For the second part in our series of conversations with the authors featured in "My Shadow Is My Skin: Voices from the Iranian Diaspora," Assal sat down with Darius Atefar-Peckham, an up and coming poet whose contribution to the anthology, "Learning Farsi," is a reflection on his mother's passing when he was just 3 and the Iranian identity she handed down to him. "My Shadow is My Skin" is available at your local bookstore or here: https://www.amazon.com/My-Shadow-Skin-Iranian-Diaspora-ebook/dp/B0813R56KR ..read more

A new anthology, "My Shadow Is My Skin: Voices from the Iranian Diaspora," presents 30 essays on the Iranian-American experience from a range of authors. Mana and Assal speak with the editors, Katherine Whitney and Leila Emery. Order your copy today through your local bookstore! Also available on Amazon: https://smile.amazon.com/My-Shadow-Skin-Iranian-Diaspora-ebook/dp/B0813R56KR ..read more

The U.S. government lost its case against Sirous Asgari. But just moments after a judge dismissed the charges against him, Dr. Asgari was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and is being held indefinitely. Now, as he fights for his freedom, he is sounding the alarm about the dangerous conditions in ICE detention facilities that put him and his fellow detainees at risk of contracting coronavirus. This week we speak with attorney Mehrnoush Yazdanyar who is working with Dr. Asgari to help secure his freedom. (You can sign the petition to ICE here: https://www.change.org/p/i ..read more

One of the many great things about Yasmin Khan is that she feeds you both knowledge and tasty treats. Yasmin is a writer, cook and campaigner who loves to share people’s stories through food. She's also a regular media commentator and runs cooking classes, pop-up supper clubs and writing retreats around the world. Prior to immersing herself in the fragrances and flavors of the Persian kitchen, Yasmin worked as a human rights campaigner, running national and international campaigns for NGOs and grassroots groups, with special focus on the Middle East. Visit her website at www.thesaffrontal ..read more

On May 24, 2022, NIAC hosted a virtual panel to explore the human impact of broad sanctions and hear from diaspora community organizations about the effects on the ground in Cuba, Venezuela, Afghanistan, Yemen, and Iran. The panel featured Arash Azizzada from Afghans For A Better Tomorrow, Dr. Aisha Jumaan from Yemen Relief and Reconstruction Foundation, Dr. Francisco Rodriguez from Oil for Venezuela, Ricardo Herrero of the Cuba Study Group, NIAC Research Director Dr. Assal Rad, and moderator Daniel Jasper of American Friends Services Committee. Read our letter to ..read more

NIAC hosted a panel discussion with Neda Maghbouleh (author of The Limits of Whiteness, John Ghazvinian (author of America and Iran: a History, 1720 to the Present), racial justice advocate Niaz Kasravi, NIAC Research Director Assal Rad and moderator Yara Elmjouie to discuss how negative stereotypes of Iran and Iranians help drive harmful U.S. policies that undermine human and civil rights at home and abroad.  Read the NIAC report by Dr. Rad: Othering Iran: How Dehumanization of Iranians Undermines Rights at Home ..read more

On May 10, 2022, NIAC hosted Ellie Geranmayeh of the European Council on Foreign Relations, Kelsey Davenport of the Arms Control Association, and sanctions attorney Tyler Cullis for a live discussion on the state of the Iran nuclear negotiations moderated by NIAC's Jamal Abdi. The panel discussed  the Trump-era sanctions that are holding up the nuclear agreement, the imminent proliferation risks if there is no deal, and how politics may be preventing Biden from reaching the finish line. More information is available here ..read more

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. You can follow John on Twitter @JohnGhazvinian and get your copy of America and Iran here ..read more

Mana sits down with Rep Anna Eskamani, Happy Valley Councilor David Emami, and Dr. Nazita Lajevardi to talk Iranian-American civic life, political engagement, barriers to participation, and more! Representative Anna Eskamani is an Orlando native, the Florida House of Representative from the 47th district in Orange County, and the first ever Iranian American to be elected to the Florida legislature. She tweets @AnnaForFlorida Happy Valley Councilor David Emami is a life-long Oregonian who in March 2019 became the first ever Iranian-American to serve on a city council in Oregon. He tweets @David ..read more

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. Share your comments with Ambassador Limbert at podcast@niacouncil.org and get your copy of Believers here ..read more