Brookings: Experts - Djavad Salehi-Isfahani

Iran Sanctions: Who Really Wins?

Wed, 30 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Iranian officials agreed in principle with the United States and five other international powers in Geneva to export their uranium enrichment program in exchange for a halt in UN sanctions action. Djavad Salehi-Isfahani argues that sanctions would be the wrong choice anyway. Existing sanctions have had no discernible effect on Iran's nuclear policy, and harsher sanctions may actually strengthen President Ahmadinejad's populist control of the economy.

Political and Economic Woes Thwart Return to Normalcy in Iran

Thu, 30 Jul 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Following his return from Tehran, Djavad Salehi-Isfahani speaks to NPR’s Marketplace about festering political and economic discontent in Iran following the June elections. Bringing the country’s economy in for a soft landing will pose a significant challenge to the government, he notes, as Iranian citizens struggle to get back to their daily lives.

After the Iranian Uprising

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Looking past Iran’s recent election crisis, growing trade and budget deficits will hamper Ahmadinejad’s second term and his penchant for redistributionist policies, Djavad Salehi-Isfahani warns. While the administration will face pressure to continue expansionist policies, Salehi-Isfahani predicts that Iranians will pay the price through high inflation and low growth.

How the Economy Plays into Iran's Turmoil

Wed, 24 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT

In an interview on NPR’s Marketplace, Djavad Salehi-Isfahani reports from Iran that the post-election political stalemate has put a halt to much economic and social activity in Tehran. Winning back the full participation and confidence of Iran’s “technical elite”—its doctors, engineers, and lawyers—will be a grave challenge for the new government.

Iran's Election: Economic Fears and Discontents

Tue, 23 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Djavad Salehi-Isfahani continues to monitor post-election unrest from Tehran. He writes that deep social and economic divisions will continue to weaken the fabric of Iranian society, and will present a challenge for the next government as it attempts to reverse growing inequality in the country.

Iran's Economy: Trouble in Tehran

Mon, 22 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Djavad Salehi-Isfahani assesses Iran's recent economic performance in Foreign Policy magazine, arguing that the country’s policymakers have amassed a mixed record. While government spending in the past year was based on safe estimates of oil prices, high levels of social spending will be hard to maintain and the private sector will struggle to revive the Iranian economy in 2009.

What if Ahmadinejad Really Won?

Tue, 16 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT

As demonstrations continue in the wake of the Iranian election, Djavad Salehi-Isfahani writes from Tehran that the concentration of protests in Iran's large urban areas is not a coincidence: rural and small town voters may prioritize different social and political issues than their young, urban counterparts.

Iran's Presidential Elections: A Surge of Reformists in Politics

Wed, 10 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT

The highly anticipated Iranian presidential election marks a major turning point in Iranian politics. With over 30 million expected voters, Djavad Salehi-Isfanani analyzes the campaign, what’s at stake and states that this election demonstrates Iranian political progress.

Missed by the Boom, Hurt by the Bust: Making Markets Work for Young People in the Middle East

Thu, 14 May 2009 00:00:00 GMT

A new Middle East Youth Initiative report is the first of its kind to assess the early risks faced by young people during the economic downturn, calling on policy makers to help prevent an intensified jobs crisis in the region.

Tough Times Ahead for the Iranian Economy

Mon, 06 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Djavad Salehi-Isfahani questions if Iran’s next president will proceed with the difficult but necessary reforms to build healthy and viable non-oil export sectors. Or, in the hopes of gaining political points, will they opt for short-term populist policies?

Global Economic Crisis: Coping Mechanisms in Oil-Exporting Economies of the Middle East

Thu, 05 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Djavad Salehi-Isfahani argues that the ongoing economic slowdown may stimulate development of new tradeable industries in oil-exporting countries. While large stocks of reserves may allow some countries to delay reform, external trade deficits and budget shortfalls will force some, like Iran, to consider more urgent fiscal adjustments.

Iran: Poverty and Inequality Since the Revolution

Thu, 29 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Thirty years after the Iranian revolution proclaimed social justice as a principle tenet, Djavad Salehi-Isfahani analyzes trends in inequality, poverty, and access to education and health services. While strides have been made, the record of the Ahmadinejad administration, up for re-election, is mixed.

Slipping Oil Prices: Is the Oil Rich Middle East Prepared?

