Peyman Mestchian warns the West about underestimating the role of Chinese funding and technology because it is beginning to fill the gap left by the departure of Western influence and Iranian talent. This could lead to a significant shift in ...Read more

The election of Donald Trump as US president in November 2016 marked a turning point. His administration’s policies, including the travel ban and the withdrawal from the JCPOA, led to a reversal of the positive trend of Iranian expatriates re-engaging ...Read more

The US withdrawal from the JCPOA resulted in a resumption of the “relentless exodus of talent and intellect” from Iran. The re-imposition of sanctions and the travel ban discouraged Iranian expatriates from returning or investing in their homeland, effectively reversing ...Read more

According to the letter, the void left by the talent exodus from Iran is being partially filled by Chinese funding, know-how, and technology. This suggests that as Western influence and opportunities diminish due to sanctions and political tensions, China is ...Read more

Peyman Mestchian’s personal experience reflects broader trends among Iranian expatriates in that, like many others, he felt a renewed sense of hope and engagement with Iran following the JCPOA. His observations of the enthusiasm among expatriates to reverse the brain ...Read more