Vali Nasr: Difference between revisions
Created page with "{{Short description|Iranian-American academic and former diplomat (born 1960)}} {{Infobox person | name = Vali Nasr | image = Vali Nasr, 2015 (cropped).jpg | alt = A middle-aged man with glasses and short dark hair, wearing a suit and tie. | caption = Nasr in 2015 | birth_name = Seyed Vali Reza Nasr | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1960|12|20}} | birth_place = Tehran, Iran | death_date = | death_place = | nationality = Iranian, American | alma mater = Tufts Universi..." |
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| | | alma_mater = [[Tufts University]] (BA, MA, PhD) | ||
| occupation = Academic, author, former diplomat | | occupation = Academic, author, former diplomat | ||
| known_for = Expert on [[Islam and politics|Islam and the politics]] of the Middle East and South Asia | | known_for = Expert on [[Islam and politics|Islam and the politics]] of the Middle East and South Asia | ||
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'''Vali Nasr''' (Persian: ولی نصر, born December 20, 1960) is an Iranian-American academic, author, and former diplomat. He is a leading scholar on the [[Middle East]], the [[Islamic world]], and [[Politics|political]] Islam.<ref | '''Vali Nasr''' (Persian: ولی نصر, born December 20, 1960) is an Iranian-American academic, author, and former diplomat. He is a leading scholar on the [[Middle East]], the [[Islamic world]], and [[Politics|political]] Islam (Council on Foreign Relations, 2024). <ref> Council on Foreign Relations. (2024). Vali Nasr. https://www.cfr.org/expert/vali-nasr</ref> Nasr served as the [[Dean (education)|Dean]] of the [[Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies|Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies]] (SAIS) from 2012 to 2019 and is currently a professor of international affairs and Middle East studies at the school (Javers, 2012). <ref> Javers, E. (2012, June 5). SAIS Names Vali Nasr Dean. The Wall Street Journal. https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052702303879604577410412353666918</ref> He has also served in the [[United States Department of State|U.S. Department of State]] as Senior Advisor to the [[United States Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan|Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan]]. | ||
== Early life and education == | == Early life and education == | ||
Vali Nasr was born in [[Tehran]], Iran. He left Iran to pursue his education in the United States, where he earned his [[Bachelor of Arts|Bachelor of Arts]], [[Master of Arts|Master of Arts]], and [[Doctor of Philosophy|Doctor of Philosophy]] degrees in [[Political science|Political Science]] from the [[Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy]] at [[Tufts University]].<ref | Vali Nasr was born in [[Tehran]], Iran. He left Iran to pursue his education in the United States, where he earned his [[Bachelor of Arts|Bachelor of Arts]], [[Master of Arts|Master of Arts]], and [[Doctor of Philosophy|Doctor of Philosophy]] degrees in [[Political science|Political Science]] from the [[Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy]] at [[Tufts University]] (Johns Hopkins SAIS, 2024). <ref> Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies. (2024). Vali Nasr. https://sais.jhu.edu/users/vnasr</ref> | ||
== Academic career == | == Academic career == | ||
=== Early academic work === | === Early academic work === | ||
Nasr began his academic career teaching at the [[University of San Diego]] and later at the [[Naval Postgraduate School]]. His early research focused on [[Islamism|Islamist movements]], [[Islam and democracy|Islam and democracy]], and politics in South Asia and the Middle East. His first major book, ''The Vanguard of the Islamic Revolution: The Jama'at-i Islami of Pakistan'' (1994), established his reputation as a specialist on political Islam.<ref> | Nasr began his academic career teaching at the [[University of San Diego]] and later at the [[Naval Postgraduate School]]. His early research focused on [[Islamism|Islamist movements]], [[Islam and democracy|Islam and democracy]], and politics in South Asia and the Middle East. His first major book, ''The Vanguard of the Islamic Revolution: The Jama'at-i Islami of Pakistan'' (1994), established his reputation as a specialist on political Islam (Nasr, 1994). <ref> Nasr, V. (1994). The Vanguard of the Islamic Revolution: The Jama'at-i Islami of Pakistan. University of California Press.</ref> | ||
