Welcome to a conversation with historian and Middle East expert Rouzbeh Parsi on his new book Mellan Gud och stat. Iran efter ett långt 1900-tal (title in English: Between God and State. Iran after a long 20th century.) Discussant: Lisa Strömbom. Moderator: Lena Halldenius

In his new book on the history of Iran, historian Rouzbeh Parsi notes that the question of what kind of society Iran should be has characterised the country's 20th-century history and is common to all societies around the world that underwent radical modernisation during the last century. While USA and Israel are attacking Iran in a highly volatile Middle East, this remains an open question. The 1978-79 revolution set Iran on its current course, but it would be naive to conclude that the old society was thereby destroyed and replaced by entirely new dogmas, ideas and norms.

Rouzbeh Parsi will introduce, followed by a discussion with Lisa Strömbom, Peace and Conflict scholar and Assistant Director of the Centre for Advanced Middle Eastern Studies (CMES). Moderator is Lena Halldenius, Coordinator of Lund University's Human Rights Profile Area.

The event is in English. The book is in Swedish, but an edited version of the epilogue in English is available on the Human Rights Blogg. 

Mellan Gud och stat. Iran efter ett långt 1900-tal is published by Fri Tanke, 2025.