Recent Posts

Iran: To veil or not to veil

During a two-week visit to Iran in November, I witnessed women of all ages walking freely on the streets without the hijab. But, what we’re not told, is that they have been doing so for years. The explosion of protests in Iran that began in September were not about the …

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Iranian Influence Fuels Injustice In Iraq – OpEd

An Iraqi court judgment imprisoning a young man for criticizing a governmental entity sparked anger and rejection in the southern province of Nasiriyah last week, prompting hundreds of young people to demonstrate and confront the security forces, who killed at least two demonstrators. The story began when 20-year-old Haider Al-Zaidi …

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Putin’s War and the Dangers of Russian Disintegration

The Unraveling of a Fragile Multiethnic State Could Lead to More Violence As Russian President Vladimir Putin doubles down on his war in Ukraine, the stability of his regime hangs in the balance. Some observers have predicted that the Russian president could be overthrown; others even hope for a breakup …

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Turkey Briefing

“I wish we hadn’t had intercourse at the age of 6. Then we could be really happy. … My mom used to brush my hair and send me to you,” the woman tells her supposed “husband.” The man casually admits “it was something wrong.” This secretly recorded conversation by the …

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