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Home > Research and expertise > Experts > Profile

Torfeh, Massoumeh

Dr Massoumeh Torfeh  

Department

Position held

Department of International Development

Research Associate

 

Non LSE positions held

SOAS

Research Associate

 

Experience keywords:

Iran; Afghanistan; Central Asia; Islamic extremism; civil society; democratisation processes; international media; press freedom; strategic communication

Research summary > [Click to expand]

The politics and media of Iran, Afghanistan and Central Asia form the core of my interest. Political challenges in these areas such as the revolution in Iran, the National Unity Government and warlordism in Afghanistan, the impact of extremism, Taliban, IS and the US and EU policy on the region; Iran's regional role; human rights, civil society, women, the role of media in creating good governance in these countries are all part of what I always read and write about. The role of the UN and diplomacy in conflict resolution through dialogue is a subject I follow with great interest. When posted with the UN in conflict zones I implement my ideas for creating peace and dialogue through specially designed communication strategies for increasing awareness and changing attitudes. My PhD in Political Science from LSE is on The Causes of the Failure of Democracy in Iran. I have written two books on "The BBC and British Interests in Iran," and "Cultural Revolution in Iran". Regular commentator on the Guardian, Aljazeera op-eds, and regular pundit in BBC TV and radio, Aljazeera English, also Sky, RT,Ch4.

Massoumeh Torfeh is now cooperating with the LSE Middle East Centre, working on the contemporary politics of Iran, especially Iran’s regional involvement in Iraq and Syria.

On May 7, 2016 Dr. Torfeh will be presenting a paper at the "Communication and Conflict: Iraq and Syria Conference" at SOAS speaking on “Trajectory of Iran’s Regional Ambitions: as seen through Iran’s Arabic language media network”.

Sectors and industries to which research relates:

Consultancy

Countries and regions to which research relates:

Afghanistan; Central Asia; Iran

Languages:

Dari [Spoken: Fluent, Written: Fluent]; Persian [Spoken: Fluent, Written: Fluent]

Media experience:

Has written for mainstream press; Radio; TV

Contact Points

LSE email:

m.torfeh@lse.ac.uk

Publications

2015

Torfeh, Massoumeh (2015) The new old cabinet in Afghanistan Al Jazeera (13 Jan 2015) opinion

Torfeh, Massoumeh (2015) Iran's best chance for a 'good deal' Al Jazeera (13 Feb 2015) opinion

Torfeh, Massoumeh (2015) Iran talks: moving beyond 'worn out' policies Al Jazeera (18 Jan 2015) opinion

Torfeh, Massoumeh (2015) Iran rhetoric: all talk, action not likely Al Jazeera (10 Apr 2015) opinion

Torfeh, Massoumeh (2015) Iran's hardliners win if Netanyahu gets his way Al Jazeera (5 Mar 2015) opinion

Torfeh, Massoumeh (2015) Rouhani did not keep his promises on human rights Al Jazeera (14 Mar 2015) opinion

2014

Torfeh, Massoumeh (2014) Does Afghanistan need a unity government? Al Jazeera (24 Aug 2014) opinion

Torfeh, Massoumeh (2014) The message in Obama's 'secret' letter to the Ayatollah Al Jazeera (10 Nov 2014) opinion

Torfeh, Massoumeh (2014) War on Islamic State: no chance without Iran Al Jazeera (13 Sep 2014) opinion

Torfeh, Massoumeh (2014) Acid attacks in Iran: a message for Rouhani? Al Jazeera (25 Oct 2014) opinion

2013

Sreberny, Annabelle and Torfeh, Massoumeh, eds (2013) Cultural revolution in Iran: contemporary popular culture in the Islamic Republic International Library of Iranian Studies. I.B.Tauris, London, UK. ISBN 9781780760896

Sreberny, Annabelle and Torfeh, Massoumeh (2013) Persian service: the BBC and British interests in Iran International Library of Iranian Studies. I.B.Tauris, London, UK. ISBN 9781848859814

2012

Sreberny, Annabelle and Torfeh, Massoumeh (2012) The BBC World Service from wartime propaganda to public diplomacy In: Gillespie, Marie and Webb, Alban, (eds.) Diasporas and Diplomacy Cosmopolitan contact zones at the BBC World Service (1932–2012). CRESC. Routledge, London, UK. ISBN 9780415508803

2010

Torfeh, Massoumeh (2010) Iran's judiciary takes a military colour The Guardian (8 Jan 2010) opinion

Torfeh, Massoumeh (2010) The cracks in the Iranian regime The Guardian (24 Apr 2010) opinion

Torfeh, Massoumeh and Sreberny, Annabelle (2010) Broadcasting to Afghanistan: a history of the BBC Pashto Service Middle East Journal of Culture and Communication, 3 (2). 192-215. ISSN 1873-9857

Torfeh, Massoumeh and Sreberny, Annabelle (2010) The BBC Persian Service and the Islamic Revolution of 1979 Middle East Journal of Culture and Communication, 3 (2). 216-241. ISSN 1873-9857

2009

Torfeh, Massoumeh (2009) Media development in Afghanistan Media Development, LVI (1).

2008

Torfeh, Massoumeh (2008) BBC Persian Service 1941-79 Geopolitics of Middle East, 1 (1).

Sreberny, Annabelle and Torfeh, Massoumeh (2008) The BBC Persian service 1941–1979 Historical Journal of Film, Radio and Television, 28 (4). 515-535. ISSN 0143-9685

Torfeh, Massoumeh (2008) Don't talk to the Taliban The Guardian (8 Oct 2008) opinion

2007

Torfeh, Massoumeh (2007) Afghanistan's tipping point? BBC News (16 Apr 2007) opinion

Torfeh, Massoumeh (2007) Clouds over Kabul The Guardian (7 May 2007) opinion

2002

Torfeh, Massoumeh (2002) The causes of the failure of democracy in Iran 1941-53 In: Gammer, Moshe, (ed.) Political Thought and Political History: Studies in Memory of Elie Kedourie. Routledge, London, UK. ISBN 9780714652962

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