Emily L. Blout, American University School of Communication
President is not the most important leadership role in Iran. The election is not completely democratic. That said, there’s a pretty competitive contest happening.
Rouhani’s conservative rivals are exploiting growing pessimism about the economy, increasing the odds that someone more hostile to the West might become Iran’s next president.
Muslims everywhere were offended and psychologically shocked by the president-elect’s views. But Syria and Egypt think they can benefit from a Trump presidency.
Once seen as a diplomatic victory, the nuclear deal of 2015 is now perceived as a failure by conservatives who reject President Rouhani’s message of moderation as economic recovery remains elusive.
Estimates of how much of Iran’s frozen assets it will get once sanctions are lifted vary widely, but the sum is most likely just a fraction of the total.
Australia made progress on restoring trade and sharing intelligence on Islamic State in Iraq. Iran was less open to accepting the return of asylum seekers, which may prove a blessing in disguise.
Convenor of the Middle East Studies Forum (MESF), and Deputy Director (International) at the Alfred Deakin Institute for Citizenship and Globalisation, Deakin University