WASHINGTON, DC (June 16, 2021) The McCain Institute for International Leadership at Arizona State University (ASU) is proud to announce that the next installment of our Authors & Insights Book Talk Series will feature Iranian-American journalist, author, humanitarian and former alumna of the McCain Institute Next Generation Leader program (2017 cohort) Tara Kangarlou.
On Wednesday, June 23, Kangarlou will join Gray Television’s White House Correspondent and McCain Institute Media Fellow Jon Decker to discuss Kangarlou’s book, “The Heartbeat of Iran: Real Voices of a Country and Its People.” The work takes readers on a journey into the diverse and complex journey of everyday life in Iran, touching on the socio-economic, political and religious mosaic of the country.
“We’re excited to welcome Tara for a discussion about the parts of Iranian life that Americans don’t typically hear about,” said McCain Institute Executive Chairman Ambassador Josette Sheeran. “The chance to look past the headlines and into the living reality of millions of people is something we’re thrilled to share the McCain Institute audience.”
“While lots is rightfully said about the large geopolitical gap between the United States and Iran, Tara’s book does an excellent job in not letting that cloud the complexities and daily struggles of everyday Iranians,” said Jon Decker, White House Correspondent for Gray Television and McCain Institute Media Fellow. “After reading the book, I can’t wait to discuss with Tara how it all came together.”
Kangarlou is an award-winning journalist who has reported, written and produced breaking news, investigative pieces and broadcast stories for numerous outlets both here in the United States and around the world. She previously served as a fellow at the East West Institute, is a contributor to Al Jazeera, and a frequent commentator on various news outlets covering the MENA region and humanitarian issues worldwide. In recent years, she has reported extensively from the Syrian border regions of Lebanon, Turkey and Jordan covering issues that impact Syrian refugees, host countries, and the Middle East at large. In 2016, she founded Art of Hope, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting the psychosocial and mental health needs of refugees in Lebanon.
Decker is the White House correspondent and senior national editor for Gray Television and has been a member of the White House Press Corps since 1995. In 2015, he was elected by his colleagues to the Board of the White House Correspondents’ Association. Decker serves on the faculty of Georgetown University and the UCLA School of Law where he is an adjunct professor.
The McCain Institute invites all to join the Authors & Insights Book Talk Series: Tara Kangarlou & Jon Decker on Wednesday, June 23, at 12 p.m. ET. More information, including the link to register, can be found on the McCain Institute Events page. Viewers will have a chance to ask Kangarlou questions about her book, career and current events in Iran and around the world. Two lucky attendees will receive signed copies of “The Heartbeat of Iran: Real Voices of a Country and Its People.”
About the McCain Institute for International Leadership at Arizona State University
Inspired by the character-driven leadership of Sen. John S. McCain and his family’s legacy of public service, the McCain Institute implements programs and initiatives to make a difference in people’s lives across a range of critical areas: leadership development, human rights, rule of law, national security, preventing targeted violence and combating human trafficking.
About Arizona State University
Arizona State University has developed a new model for the American research university, creating an institution that is committed to access, excellence and impact. ASU measures itself by those it includes, not by those it excludes. As the prototype for a New American University, ASU pursues research that contributes to the public good, and ASU assumes major responsibility for the economic, social and cultural vitality of the communities that surround it.