YEREVAN, Armenia — In January, the American University of Armenia (AUA) College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHSS) launched a new Faculty Research Series, organized by the Master of Arts in International Relations and Diplomacy (MAIRD), Master of Public Affairs (MPA), and Bachelor of Arts in Politics and Governance (BAPG) programs. The series, set to take place bimonthly, aims to foster academic exchange and research dialogue within the University community.
The inaugural event, held on January 29, featured a presentation by adjunct lecturer Dr. Alen Shadunts on “Iran in Crisis.” The session opened with welcoming remarks by Dr. Jean-François Caron, C. Judson King Endowed Professor (2025–2026) and interim chair of the MAIRD and MPA programs, who also introduced the speaker.
In his presentation, Dr. Shadunts examined Iran’s foreign policy, as well as recent events in and around the country, building on two of his recent publications (a peer-reviewed article and a book chapter). He argued that withstanding sustained international pressure has been at the center of the Iranian strategic outlook, especially in the Middle East, where the Islamic Republic has tried to position itself as a leading actor. This approach has been significantly shaped by antagonistic relations with the United States and Israel, prompting the Iranian government to invest substantial resources in countering American and Israeli initiatives in the region.
Dr. Shadunts noted that following unsuccessful attempts at reconciliation over the Iranian nuclear program, Tehran and Washington have intensified confrontation through defiance and pressure, respectively. For Iran, it has been imperative that this confrontation not escalate into a direct military conflict, which explains the deterrence mechanisms the government had established to that end.
However, post-2023 developments, particularly the June 2025 war, have rendered these mechanisms largely ineffective. As a result, the Islamic Republic now faces a dilemma: easing tensions by yielding to external pressure or remaining committed to resistance against its adversaries. The latter option, Dr. Shadunts argued, requires further sacrifices from Iranian citizens. Recent waves of protest, however, suggest that many Iranians are increasingly unwilling to subordinate their welfare to resistance-driven policies.
“The Iranian government considers ideological commitment a key attribute of its national security, often citing how devotion to the revolutionary cause helped push back against Saddam’s army during the Iran-Iraq war. However, this resolve could wear out, as the regime keeps asking its citizens to suffer for a cause that is losing resonance,” said Dr. Shadunts.
The presentation was followed by a lively question-and-answer session, during which AUA students and faculty engaged actively with the speaker, seeking further clarification and expanding on the themes raised during the talk.
Founded in 1991, the American University of Armenia (AUA) is a private, independent university located in Yerevan, Armenia, affiliated with the University of California, and accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission in the United States. AUA provides local and international students with Western-style education through top-quality undergraduate, graduate, and certificate programs, promotes research and innovation, encourages civic engagement and community service, and fosters democratic values.