=== Tenure at SAIS and other institutions === | === Tenure at SAIS and other institutions === | ||
In 2007, Nasr joined the faculty of the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS). He was appointed Dean of SAIS in 2012, a position he held until 2019.<ref> | In 2007, Nasr joined the faculty of the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS). He was appointed Dean of SAIS in 2012, a position he held until 2019 (Anderson, 2012). <ref> Anderson, N. (2012, June 4). Johns Hopkins names Vali Nasr dean of international studies school. The Washington Post. https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/johns-hopkins-names-vali-nasr-dean-of-international-studies-school/2012/06/04/gJQA2P6UDV_story.html</ref> Prior to SAIS, he was a professor at the [[University of San Diego]] and a fellow at the [[Brookings Institution]] and the [[Council on Foreign Relations]]. | ||
His scholarly work includes influential books such as ''The Shia Revival: How Conflicts within Islam Will Shape the Future'' (2006) and ''Forces of Fortune: The Rise of the New Muslim Middle Class and What It Will Mean for Our World'' (2009).<ref> | His scholarly work includes influential books such as ''The Shia Revival: How Conflicts within Islam Will Shape the Future'' (2006) and ''Forces of Fortune: The Rise of the New Muslim Middle Class and What It Will Mean for Our World'' (2009) (Wright, 2006). <ref> Wright, R. (2006, August 13). 'The Shia Revival'. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2006/08/13/books/review/13wright.html</ref> | ||
== Government service == | == Government service == | ||
=== Advisor to the U.S. Department of State === | === Advisor to the U.S. Department of State === | ||
From 2009 to 2011, during the [[Presidency of Barack Obama|Obama administration]], Nasr served as Senior Advisor to the [[United States Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan|U.S. Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan]], the late [[Richard Holbrooke]].<ref> | From 2009 to 2011, during the [[Presidency of Barack Obama|Obama administration]], Nasr served as Senior Advisor to the [[United States Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan|U.S. Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan]], the late [[Richard Holbrooke]] (Nasr, 2013). <ref> Nasr, V. (2013). The Dispensable Nation: American Foreign Policy in Retreat. Doubleday.</ref> In this role, he was involved in shaping U.S. policy in the region and provided analysis on political dynamics. | ||
== Publications and media == | == Publications and media == | ||
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Nasr is a prolific author and commentator. His publications are widely cited in academic and policy circles: | Nasr is a prolific author and commentator. His publications are widely cited in academic and policy circles: | ||
'''''The Shia Revival: How Conflicts within Islam Will Shape the Future''''' (2006) – Analyzes the historical and political resurgence of [[Shia Islam]] and its impact on Middle Eastern geopolitics.<ref> | '''''The Shia Revival: How Conflicts within Islam Will Shape the Future''''' (2006) – Analyzes the historical and political resurgence of [[Shia Islam]] and its impact on Middle Eastern geopolitics (Takeyh, 2006). <ref> Takeyh, R. (2006). The Shia Revival: How Conflicts Within Islam Will Shape the Future. Foreign Affairs, 85(6), 149.</ref> | ||
'''''Forces of Fortune: The Rise of the New Muslim Middle Class and What It Will Mean for Our World''''' (2009) – Argues that economic modernization and a growing middle class are transformative forces in the Muslim world.<ref> | '''''Forces of Fortune: The Rise of the New Muslim Middle Class and What It Will Mean for Our World''''' (2009) – Argues that economic modernization and a growing middle class are transformative forces in the Muslim world (Ignatius, 2009). <ref> Ignatius, D. (2009, October 25). Vali Nasr's 'Forces of Fortune'. The Washington Post. https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/10/23/AR2009102303008.html</ref> | ||
