Opinion

Iran Could Reshape the Middle East and the Global Balance of Power

Iran Could Reshape the Middle East and the Global Balance of Power
Members of the Iranian community and supporters celebrate in Los Angeles on Feb. 28, 2026. Mario Tama/Getty Images
Fariba Parsa
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Commentary

A transition of Iran from an ideological theocracy to a secular democratic state would represent one of the most consequential geopolitical transformations of the 21st century. Few countries combine Iran’s demographic weight, geographic position, natural resources, and historical influence across the Middle East and Eurasia.

Fariba Parsa
Fariba Parsa
Author
Dr. Fariba Parsa is the founder and president of Women's E-Learning in Leadership (WELL), a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering women in Iran and Afghanistan through online leadership education and training. Dr. Parsa holds a doctorate in social science, specializing in Iranian politics with a focus on political Islam, democracy, and human rights. She is the author of “Fighting for Change in Iran: The Women, Life, Freedom Philosophy against Political Islam.”