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{
  "authors": [
    "Karim Sadjadpour"
  ],
  "type": "testimony",
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  "centers": [
    "Carnegie Endowment for International Peace",
    "Malcolm H. Kerr Carnegie Middle East Center"
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    "U.S. Nuclear Policy"
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  "primaryCenter": "Malcolm H. Kerr Carnegie Middle East Center",
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  "regions": [
    "North America",
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Source: Getty

Testimony
Malcolm H. Kerr Carnegie Middle East Center

Iran: Reality, Opinions, and Consequences

The United States must alter its democracy promotion strategy, which has been unconstructive and counterproductive, and make clear that it has no intention of undermining Iran's territorial integrity. A move away from democracy promotion, however, should not signal indifference to human rights abuses.

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By Karim Sadjadpour
Published on Oct 30, 2007
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Nuclear Policy

The Nuclear Policy Program aims to reduce the risk of nuclear war. Our experts diagnose acute risks stemming from technical and geopolitical developments, generate pragmatic solutions, and use our global network to advance risk-reduction policies. Our work covers deterrence, disarmament, arms control, nonproliferation, and nuclear energy.

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Middle East

The Middle East Program in Washington combines in-depth regional knowledge with incisive comparative analysis to provide deeply informed recommendations. With expertise in the Gulf, North Africa, Iran, and Israel/Palestine, we examine crosscutting themes of political, economic, and social change in both English and Arabic.

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Source: Testimony before the House Oversight Committee's National Security and Foreign Affairs Subcommittee

On October 30, 2007, Carnegie's Karim Sadjadpour testified before the Subcommittee on National Security and Foreign Affairs at a hearing on "Iran: Reality, Opinions, and Consequences.”  

Click on the PDF icon above to read Sadjadpour's written testimony.

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Sadjadpour explained the views of the Iranian people and the effect those views have on Iranian and U.S. foreign policy. He made the following points:

  • The discontent in Iran is deeply felt, widespread, and largely economic, but factors such as the Iraq war have tempered Iranian desire for abrupt change.
  • Tehran is not a microcosm of Iran.
  • Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has failed to deliver on campaign promises, but his fate is uncertain.
  • The degree of popular support for the nuclear issue has been exaggerated.
  • The government’s enmity toward the U.S. and Israel doesn’t resonate on the Iranian street, but the U.S. has lost political capital among Iranians.
  • The Iranian public has little impact on the country’s foreign policy.

Outlining the implications for U.S. foreign policy he said:

  • In the current climate, U.S. democracy promotion efforts have been unconstructive and counterproductive.
  • Objective, professional, Persian-language news sources would be well-received in Iran.
  • A sudden upheaval or abrupt political change is unlikely to be for the better.
  • The United States should make it clear that it has no intention of undermining Iran’s territorial integrity.
  • Altering democracy promotion efforts does not mean indifference to human rights abuses.
Karim Sadjadpour
Senior Fellow, Middle East Program
Karim Sadjadpour
Foreign PolicyNuclear PolicyNorth AmericaUnited StatesMiddle EastIran

Carnegie does not take institutional positions on public policy issues; the views represented herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Carnegie, its staff, or its trustees.

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