Essay

Introduction Human rights are the foundation of individual freedom and dignity, encompassing the liberty to make personal choices, the freedom to move, and the right to determine one’s own place of residence. Among these rights, the ability to seek and obtain asylum stands out as a critical safeguard for those fleeing persecution and oppression.

Since the establishment of the Islamic Republic of Iran, first under the leadership of Ayatollah Khomeini and later Ayatollah Khamenei, the regime has been responsible for widespread human rights abuses both within its borders and beyond. Over the past several decades, the Iranian authorities have systematically suppressed dissent, executing and imprisoning tens of thousands of…

For years, Tucker Carlson enjoyed unprecedented freedom to challenge prevailing social and political narratives in America, seemingly immune to political repercussions. His sharp commentary drew viewers from across the political spectrum, including many on the left who tuned in to hear him dissect issues from unexpected angles. As a dedicated conservative journalist, Carlson built his…

At the outset, I must state that I fundamentally disagree with John Mearsheimer’s realist interpretation of the Middle East, particularly regarding Iran. Mearsheimer, a distinguished international relations theorist and professor at the University of Chicago, is renowned for his contributions to realist theory, notably through works such as The Tragedy of Great Power Politics and his co-authored…

Turkey has voiced deep and multifaceted concerns regarding Iran’s nuclear ambitions, driven by a complex interplay of regional security, stability, and shifting geopolitical realities. As a nation sharing a 500-kilometer border with Iran, Turkey perceives the prospect of a nuclear-armed Iran as a direct and immediate threat, one that could upend the delicate balance of…

    Mamdani: Agents of Polarization or Forces for Unity? Despite the enthusiastic commentary and widespread reporting, Americans often exhibit a practical sense of cautious concern and predictable worries—some of which, over time, have proven to be valid. These concerns, while not always immediately threatening, can sometimes agitate the very fabric of democracy. A notable…

Akbar Ganji’s essay, first published in Foreign Affairs in August 2013 and later republished, provides a detailed yet arguably biased intellectual and biographical profile of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Ganji, an Iranian dissident and former political prisoner, delves into Khamenei’s worldview, which continues to shape Iranian policy even under more moderate presidents like…

In my earlier works, I did not hesitate to critique various members of the Iranian elite—those whom I regarded as “phony” and self-serving intellectuals across cinematic, literary, and poetic circles. My dissatisfaction stemmed from what I perceived as their failure to meaningfully contribute to the betterment of society. Their voices, though loud in cultural and…

Democracy, at its core, is not about enabling or legitimizing false or harmful narratives. Rather, it is founded on principles of accountability, responsibility, and the rule of law, where actions are met with appropriate rewards or consequences. In contrast, many religious systems—most notably Islam—often place ultimate accountability solely in the hands of God, rather than…

      Benedict Anderson’s concept of “imagined communities” posits that nations are socially constructed entities, where members envision a shared communion despite never meeting most fellow citizens. He identifies key enablers of modern nationalism, including the rise of print capitalism, which standardized vernacular languages and facilitated mass communication; the decline of sacred scripts and…