International Politics and Economy

Iranian State Arrests Popular Actress Taraneh Alidoosti, star of Academy-Award-Winning Film, for Protesting Executions

Ann Arbor (Informed Comment) – Iranian authorities arrested renowned actress Taraneh Alidoosti, 38, on Saturday for an Instagram post in which she denounced the execution last week of the first of this fall’s protesters to be put to death by the Iranian government. Her instagram account, which had 8 million followers, has been suspended. She […]

Authoritarianism

Iran: dissent by public figures has amplified the protest across the country – and the world

The Conversation

By Roja Fazaeli, Trinity College Dublin | – Iran’s Islamic Republic continues to violently suppress ongoing pro-democracy protests, which broke out in September in response to the killing of a young woman who had been arrested for not wearing a proper head covering. According to the NGO Iran Human Rights at least 458 protesters have […]

Authoritarianism

Why Istanbul’s mayor was sentenced to jail – and what it means for Turkey’s 2023 presidential race

The Conversation

By Ahmet T. Kuru, San Diego State University | – A Turkish court’s decision on Dec. 14, 2022, to jail Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu for two years and seven months for insulting public officials hung on comments he made three years ago. But its impact will be felt on an event taking place in a […]

Authoritarianism

Iran’s Executions Of Protesters Triggers Public Outrage, Draws Criticism From Clerics

Radio Free Europe Radio Liberty

By Hannah Kaviani I’m Hannah Kaviani, a senior broadcaster and editor at RFE/RL’s Radio Farda. Here’s what I’ve been following and what I’m watching out for in the days ahead. ( RFE/ RL ) – Iran has publicly executed two young men over their involvement in the ongoing antiestablishment protests that have rocked the country […]

Authoritarianism

Iranian Protesters turn to TikTok to get their Message past Government Censors

The Conversation

By Whitney Shylee May, The University of Texas at Austin College of Liberal Arts | – Images of the protests that followed the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Zhina Amini on Sept. 16, 2022, in Iran and reports of the government’s brutal crackdown have circulated widely on social media. This flow of information comes despite efforts […]

Authoritarianism

Iran: Two Protesters Executed in Grossly Unfair Trials, Several More in Danger (HRW)

Human Rights Watch

Human Rights Watch – (Beirut) – Iranian authorities’ execution of two men in connection with widespread antigovernment protests is a gross miscarriage of justice and a dangerous escalation, Human Rights Watch said today. According to human rights groups, revolutionary courts of first instance have issued at least 11 other protest-related death sentences and are expected […]

Arab World

Climate Action in Middle East is Doomed to fail without Reform and Peace

Sustainability Times

By Sustainabiity Times | – ( Sustainability Times) – The United Nations COP27 conference has now drawn to a close, with talks culminating in a historic agreement to establish a climate “loss and damage” fund. Egyptian foreign minister and president of COP27, Sameh Shoukry, celebrated after all-night negotiations, declaring that “we rose to the occasion” […]

Authoritarianism

Family Says Son Died After Torture By Iranian Security Agents

Radio Free Europe Radio Liberty

By RFE/RL’s Radio Farda Shadman Ahmadi died in police custody in Kurdistan. The family of a 22-year-old Iranian protester says their son has died in a detention center after being tortured for hours following his arrest during a protest in the western Iranian city of Dehgolan. The France-based Kurdistan Human Rights Network quoted Shadman Ahmadi’s […]

Authoritarianism

Iran executes first Protester as Human Rights Abuses come under International Scrutiny

The Conversation

By Sahar Maranlou, University of Essex | – Iran’s execution of protester Mohsen Shekari is the first after a huge wave of unrest swept around the country in the autumn of 2022. Shekari was found guilty by a Iranian Revolutionary Court of “moharebeh” (enmity against God), news sources reported. Human rights groups say Shekari and […]