'''''The Dispensable Nation: American Foreign Policy in Retreat''''' (2013) – A critique of U.S. foreign policy under the Obama administration, based in part on his diplomatic experience.<ref> | '''''The Dispensable Nation: American Foreign Policy in Retreat''''' (2013) – A critique of U.S. foreign policy under the Obama administration, based in part on his diplomatic experience (Walt, 2013). <ref> Walt, S. M. (2013). The Dispensable Nation: American Foreign Policy in Retreat. Foreign Policy, (201), 75–78.</ref> | ||
=== Media commentary === | === Media commentary === | ||
Nasr is a frequent contributor to major media outlets, including '''[[CNN]]''', '''[[BBC]]''', '''[[The New York Times]]''', and '''[[Foreign Affairs]]''', where he provides analysis on Middle Eastern politics and U.S. foreign policy.<ref> | Nasr is a frequent contributor to major media outlets, including '''[[CNN]]''', '''[[BBC]]''', '''[[The New York Times]]''', and '''[[Foreign Affairs]]''', where he provides analysis on Middle Eastern politics and U.S. foreign policy (Nasr, 2017). <ref> Nasr, V. (2017, November 20). Iran's Allies Are on the Rise. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/20/opinion/iran-middle-east-allies.html</ref> | ||
== Awards and recognition == | == Awards and recognition == | ||
Nasr has been recognized for his scholarship and public service. He was named one of the "Top 100 Global Thinkers" by ''[[Foreign Policy]]'' magazine in 2010.<ref> | Nasr has been recognized for his scholarship and public service. He was named one of the "Top 100 Global Thinkers" by ''[[Foreign Policy]]'' magazine in 2010 (Foreign Policy, 2010). <ref> Foreign Policy. (2010, November 29). The FP Top 100 Global Thinkers. https://foreignpolicy.com/2010/11/29/the-fp-top-100-global-thinkers-7/</ref> His books have received numerous awards and have been translated into multiple languages. | ||
== Personal life == | == Personal life == | ||
Revision as of 09:37, 17 December 2025
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Vali Nasr (Persian: ولی نصر, born December 20, 1960) is an Iranian-American academic, author, and former diplomat. He is a leading scholar on the Middle East, the Islamic world, and political Islam (Council on Foreign Relations, 2024). [1] Nasr served as the Dean of the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) from 2012 to 2019 and is currently a professor of international affairs and Middle East studies at the school (Javers, 2012). [2] He has also served in the U.S. Department of State as Senior Advisor to the Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Early life and education
Vali Nasr was born in Tehran, Iran. He left Iran to pursue his education in the United States, where he earned his Bachelor of Arts, Master of Arts, and Doctor of Philosophy degrees in Political Science from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University (Johns Hopkins SAIS, 2024). [3]
Academic career
Early academic work
Nasr began his academic career teaching at the University of San Diego and later at the Naval Postgraduate School. His early research focused on Islamist movements, Islam and democracy, and politics in South Asia and the Middle East. His first major book, The Vanguard of the Islamic Revolution: The Jama'at-i Islami of Pakistan (1994), established his reputation as a specialist on political Islam (Nasr, 1994). [4]
Tenure at SAIS and other institutions
In 2007, Nasr joined the faculty of the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS). He was appointed Dean of SAIS in 2012, a position he held until 2019 (Anderson, 2012). [5] Prior to SAIS, he was a professor at the University of San Diego and a fellow at the Brookings Institution and the Council on Foreign Relations.
His scholarly work includes influential books such as The Shia Revival: How Conflicts within Islam Will Shape the Future (2006) and Forces of Fortune: The Rise of the New Muslim Middle Class and What It Will Mean for Our World (2009) (Wright, 2006). [6]
Government service
Advisor to the U.S. Department of State
From 2009 to 2011, during the Obama administration, Nasr served as Senior Advisor to the U.S. Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan, the late Richard Holbrooke (Nasr, 2013). [7] In this role, he was involved in shaping U.S. policy in the region and provided analysis on political dynamics.