Tue, 21 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT

In the first commentary in the series, Food, Fuel, and Finance: How Will the Middle East Weather the Global Economic Crisis? Djavad Salehi-Isfahani examines how declining oil prices will affect government spending and youth-targeted development in the region. Compared to the 1980’s oil price collapse, today’s policy-makers face a more complex set of challenges, including a volatile global economy and large numbers of unemployed youth.

Stalled Youth Transitions in the Middle East

Mon, 13 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT

The confluence of economic growth in the Middle East and millions of youth ready to hit the job market could be a recipe for prosperity. However, young people are encountering numerous obstacles. Navtej Dhillon, Director of the Middle East Youth Initiative, and Djavad Salehi-Isfahani, Visiting Fellow at the Wolfensohn Center for Development, argue that the root cause of youth exclusion lies in the institutions that mediate transitions from school to work and family formation.

Top 10 Global Economic Challenges Facing America's 44th President

Fri, 10 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT

As President-Elect Obama prepares to lead the United States, what are the top global economic challenges facing the new president and his advisors and how should the new administration address them? A new report by Brookings global economic and development experts ranks the top 10 issues and details specific ideas for how to tackle the toughest challenges.

Egypt’s Education System: Parents and Students Emerge as a New Force for Reform

Wed, 01 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Navtej Dhillon, Amina Fahmy, and Djavad Salehi-Isfahani discuss the troubled state of Egypt’s education system, demonstrated most recently by the organized leaking of national exams. Growing frustration among parents and students can be remedied by reforming signals from the labor market and university admissions policies.

Has Poverty Increased in Iran Under Ahmadinejad?

Tue, 05 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Contrary to recent findings by the Central Bank of Iran, Brookings Djavad Salehi-Isfahani argues poverty rates in Iran are not high when compared to international standards for developing countries, nor do they appear to be rising. However, income inequality is on the rise and poses a challenge to President Ahmadinejad in his 2009 re-election bid.

Iran's Economy: Short Term Performance and Long Term Potential

Fri, 23 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT

In recent remarks at a Congressional staff briefing hosted by Security for a New Century, Djavad Salehi-Isfahani addressed current trends in Iran’s economy. He noted that high levels of investment, an increasingly active private sector, low poverty levels, and a lively public debate on the economy provide hope for long-term stability and development. Yet high levels of youth unemployment, especially among women, and weak institutions remain areas for concern.

Can the Middle East Build a Global Middle Class?

Mon, 19 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT

President Bush recently returned from his five day tour in the Middle East where he spoke at the World Economic Forum about aligning economic growth with political reform. Navtej Dhillon and Djavad Salehi Isfahani of the Middle East Youth Initiative examine the role of the middle class in the context of a regional oil boom and a demographic boon.

Are Iranian Women Overeducated?

Wed, 05 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT

With the number of women outnumbering men two to one in Iranian universities, closing this gender gap in education has been hailed as one of the country’s most important achievements. Because women graduates are one-third less likely to work than men, there is concern about women taking up precious spaces at publicly subsidized universities. Djavad Salehi-Isfahani, visiting fellow with the Wolfensohn Center for Development, discusses the unnecessary use of affirmative action that universities are taking to control the imbalance in enrollments and argues limiting women’s educational rights will hinder the country’s economic development.

Interdependence of Youth Transitions

Wed, 30 Jan 2008 12:23:11 GMT

Djavad Salehi-Isfahani outlines the major issues facing youth in the Middle East and why pro-youth policies would benefit everyone.

Intense Competition for University Admission Drives Families to Stress and Education Policies to Reform

Fri, 21 Dec 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Brookings Visiting Fellow Djavad Salehi-Isfahani discusses the effects that studying for university admissions have on families in Iran and how education policy reform can improve this stressful situation.

On the Right Track? Iran Edges toward Education Reform

Tue, 11 Dec 2007 00:00:00 GMT

With Iran's recent move to adopt into law the guidelines to eliminate the national university entrance examinations, Brookings Scholar Djavad Salehi-Isfahani discusses the importance of educational testing and the historical significance of this large exam.

Youth Exclusion in Iran: The State of Education, Employment and Family Formation

Sun, 30 Sep 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Iran’s large youth population has led to overcrowding in schools, gender imbalance in the marriage market and increased pressure on the nation’s rigid formal labor market. By focusing on three crucial transitions, Djavad Salehi-Isfahani and Daniel Egel analyze the challenges facing youth in Iran and opportunities for the country to tap into its demographic dividend.