Survey Reflected Prevailing Views Concerning Post Election Developments in Iran

January 28, 2010, Washington, D.C. – Earlier this afternoon, the Public Affairs Alliance of Iranian Americans (PAAIA) held a congressional briefing to present the findings of its 2009 National Public Opinion Survey of Iranian Americans. The national poll, conducted by Zogby International, explored the attitudes and views of Iranian Americans relating to recent developments in Iran.

Following the presentation of the findings by PAAIA’s Executive Director, Dr. Mahasti Afshar, a panel of Iran experts was on hand to discuss the potential implications of such results on U.S. policy vis-à-vis Iran and how they should inform members of Congress and other policymakers in formulating policy. The panelists were: Geneive Abdo from The Century Foundation; Patrick Clawson from the Washington Institute for Near East Policy; Kenneth Katzman from the Congressional Research Service; and Ali Reza Nader from the RAND Corporation.

“One of PAAIA’s core aspirations is to create a representative, nationally recognized voice for Iranian Americans,” explained Afshar. “This survey and Congressional briefing serves that goal by making our community’s voice heard, unfiltered and direct, in the halls of Congress.” 

Stay tuned, as PAAIA will provide more detailed reporting of this event in the near future.

Click here to view the 2009 survey