Speaker Biographies

Joseph Akrami began his cinematic activities in the Iranian association of young cinema in 1981. Years later, he joined Iran’s National TV network as a director and cameraman, during which he made a number of short films. Some of his films were screened and won awards in film festivals inside Iran as well as abroad, such as in Locarno and France.  Because of his growing opposition to the Islamic regime, he was forced to flee Iran and live in exile in Europe, later settling in Canada. He continues his work in Canada and contributes to the Iranian community through productions that concern socio-cultural- related topics for newcomers and refugees. A Few Simple Shots is Akrami’s second film made in Canada and his first feature-length documentary.

Michael A. Ledeen, a resident scholar at AEI, is an expert on U.S. foreign policy. His research areas include state sponsors of terrorism, Iran, the Middle East, Europe (Italy), U.S.-China relations, intelligence, and Africa (Mozambique, South Africa, and Zimbabwe). A former consultant to the National Security Council and to the U.S. State and Defense Departments, he has also written on leadership and the use of power. He is the author of The War against the Terror Masters: Why It Happened, Where We Are Now, How We’ll Win (St. Martin's Press, 2002).

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