On November 2, 2023, Dr. Arash Azizi reflected on the “Woman, Life, Freedom” movement of 2022-2023, comparing it to the 1979 Islamic Revolution and the Constitutional Revolution of 1906-1911. He highlighted how the movement, with its progressive slogan, drew from Iran’s civic and nationalistic traditions while navigating a global rise in authoritarianism. Azizi emphasized that despite authoritarian tendencies within the regime and opposition, civil rights coalitions have helped preserve the movement’s civic values. He concluded that the movement represented a broader desire to redefine Iran’s national identity, contrasting it with the Islamic Republic’s values.
Arash Azizi is a historian specializing in 20th-century social and political movements, with a particular interest in global socialism. He is a Senior Lecturer with a joint appointment in history and political science at Clemson University. He is also a contributing writer at The Atlantic and the author of "The Shadow Commander: Soleimani, the US and Iran’s Global Ambitions" and "What Iranians Want: Women, Life, Freedom."
