he has been a vocal critic of clerical rule and a strong advocate for democratic and liberal reforms. His opposition to authoritarianism and Islamic theocracy in Iran resulted in his imprisonment from 1999 to 2000.
Omid Safi: Professor of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies, Duke University
Omid Safi is a scholar of Islamic mysticism (Sufism) and contemporary Islamic thought, and the former director of the Duke Islamic Studies Center. His scholarship straddles publications and public scholarship, social justice and mysticism. His latest book, Radical Love: Teachings from the Islamic Mystical Tradition. He leads retreats in Turkey and Morocco, and Umrah programs, through Illuminated Courses and Tours.
Additional Location Information
NOTE: Due to Duke’s Severe Weather Policy, the scheduled for Monday, February 2 at 5:00 PM, will be held via Zoom.
Registration link: http://tinyurl.com/dukeiranevent
Asian and Middle Eastern Studies