Karim Sadjadpour
Senior Fellow, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace Writer/Analyst
An expert on Iran and US foreign policy toward the Middle East, Karim Sadjadpour is sought out at the highest levels of government around the world to advise on Iran and the geopolitical implications of changes in the region. He is a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, and an advisor to the Aspen Institute's Congressional Program on the Middle East. He is also an adjunct professor at Georgetown University's School of Foreign Service.
Those born after 1979 may not remember a time when Iran was not at odds with the United States, but Karim Sadjadpour reminds us that Iran's antagonistic position is relatively recent: Over the long arc of history, Iran enjoyed warmer relations with the United States, and, for thousands of years, their Jewish neighbors. Now, as Iran continues to choose ideology over its geopolitical best interests, both its internal and external relationships continue to strain. But for how much longer?
The time has come to prepare for a post-Khamenei Iran. At age 85, Ali Khamenei is presently the world's longest-serving dictator, ruling over a relatively young population that is restless for change. With the implosion of the current regime more a question of when than if, it is crucial for the United States and its allies to understand the implications and opportunities of such a shift. When Iran begins to act like a rational state, what will that mean for the region and for the world?
Sadjadpour has written for Foreign Affairs, The Atlantic, and the New York Times, and has commentated on platforms like NPR, PBS News Hour, and CNN. He is currently writing a book on radicalism, to be published by Knopf.
Raised in the United States, he has lived in Latin America, Europe, and the Middle East, including Iran and Lebanon. He speaks Spanish, Italian, Persian, and is proficient in Arabic.
Topics
Social and geopolitical implications of a post-Khamenei Iran
Iran is a nation pivotal to world security, and Karim Sadjadpour understands that the path to peace often resembles a chessboard whose colors change with every move. But Sadjadpour has studied the game; He knows the players and their motivations. Sought out as a leading expert and advisor on Iran and US-Middle East relations, Sadjadpour is well positioned to guide us through what he expects to be a time of significant change for Iran and for the world.
Those born after 1979 may not remember a time when Iran was not at odds with the United States, but Karim Sadjadpour reminds us that Iran's antagonistic position is relatively recent: Over the long arc of history, Iran enjoyed warmer relations with the United States, and, for thousands of years, their Jewish neighbors. Now, as Iran continues to choose ideology over its geopolitical best interests, both its internal and external relationships continue to strain. But for how much longer?
In this talk Karim Sadjadpour outlines how a possible post-Khamenei Iran might emerge: Better treatment of women, more opportunities for its own population, and less "brain drain." More broadly, he maps out the possible effects of such change on industries like energy and finance, and on the ever-shifting balance of world powers.
Show more
The Middle East after Ali Khamenei
By choosing ideology over its own best interests, Iran has not just antagonized the United States and Israel, but fanned the flames of conflict in the Middle East. In this talk, Karim Sadjadpour discusses what to expect in the Middle East after Iran's current regime implodes: How will this change affect Iran's existing and new trading partners? The energy industry? Iran's own population? If Iran begins to act in its own best economic and geopolitical interests, will the wider region be the better for it? Could a post-Khamenei Iran foster a more prosperous, peaceful Middle East?
Show more
The Future of Palestine
After so much death and destruction, will Gaza, in its recovery, become a breeding ground for future radicals? What lessons can we learn from the rise of Al Qaeda following the Afghan War of the 1980's, or the more recent emergence of ISIS from Iraq since 2013? Is extremism born out of warzones inevitable or preventable, and how is it to be countered?
Show more
Lessons for college students (and for life) from an expert on conflict and peace
In a time when conflict in the Middle East is at the forefront of issues young people care about, Karim Sadjadpour imparts lessons from his work on peace and policy to the next generation. A senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for Peace, and advisor to diplomats and policy makers on the Middle East, Karim Sadjadpour asks:
What can we learn from The Islamic Republic of Iran about the difference between values and ideology?
How can we protect our beliefs without violating the rights of others and isolating potential allies?
This talk is invaluable for passionate minds setting out into a complex world. Sadjadpour provides guidance for managing not just the world they've inherited, but for understanding the value of relationships as they work for change.
Show more
Videos
Books
This speaker does not have any books yet.
Articles
Podcasts
Testimonials
This speaker does not have any Articles yet.
Related speakers
No related speakers.
