Farideh Farhi's Blog

Three Revelations from the Non-Aligned Summit

Farideh Farhi                    The Non-Aligned Movement summit in Tehran highlighted three aspects about Iran’s foreign relations and domestic politics.             First, given Iran’s geographic location and resources, many countries in the neighborhood believe it is simply not good business to…

Iran’s deepening internal battle

Farideh Farhi Two years after his controversial re-election, President Ahmadinejad faces mounting pressure from the supreme leader, parliament and the Guardian Council on several issues. Is his presidency really in jeopardy?President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad may or may not survive his second term.…

Rafsanjani Dislodged From a Top Job

Farideh Farhi Iran’s Assembly of Experts voted March 8 to replace former President Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani from the chairmanship. What happened and why is the outcome significant?On March 8, the Assembly of Experts, effectively pushed former President Rafsanjani from the leadership of a top…

Iran’s Troubled Five-Year Plan

Farideh Farhi         After months of wrangling, Iran’s parliament finally approved the outline of a new five-year economic, cultural and social plan on Oct. 30. Yet the vote underscored the divide within Iran’s legislature. The plan is also both so overly ambitious and so vague that the…