Middle East

Russia’s Annexation of Part of Ukraine Drew Western Sanctions, but UK’s Liz Truss is rewarding Israel’s Annexation by moving British Embassy to Jerusalem

Belfast (Special to Informed Comment) – Russia’s invasion and annexation of four regions of Ukraine exposed western double standards elsewhere in the world once again. Western countries reacted to Russia by imposing sanctions and by providing military and financial aid to Ukraine which seems to give Ukraine the upper hand on the ground so far. […]

Authoritarianism

Laws on Veiling in Iran over the Decades: the continuing Battle for Reform

The Conversation

By Sahar Maranlou, University of Essex | – Protests have quickly spread across Iran calling for a change in the law after the death of a 22-year-old woman, Mahsa Amini, in the custody of the morality police. The young woman was accused of violating rules on wearing hijab in public. The term hijab is an […]

Authoritarianism

Iran: ‘Hijab’ protests challenge legitimacy of Islamic Republic

The Conversation

By Scott Lucas, University College Dublin | – (The Conversation) – Three weeks after the violent death of 22-year-old Iranian Kurdish woman Mahsa Amini at the hands of Iran’s morality police for the crime of wearing her hijab improperly, protests continue to rage across the country. These demonstrations defy both repression by security forces in […]

Feminism

Women in Turkey, Including Turkish Kurds, stand in solidarity with Women of Iran

Global Voices

By Arzu Geybullayeva | – From video campaigns circulating on social media to street protests and singers cutting their hair on stage — women from all walks of life in Turkey have expressed solidarity with the ongoing protests in Iran. In a country where women’s rights keep deteriorating, the murder of Mahsa Amini hits close […]

Authoritarianism

Young Unveiled Iranian Women Protesters Keep Mysteriously falling off Buildings, According to Country’s Police

Juan Cole

Ann Arbor (Informed Comment) – Like Russian officials and failed diplomats, who seem to fall off buildings at a dizzying rate, Iranian young women under the harsh, patriarchal rule of the ayatollahs have developed the same health condition. Or so it is alleged by the official Iranian press. Independent organizations such as Amnesty International beg […]

Authoritarianism

Hope for a New Day in Iran?

Nassrine Azimi

Hiroshima (Special to Informed Comment) — In 1975, when I was 16, my father’s work took our family to Turkey. It was hard parting. I was then in my junior year at Tehran’s famed Jewish high-school where, despite being a Muslim, I had thrived and made lasting friendships. Turkey in those days was struggling through […]

Featured

As Saudis stab Biden in the Back with OPEC+ Oil Cut, Only Electric Vehicles can Make US Independent

Juan Cole

Ann Arbor (Informed Comment) – In a major blow to President Joe Biden, on Wednesday, OPEC+ took steps toward cutting the oil production of the members by 2 million barrels a day. Jackie Northam at NPR reports the views of analysts who believe that Saudi Arabia and Russia drove the decision in order to get […]

Authoritarianism

Iran: Security Forces Fire On, Kill Protesters: International Pressure Needed to End Use of Excessive, Lethal Force

Human Rights Watch

( Human Rights Watch ) – (Beirut) – Iranian authorities have ruthlessly cracked down on widespread anti-government protests with excessive and lethal force throughout Iran, Human Rights Watch said today. Based on videos of protests, and interviews with witnesses and a security force member, Human Rights Watch documented numerous incidents of security forces unlawfully using […]

Feminism

Activist Student Movements have Shaped Iran at Every Turn: The Islamic Republic won’t be the Same

Fariba Amini

Newark, Del. (Special to Informed Comment) – Iran’s student movement has never gone away. On 16th of Azar/ December 7, 1953, three students, Ghandchi, Bozorgnia and Shariat Razavi were killed at Tehran University while the then VP Richard Nixon visited Iran, following the Coup in August of that year. Ever since, this date has been […]