Iran Focus: Iranian-American Communities from 37 States across America will gather at the Washington Convention Center on Saturday February 9th, in an event entitled, “Prospect for an Iranian Spring.”
More than 1,500 delegates are expected to attend the convention, which features a uniquely qualified panel of speakers with a wide range of views on Iran and Iran policy. The panelists include Gen. James Jones, President’s Obama National Security Advisor until 2011; Vice-Chair, 9/11 Commission, Lee Hamilton; Mayor Rudy Giuliani; former Attorney General Michael Mukasey; White House Chief of Staff Andrew Card; Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison; Congressman Patrick Kennedy, and former Homeland Security Advisor Frances Townsend.
The event comes at a crucial juncture in regards to Iran policy. The regime is facing domestic unrest, factional feuding and increased international sanctions. As the Presidential elections approach, the regime has resorted to new levels of brutality and repression against the people of Iran. The Supreme leader has also flatly rejected any prospects for negotiation with the United States.
The convention also takes place two days before the anniversary of the 1979 Iranian revolution, with Iranian-Americans using the occasion to call for a democratic, secular and non-nuclear Iran.
The event will provide a platform for Iranian communities to outline their vision in regards to the prospects of an “Iranian Spring”, ahead of President Obama’s State of the Union Address. This grassroots policy vision has often been missing from foreign policy debates on the Iranian issue, and should provide a unique perspective on breaking the deadlock on Iran policy.
