Articles
Explore insightful articles by Fariba Parsa on democracy, human rights, and social change.
The Ideological Parallels Between ISIS and the IRGC
At first glance, the militant movement Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) and Iran’s powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) appear to represent opposite poles…
Iran Could Reshape the Middle East and the Global Balance of Power
A secular democratic transition in Iran would weaken proxy conflicts, stabilize global energy markets, and alter strategic dynamics between the…
Ideological Convergence: How Radical Leftism and Islamism Meet in Practice
A recurring paradox in modern politics is the alliance between two ideologies that, at first glance, appear fundamentally incompatible: radical…
Iran and the Symbolism of Prince Reza Pahlavi
Understanding Iran today requires looking beyond political factions and economic crises to a deeper struggle over identity. The central tension…
Understanding the Opposition to the Islamic Republic
Analyses of dissent in Iran usually point to familiar causes: sanctions, inflation, unemployment, and elite factionalism. These factors undeniably shape…
Similarities Between 1930’s Germany and the Islamic Republic of Iran
From a structural and institutional perspective, the Islamic Republic of Iran shares several core characteristics with National Socialist Germany (1933–1945)….
Islam Is Weakening in Iran
Iran has long been labeled an Islamic Republic—both politically and demographically—with official statistics claiming over 98% of its population adheres…
A Bright Future of Governance in Iran
After more than four decades of authoritarian rule under the Islamic Republic, Iran stands at a pivotal crossroads. Economic collapse,…