Repression and Stability: Iran’s View on Ethnic Minority Policies in the Region

Alirza Quluncu, Voice of America, November 2, 2017

Alirza Ardabili

In an interview with Voice of America, researcher and writer Alireza Ardabili evaluated the activities of political forces belonging to ethnic communities in Turkey, Iran, Iraq, and Syria. According to him, when comparing recent events concerning ethnic communities in Middle Eastern countries, a negative picture emerges that seemingly justifies the Iranian government’s approach.

Iran’s Power Play: Nationalism, Shiism, and Regional Rivalry

Alirza Quluncu, Voice of America, January 23, 2016

Alirza Ardabili

Alireza Ardabili states that the main factors driving tensions between the Islamic Republic of Iran and Saudi Arabia are nationalism, political rivalry, and leadership ambitions rooted in the Shiite-Sunni divide. In a conversation with Voice of America, the Southern Azerbaijani writer and political commentator discussed the factors contributing to these problems, the potential impact of the lifting of sanctions imposed on Iran due to its nuclear program, and the stance of non-Persian organizations on Iran’s foreign policy.

Alirza Ardabili: Racism in Iran has brought Arabs and Turks closer together

Alirza Quluncu, Voice of America, May 01, 2015

Alirza Ardabili

Alirza Ardabili considers the recent wave of anti-Arab sentiment in Iran as a reflection of a mood that has existed deep within society and has surfaced due to current events. In an interview with Voice of America, the southern journalist and political commentator discussed the role of Turks and Arabs in Iranian history, the discrimination and violence faced by these two communities, as well as the proximity and collaboration between the Ahvaz and Azerbaijani national movements.

The National Movement in Azerbaijan and the Legacy of the 1945-46 National Government

Alirza Quluncu, Voice of America, December 25, 2014

Alirza Ardabili

In an interview with Voice of America, Tribun website editor Alireza Ardabili discussed whether the democratic and progressive values adopted by the Azerbaijani National Government established in 1945-46 are reflected in the activities of various political movements currently existing in Iranian Azerbaijan.

Geopolitical Uncertainty and the Security Dilemma of Iranian Azerbaijan

Dilshad Aliyarli - Voice of America, October 9, 2014

The strengthening of the Islamic State group in the Middle East is considered one of the main threats to the national security of regional countries. In a Skype interview with the “America Icmalı” program of Voice of America, Alirza Ardabili, a South Azerbaijani activist living in Sweden, discussed the repercussions of regional events in Iran and the impact of the current situation on Iranian Azerbaijan.

Alirza Ardabili: "The Iranian People Are Tolerant Toward Other Sects and Moving Toward Secularism"

Alirza Quluncu, Voice of America, July 4, 2014

Alirza Ardabili

Alirza Ardabili does not believe that religious conflicts will erupt in Iran in the event of the fall of the Islamic Republic. In his view, living under a Sharia-based government has secularized the Iranian population.

Reclaiming History: Azerbaijani Turks Break Free from Soviet and Iranian Narratives on the Azerbaijan National Government

Alirza Quluncu, Voice of America, December 13, 2013

Alirza Ardabili

"Today, Azerbaijani Turks no longer evaluate the National Government established by Seyid Jafar Pishavari through a Soviet or Iranian perspective; they have developed their own unique viewpoint," says the editor of Tribun website. In an interview with Voice of America, Alireza Ardabili assessed the different perspectives of Soviet, Iranian, and Azerbaijani historiography on the Azerbaijan National Government established in southern Azerbaijan in 1945-46.

Alireza Ardabili: The Iranian Government Deliberately Labels National Activists as Pan-Turkists

Alirza Quluncu, Voice of America, August 16, 2013

Alirza Ardabili

Alireza Ardabili rejects the existence of any group or movement representing Pan-Turkist ideology in Iran. In an interview with Voice of America, the well-known writer, journalist, and political activist stated that the term, frequently used in the rulings of Iran’s Revolutionary Courts against South Azerbaijani national activists, is not applied to those seeking to establish a Turan state but rather to individuals striving to preserve their national identity.

Alirza Ardabili: Turks Are Being Removed from Iran’s Elite

Alirza Quluncu, Voice of America, June 7, 2013

Alirza Ardabili

According to Alireza Ardabili, the removal of Azerbaijani Turks and, in general, all Turks living in Iran from the country’s high political elite is not a new process. In an interview with Voice of America, the Azerbaijani journalist, writer, and political activist explained the reasons behind the gradual decrease in the number of Azerbaijani Turks within the ruling elite and the upper political class of the country.

Alirza Ardabili: Every Step Toward National Statehood Is a Positive Development

Alirza Quluncu, Voice of America, March 12, 2013

Alirza Ardabili

Alireza Ardabili, spokesperson for the South Azerbaijan National Democratic Union, believes that regardless of their political views on the future of Iranian Azerbaijan, all forces should fight for the emergence of national statehood traditions. This struggle may take the form of maintaining Iran as a federal state or the separation of Azerbaijan from Iran. The main goal is for Azerbaijani Turks to gain self-governance experience, the Southern Azerbaijani writer and journalist, currently residing in Sweden, stated in an interview with Voice of America.