Publications and media
Notable works
Nasr is a prolific author and commentator. His publications are widely cited in academic and policy circles:
The Shia Revival: How Conflicts within Islam Will Shape the Future (2006) – Analyzes the historical and political resurgence of Shia Islam and its impact on Middle Eastern geopolitics (Takeyh, 2006). [8]
Forces of Fortune: The Rise of the New Muslim Middle Class and What It Will Mean for Our World (2009) – Argues that economic modernization and a growing middle class are transformative forces in the Muslim world (Ignatius, 2009). [9]
The Dispensable Nation: American Foreign Policy in Retreat (2013) – A critique of U.S. foreign policy under the Obama administration, based in part on his diplomatic experience (Walt, 2013). [10]
Media commentary
Nasr is a frequent contributor to major media outlets, including CNN, BBC, The New York Times, and Foreign Affairs, where he provides analysis on Middle Eastern politics and U.S. foreign policy (Nasr, 2017). [11]
Awards and recognition
Nasr has been recognized for his scholarship and public service. He was named one of the "Top 100 Global Thinkers" by Foreign Policy magazine in 2010 (Foreign Policy, 2010). [12] His books have received numerous awards and have been translated into multiple languages.
Personal life
Vali Nasr is a naturalized citizen of the United States. He maintains a public profile primarily through his academic and writing endeavors.
Selected bibliography
The Vanguard of the Islamic Revolution: The Jama'at-i Islami of Pakistan (1994) Template:ISBN
The Shia Revival: How Conflicts within Islam Will Shape the Future (2006) Template:ISBN
Forces of Fortune: The Rise of the New Muslim Middle Class and What It Will Mean for Our World (2009) Template:ISBN
The Dispensable Nation: American Foreign Policy in Retreat (2013) Template:ISBN
See also
Geopolitics of the Middle East
List of Iranian-American academics
References
- ↑ Council on Foreign Relations. (2024). Vali Nasr. https://www.cfr.org/expert/vali-nasr
- ↑ Javers, E. (2012, June 5). SAIS Names Vali Nasr Dean. The Wall Street Journal. https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052702303879604577410412353666918
- ↑ Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies. (2024). Vali Nasr. https://sais.jhu.edu/users/vnasr
- ↑ Nasr, V. (1994). The Vanguard of the Islamic Revolution: The Jama'at-i Islami of Pakistan. University of California Press.
- ↑ Anderson, N. (2012, June 4). Johns Hopkins names Vali Nasr dean of international studies school. The Washington Post. https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/johns-hopkins-names-vali-nasr-dean-of-international-studies-school/2012/06/04/gJQA2P6UDV_story.html
- ↑ Wright, R. (2006, August 13). 'The Shia Revival'. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2006/08/13/books/review/13wright.html
- ↑ Nasr, V. (2013). The Dispensable Nation: American Foreign Policy in Retreat. Doubleday.
- ↑ Takeyh, R. (2006). The Shia Revival: How Conflicts Within Islam Will Shape the Future. Foreign Affairs, 85(6), 149.
- ↑ Ignatius, D. (2009, October 25). Vali Nasr's 'Forces of Fortune'. The Washington Post. https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/10/23/AR2009102303008.html
- ↑ Walt, S. M. (2013). The Dispensable Nation: American Foreign Policy in Retreat. Foreign Policy, (201), 75–78.
- ↑ Nasr, V. (2017, November 20). Iran's Allies Are on the Rise. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/20/opinion/iran-middle-east-allies.html
- ↑ Foreign Policy. (2010, November 29). The FP Top 100 Global Thinkers. https://foreignpolicy.com/2010/11/29/the-fp-top-100-global-thinkers-7/
External links
Official profile at Johns Hopkins SAIS