Kasra Aarabi

Kasra Aarabi is the director of Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps research at United Against Nuclear Iran, a nonresident scholar at the Middle East Institute, and the former Iran Program lead at the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change.

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Articles by Kasra Aarabi
Iranians prepare for the Persian New Year, or Nowruz, in Tajrish Square, Tehran, on March 19.
Iranians prepare for the Persian New Year, or Nowruz, in Tajrish Square, Tehran, on March 19.

Why Don’t the Iranian People Rise Up?

Analysis
Kasra Aarabi, Saeid Golkar
Thousands of Iranians attend a rally that marks the 46th anniversary of Iran’s 1979 Islamic Revolution in Tehran, Iran, on Feb. 10.
Thousands of Iranians attend a rally that marks the 46th anniversary of Iran’s 1979 Islamic Revolution in Tehran, Iran, on Feb. 10.

Is Iran’s Regime About to Go the Way of Syria’s?

Analysis
Saeid Golkar, Kasra Aarabi
An Iranian woman holds a poster displaying Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh and other figures whose deaths have been blamed on Israel, during a funeral procession for Haniyeh in Tehran on August 1.
An Iranian woman holds a poster displaying Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh and other figures whose deaths have been blamed on Israel, during a funeral procession for Haniyeh in Tehran on August 1.

The Iranian Intelligence Failure Behind the Haniyeh Assassination

Analysis
Kasra Aarabi, Jason M. Brodsky
Members of Iran’s Basij force hold the flags of Iran, Lebanon, and proxy forces including Hezbollah during a rally commemorating Quds Day.
Members of Iran’s Basij force hold the flags of Iran, Lebanon, and proxy forces including Hezbollah during a rally commemorating Quds Day.

Iran’s Proxies in Syria Move Toward Escalation With Israel

Analysis
Kasra Aarabi, Jason M. Brodsky
Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian (left) and Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan al-Saud exchange documents after signing a memorandum of understanding in Beijing on April 6.
Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian (left) and Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan al-Saud exchange documents after signing a memorandum of understanding in Beijing on April 6.

The Real Motivation Behind Iran’s Deal With Saudi Arabia

Analysis
Saeid Golkar, Kasra Aarabi
Hossein Salami, the head of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, delivers a speech during a rally.
Hossein Salami, the head of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, delivers a speech during a rally.

Conscription Is Not an Excuse for Iran’s Revolutionary Guard

Argument
Saeid Golkar, Kasra Aarabi
Hossein Taeb, then-head of the intelligence apparatus of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, looks on during a meeting in Tehran on June 24, 2018.
Hossein Taeb, then-head of the intelligence apparatus of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, looks on during a meeting in Tehran on June 24, 2018.

Why Did Iran’s Ali Khamenei Oust a Loyal Intelligence Head?

Analysis
Saeid Golkar, Kasra Aarabi
An Iranian woman walks past an anti-American mural on the wall of the former U.S. embassy in Tehran on May 8, 2018.
An Iranian woman walks past an anti-American mural on the wall of the former U.S. embassy in Tehran on May 8, 2018.

Iran Knows Who to Blame for the Virus: America and Israel

Argument
Kasra Aarabi
Iranian mourners stand on a bridge during the final stage of funeral processions for Qassem Suleimani in Kerman on Jan. 7.
Iranian mourners stand on a bridge during the final stage of funeral processions for Qassem Suleimani in Kerman on Jan. 7.

Suleimani’s Killing Could Change the Middle East for the Better

Argument
Kasra Aarabi
Protesters gather at Tahrir Square in Baghdad, Iraq, amid ongoing anti-government demonstrations.
Protesters gather at Tahrir Square in Baghdad, Iraq, amid ongoing anti-government demonstrations.

Iran’s Regional Influence Campaign Is Starting to Flop

Argument
Kasra Aarabi
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