16
May 2017
Past Event
The Iranian Mosaic: The Struggle of Minorities for Pluralism and Federalism in Iran

The Iranian Mosaic: The Struggle of Minorities for Pluralism and Federalism in Iran

Past Event
Hudson Institute, Washington, D.C. Headquarters
May 16, 2017
Iranians shop in Tehran's ancient Grand Bazaar on January 16, 2016. (ATTA KENARE/AFP/Getty Images)
Caption
Iranians shop in Tehran's ancient Grand Bazaar on January 16, 2016. (ATTA KENARE/AFP/Getty Images)
16
May 2017
Past Event

1201 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Suite 400
Washington, DC 20004

Speakers:
Nasser Boladai

Balochistan People’s Party

Mauri Esfandiari

Komala Party

Arash Saleh

Democratic Party of Iranian Kurdistan

Dr. Karim Abdian

Democratic Solidarity Party of Alahwaz

Habib Azarsina

South Azerbaijan Alliance

Iran is an ethno-religious mosaic that includes Persian Shia in addition to a diversity of minority groups such as Azerbaijani Turks, Ahwazi, Baloch, and Kurds. Many non-Persians have felt politically and economically marginalized by the Persian-dominated theocracy in Tehran, and minority groups have been disproportionately affected by worsening state-sponsored violence and repression in recent years.

Soon, if not already, minorities will make up the majority of Iran's total population because of higher fertility rates among minority groups than their Persian counterparts. This suggests that Iran's internal stability and capacity for integration into the international order in coming years may heavily depend on Tehran's willingness to decentralize governance, create new economic opportunities for all its people, and incorporate its minorities as full citizens.

Understanding both the plight and role of minorities in shaping Iran's future is crucial for America's policy toward the Islamic Republic. On May 16, Hudson Institute and the Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization hosted a panel discussion with representatives of Iran's Azerbaijani, Kurdish, Ahwazi, and Baloch populations who are working peacefully for federalism and pluralism. The panelists discussed the status of minorities inside the Islamic Republic, and their hopes and aspirations for a better future inside Iran.

Related Events
21
November 2024
Past Event
Big Ideas for America’s New National Security Team
Featured Speakers:
Mike Gallagher
Nadia Schadlow
Peter Rough
Shyam Sankar
Marine One carrying Joe Biden flies past US Flags on April 18, 2024, in Washington, DC. (J. David Ake via Getty Images)
21
November 2024
Past Event
Big Ideas for America’s New National Security Team

Distinguished Fellow Mike Gallagher will join Palantir Chief Technology Officer Shyam Sankar and Senior Fellows Peter Rough and Nadia Schadlow to discuss what to expect from the second Trump administration and how Washington can change course by returning to hard-power principles and reasserting American dominance on the world stage.

Marine One carrying Joe Biden flies past US Flags on April 18, 2024, in Washington, DC. (J. David Ake via Getty Images)
Featured Speakers:
Mike Gallagher
Nadia Schadlow
Peter Rough
Shyam Sankar
22
November 2024
In-Person Event | Hudson Institute
Technology and Maritime Security Cooperation between NATO and the Indo-Pacific
Featured Speakers:
Fiona S. Cunningham
Nico Lange
Giulio Pugliese
Tomonori Yoshizaki
Tsuneo Watanabe
Thomas Wilkins
Kåre Groes Christiansen
Shin-ae Lee
Benedetta Berti
Tsiporah Fried
Masafumi Ishii
Kenneth R. Weinstein
Moderators:
Timothy A. Walton
Bryan Clark
Liselotte Odgaard
The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Rafael Peralta (DDG 115) and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force first-in-class helicopter destroyer JS Izumo (DDH 183) are seen from the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Robert Smalls (CG 62) while operating in the Philippine Sea in support of Valiant Shield 2024, June 7, 2024. (DVIDS)
22
November 2024
In-Person Event | Hudson Institute
Technology and Maritime Security Cooperation between NATO and the Indo-Pacific

At Hudson, two panels featuring government officials, think tank and university experts, and defense industry representatives will discuss the future of NATO-IP4 maritime and technological cooperation.

The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Rafael Peralta (DDG 115) and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force first-in-class helicopter destroyer JS Izumo (DDH 183) are seen from the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Robert Smalls (CG 62) while operating in the Philippine Sea in support of Valiant Shield 2024, June 7, 2024. (DVIDS)
Featured Speakers:
Fiona S. Cunningham
Nico Lange
Giulio Pugliese
Tomonori Yoshizaki
Tsuneo Watanabe
Thomas Wilkins
Kåre Groes Christiansen
Shin-ae Lee
Benedetta Berti
Tsiporah Fried
Masafumi Ishii
Kenneth R. Weinstein
Moderators:
Timothy A. Walton
Bryan Clark
Liselotte Odgaard
03
December 2024
In-Person Event | Hudson Institute
How the Trump Administration Can Reform the Foreign Service
Featured Speakers:
Simon Hankinson
Ambassador (ret.) Tibor Nagy
Drew Peterson
Moderator:
Matthew Boyse
The Harry S. Truman Federal Building is pictured on October 8, 2024, in Washington, DC. (Kevin Dietsch via Getty Images)
03
December 2024
In-Person Event | Hudson Institute
How the Trump Administration Can Reform the Foreign Service

Join Senior Fellow Matt Boyse for a conversation with three former senior foreign service officers on the opportunities for and challenges for State Department reform during the second Trump administration.

The Harry S. Truman Federal Building is pictured on October 8, 2024, in Washington, DC. (Kevin Dietsch via Getty Images)
Featured Speakers:
Simon Hankinson
Ambassador (ret.) Tibor Nagy
Drew Peterson
Moderator:
Matthew Boyse
21
November 2024
Past Event
Strategic Challenges Facing the US–South Korea Alliance
Featured Speakers:
Patrick M. Cronin
Randall G. Schriver
Heungkyu Kim
Jennifer Lee
Ankit Panda
Jae Jeok Park
Olivia Enos
Yein Nam
The South Korean and American flags fly next to each other at Yongin, South Korea, on August 23, 2016. (DVIDS)
21
November 2024
Past Event
Strategic Challenges Facing the US–South Korea Alliance

Join Hudson for keynote remarks and an expert panel discussion on Korean policy challenges and priorities as well as ways the next US administration can minimize policy disruptions during the transition and find further strategic convergence with the ROK.

The South Korean and American flags fly next to each other at Yongin, South Korea, on August 23, 2016. (DVIDS)
Featured Speakers:
Patrick M. Cronin
Randall G. Schriver
Heungkyu Kim
Jennifer Lee
Ankit Panda
Jae Jeok Park
Olivia Enos
Yein Nam