Deepika Saraswat

Pezeshkian’s Victory and Return to a ‘Balanced’ Foreign Policy

Masoud Pezeshkian’s victory in Iran’s snap presidential election has unexpectedly brought reformists back to the political arena.

Deepika Saraswat |
July 12, 2024 |
Issue Brief

In Iran, a battle between polarising political views

Associate Fellow, Manohar Parrikar IDSA, Dr Deepika Saraswat's article 'In Iran, a battle between polarising political views' was published in Hindustan Times, on 01 July 2024.

The Pezeshkian-Jalili run-off on July 5 will be a showdown between the two most polarising political visions for the country, says Dr Saraswat.

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Disclaimer: The views expressed by the author are personal and do not in any way reflect the views of MP-IDSA or the Government of India.

Hamas–Israel War and the Evolution of Iran’s ‘Resistance Geopolitics’

Deepika Saraswat |
January-February 2024 |
Strategic Analysis

President Raisi’s demise leaves Iran at a crossroads

Associate Fellow, Manohar Parrikar IDSA, Dr Deepika Saraswat's article 'President Raisi's demise leaves Iran at a cross roads' has been published in Hindustan Times on 21 May, 2024.

Raisi’s rise to the presidency had been systematically brought about by Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as part of a generational change in Iran’s political leadership, says Dr Saraswat.

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The views expressed by the author are personal and do not in anyway reflect the views of MP-IDSA or the Government of India.

Deterrence, Escalation Management and the Iran–Israel Conflict

Iran and Israel have shown preference for a carefully controlled escalation while avoiding a conflict spiral.

Deepika Saraswat |
May 10, 2024 |
IDSA Comments

Iran-Israel conflict no longer a shadow war

Associate Fellow, Manohar Parrikar IDSA, Dr Deepika Saraswat’s article ‘Iran-Israel conflict no longer a shadow war' has been published in Hindustan Times on 22 April 2024.

Iran’s direct retaliation against Israel marks the end of the shadow war and the beginning of an uncertain future for the region, says Dr Saraswat.

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Iran: Part of an ‘Axis’ or a Middle Power in (Eur)Asia

Associate Fellow, Manohar Parrikar IDSA, Dr Deepika Saraswat’s article 'Iran: Part of an ‘Axis’ or a Middle Power in (Eur)Asia' was published by NatStrat Centre for Research on Strategic and Security Issues on 01 April 2024.

During the ongoing transitional phase in international and regional politics, while Iran continues to counter US influence in West Asia, in (Eur)Asia, it is behaving like a middle power utilising multilateral diplomacy, its geographical centrality and sources of ideational power to shape not only a post-Western but also a post-hegemonic geopolitical order, says Dr Saraswat.

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Iran Parliament and Assembly of Expert Elections: Hardliners on the Rise

Iran’s parliamentary elections were primarily a competition among the conservative factions.

Deepika Saraswat |
March 15, 2024 |
Issue Brief

Deciphering the shadow war between Iran, Israel

Deepika Saraswat

January 24, 2024

Associate Fellow, Manohar Parrikar IDSA, Dr Deepika Saraswat’s article ‘Deciphering the shadow war between Iran, Israel’ has been published in Hindustan Times on 24 January 2024.

What is clear is that what started as a Hamas-Israel conflict three months ago has morphed into a shadow war between Israel and Iran, says Dr Saraswat.

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EAM Jaishankar in Tehran: Renewed Focus on Maritime Security and Regional Connectivity

Jaishankar’s visit is a timely reminder that India’s partnership stands on its own, and Indian interests demand more rather than less engagement with Tehran.