Series of Seminars on the 12-Day War between Iran and Russia

The Political Science Student Association of Allameh Tabataba’i University hosted Dr. Pavel Pavlov from the National Higher University of Moscow as part of its seminar series on the 12-Day War between Iran and Russia. In his lecture, Dr. Pavlov explored various dimensions of the conflict, with particular emphasis on the role of the United States.

In his talk, titled “America: A Fall from Grace – The Political Economy Behind Strategic Competition among Liberal Nation-States,” Dr. Pavlov examined the position of the United States in the international system and its use of economic tools to confront strategic rivals.

He underlined that U.S. global dominance after World War II rested on three pillars: the Bretton Woods system and control over global finance, military power through NATO, and institutional influence in international organizations.

Dr. Pavlov further analyzed the reasons behind the West’s aggressive policies, highlighting the “internal decline” of both the United States and Europe as the main driving force.

Concluding his remarks, he addressed the case of Iran, stressing that sanctions have failed to cripple the country. Instead, they have strengthened Iran’s self-sufficiency and pushed it strategically toward closer cooperation with Russia and China—developments that have contributed to the emergence of a new balance of power in the Middle East.