Targeting Civilians: the Human Cost of U.S. Economic Sanctions
“22 million people {in Afghanistan} are deeply food insecure. Most pockets in the country are either one or two steps away from famine. One million Afghan children are at risk for death,” said Arash Azizzada of Afghans for a Better Tomorrow. Azizzada was underscoring the dire humanitarian impacts of U.S. sanctions during NIAC’s expert […]
Watch Here: NIAC President Jamal Abdi Sits Down With METO & IPPNW
Our own President, Jamal Abdi, gives his own perspective about new developments to the Iran nuclear deal and explains what it means for the Iranian-American community.
NIAC President Jamal Abdi Sits Down With KPFA
This week, NIAC President Jamal Abdi sat down with KPFA News to talk about the latest developments with JCPOA and the “shuttle diplomacy” that took place in Vienna on April 6th.
Obstacles to Access: A Conversation on Tech Freedom and Iran
On Friday, March 26, NIAC hosted a conversation with policymakers, Internet freedom advocates, and tech industry leaders on the policies and actions the new administration and the tech industry can adopt to ensure the U.S. does not help silence Iranian voices. The panel featured special remarks from Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA) and a panel discussion with Peter Micek of Access Now, Mike Linksvayer from GitHub, and Amir Rashidi from the Miaan Group, moderated by Mana Mostatabi of NIAC. This discussion was only the first step of many we can take to support the Iranian people in advancing their fight for free expression.
The Iran Nuclear Deal or No Deal
On Wednesday, March 31, 2021, grassroots organizations from across the country joined together to present the most recent developments surrounding the JCPOA and what they may mean for the future of Iran and the rest of the Middle East.
This event featured opening remarks from Senator Chris Murphy (CT) and Congressman Ro Khanna (CA-17). Our expert panel included Peter Beinart, Professor of Journalism and Political Science at the City University of New York; Kelsey Davenport, Director of Nonproliferation Policy at Arms Control Association; Trita Parsi, Executive Vice President of the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft, and Barbara Slavin, Director of the Future of Iran Initiative and a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council; and was moderated by Jamal Abdi, President of the National Iranian American Council.
NIAC’s Norooz 1400 Series: Welcoming the Light of the New Century
On Saturday, March 20, 2021, the NIAC Los Angeles chapter welcomed Norooz, the first day of the Persian New Year with Part III of NIAC’s Norooz 1400 series with a memorable and vibrant celebration Norooz 1400: Welcoming the Light of the New Century.
NIAC’s Norooz 1400 Series: Persian Cooking with Chef Hoss Zaré
On Thursday, March 18, 2021, the NIAC San Francisco Bay Area Chapter hosted a Persian cooking event with renowned Chef Hoss Zaré as Part II of NIAC’s Norooz 1400 series, celebrating the Persian New Year that is celebrated by our community here in the United States and around the world.
NIACast Episode #14 – Professor John Ghazvinian’s New Book, “America and Iran: A History 1720 to the Present”
Assal, Sina, and Mana sat down with Professor John Ghazvinian, director of the University of Pennsylvania’s Middle East Center, to discuss his new book: America and Iran: A History 1720 to the Present. Ghazvinian’s study presents a history that is often overlooked, which goes beyond the historical grievances of the U.S. and Iran.
“Beholding Beauty”: Exploring Desire, Sexuality, and Spirituality Through Sa’di Shirazi
On Saturday, March 6, NIAC Action was thrilled to launch our first Norooz 1400 event “Beholding Beauty: Exploring Desire, Sexuality, and Spirituality Through Sa’di Shirazi” co-hosted by the NIAC Chicago, New York, and San Francisco chapters.
COVID-19 Vaccine Town Hall (in Persian)
On Sunday, February 28, 2021, NIAC Los Angeles hosted a COVID Vaccine Town Hall in Persian, open to members across the country. The purpose of this town hall was to provide accurate and up-to-date information in Farsi about the COVID vaccine.
We enjoyed an engaging discussion between esteemed panelists Dr. Farin Kamangar and Dr. Javad Aman, moderated by Dr. Kamran Tabaddor. This town hall shared important information regarding the latest research, common myths, and possible side effects of the COVID vaccine. Our panelists also answered questions from the audience about the different types of vaccines, the effect of the vaccines on people with pre-existing conditions, and the benefits of receiving the COVID vaccine.
NIACast Episode #12 – Ambassador John Limbert’s New Novel, “Believers: Love and Death in Tehran”
Assal and Mana sat down with NIAC Advisory Board Member Ambassador John Limbert to discuss his new novel with co-author Ambassador Marc Grossman, Believers: Love and Death in Tehran. Though a tale of fiction, Limbert brings his knowledge of Iran’s history, language, and culture, as well as his own experience as one of 52 American hostages held by Iranian students in 1979, to this engrossing spy novel set in Iran at the outset of the U.S. embassy seizure.
Understanding BLM: Addressing Anti-Blackness in Our Community
The Black Lives Matter protests that have swept the nation reveal a historic moment of activism across the U.S., which demands racial equality, police accountability, and social justice. That Black Americans are at the center of these efforts is no surprise given that Black history is at the center of the American story. The distinct struggle of Black Americans for freedom and equality, which has spanned centuries, has paved the way for the civil liberties of other marginalized groups, a struggle that has helped us move towards the fulfilling the foundational ideals of the United States of America.