Essay

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…

The fact that every collective protest action ends in bloodshed is a clear and undeniable sign of a structural crisis and a chronic lack of competence in crisis management. Reports have emerged of violent intervention by Israeli agents and groups with a history of crime and terror in the recent protests. However, this in no…

Language is a fundamental element in the cultivation and empowerment of nationalism. It acts as a crucial mechanism through which collective identities are constructed, mobilized, and sustained. This essay explores the various dimensions in which language influences nationalism, supported by historical, sociological, and political evidence.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and its senior commanders, often referred to as “Sardars,” have long been subjects of both domestic and international scrutiny. Their reputation is marred by accusations of lacking national integrity, limited military aptitude, and a narrow, insular worldview. From the costly tactical miscalculations during the Iran-Iraq War—which resulted in staggering…

Regime Atrocities: The Iranian regime’s criminal acts and human rights violations extend beyond its borders, threatening regional and global stability. Ideological Extremism: The Ayatollah’s belief in divine authority to eliminate non-believers and establish global Sharia law mirrors extremist doctrines. Parallels to Nazi Doctrine: Evidence suggests similarities between the regime’s philosophy and the Nazi “final solution,” particularly regarding threats…