RAND Experts Available to Discuss Coming Iranian Elections

On March 2, Iranians will elect new members of the Majles, or parliament. Much like the 2009 presidential election, this year's parliamentary election could be marked by controversy and protests. The reformist Green Movement is boycotting the election. In addition, Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, is particularly keen on preventing President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and his supporters from winning a large number of seats in parliament. This is a sensitive time for the Iranian government, especially as it faces mounting international sanctions and the possibility of military strikes against its nuclear facilities.

Media are invited to join RAND experts on a conference call at 11 a.m. E.T. on Tuesday, Feb. 21 to discuss the significance of these elections, particularly in the light of escalating tensions with Israel; why so few reformist candidates are running for these positions; how reported internet outages in Iran prior to the election might indicate an attempt to pre-empt any reformist protests; and what U.S. policymakers should consider following the election.

Keith Crane and Alireza Nader will be on the media call; media also can contact Amb. James Dobbins and Dalia Dassa Kaye for other interviews on this topic.

Keith Crane is the director of the Environment, Energy, and Economic Development program at RAND Corporation, as well as a professor at the Pardee RAND Graduate School. He is one of the co-authors of "Iran's Political, Demographic, and Economic Vulnerabilities," and has done extensive work on issues related to China, Iraq, Iran and the Middle East.

Amb. James Dobbins is the director of the RAND International Security and Defense Policy Center, and a former U.S. Ambassador to the European Union. He has led a series of RAND studies on nation building in post-conflict countries. He is one of the co-authors of "Coping with a Nuclearizing Iran."

Dalia Dassa Kaye is a RAND senior political scientist and a faculty member at the Pardee RAND Graduate School. She is one of the co-authors of "Coping with a Nuclearizing Iran," "Israel and Iran: A Dangerous Rivalry," and "Iran's Nuclear Future: Critical U.S. Policy Choices."

Alireza Nader is a senior international policy analyst at the RAND Corporation. His research has focused on Iran's political dynamics, elite decision-making, and Iranian foreign policy. He is one of the co-authors of "Israel and Iran: A Dangerous Rivalry," "Coping with a Nuclearizing Iran," and "Iran's Nuclear Future: Critical U.S. Policy Choices."

To participate in the call or arrange an interview with any of our experts, send an e-mail to media@rand.org, or call (703) 413-1100, ext. 4795 or (310) 451-6913. We will be happy to provide you with the call-in number you will need for this event.