Dissent

Written byGuest Contributor This piece was first published by Alliance for Universal Digital Rights (AUDRi), on September 16, 2023, and was written by Emma Gibson, the global coordinator for AUDRi. An edited version is republished here with permission ( Globalvoices.org ) – September 16, 2023, marked a year since the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini […]

Authoritarianism

The Legacy of Mahsa, a Year later: It Is Only the Beginning for Iranian Women

Fariba Amini

Newark, Del. (Special to Informed Comment; Feature) – Imagine, you come from your small town to visit the capital. You have a whole plan to visit places, parks, and monuments. You want to have a good time with your friends and relatives. The night before you are together with your friends and family. You laugh, […]

Authoritarianism

Mahsa Amini: A Year into the Protest Movement in Iran, this is What’s Changed

The Conversation

Mahsa Amini: a year into the protest movement in Iran, this is what’s changed By Afshin Shahi, Keele University | = Iran’s rulers continue to enforce tight public controls as the anniversary of the death of Mahsa Amini in the custody of the “morality police” approaches. Amini died after being arrested for allegedly breaching hijab […]

Authoritarianism

How Mahsa Amini’s Death became a Rallying Call for Thousands of Iranians

Radio Free Europe Radio Liberty

By Michael Scollon and Fereshteh Ghazi A combo photo shows Mahsa Amini (left) in the hospital on September 16, 2022, and her father and grandmother right after her death. ( RFE/RL ) – Sharmin Habibi recalls the circumstances of her husband’s killing at the hands of Iran’s security forces. But she could be […]

Anti-intellectualism

‘Era Of Repression’: Iran Purges Ranks Of University Professors Ahead Of Veil Protest Anniversary

Radio Free Europe Radio Liberty

By Hannah Kaviani Fereshteh Ghazi ( RFE/RL ) – Encouraging students to hold unauthorized demonstrations. Encouraging students to sing antiestablishment slogans. Encouraging female students to remove their head scarves. Undermining Islamic values and acting against the interests of the system. These are the list of reasons the Iranian authorities are using to increasingly purge the […]

Authoritarianism

Saudi Reforms are softening Wahhabi Islam’s Role, but Critics warn the Kingdom will Still Quash Dissent

The Conversation

By Nathan French, Miami University | – (The Conversation) – The crown prince of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Salman, or “MBS,” is bringing a new vision of a “moderate, balanced” Saudi Islam by minimizing the role of Saudi religious institutions once seen as critical to the monarchy. For decades, Saudi kings provided support to religious […]

art and photography

Iran’s Street Art shows Defiance, Resistance and Resilience

The Conversation

By Pouya Afshar, UMass Lowell | – (The Conversation) – A recent rise in activism in Iran has added a new chapter to the country’s long-standing history of murals and other public art. But as the sentiments being expressed in those works have changed, the government’s view of them has shifted, too. The ancient Persians, […]

Authoritarianism

70 Years ago, an Anglo-US Coup condemned Iran to Decades of Oppression — But now the People are fighting Back

The Conversation

By Simin Fadaee, University of Manchester | – The 1953 coup d’etat in Iran ushered in a period of exploitation and oppression that has continued – despite a subsequent revolution that led to huge changes – for 70 years. Each year on August 19, the anniversary of the coup, millions of Iranians ask themselves what […]

Authoritarianism

Chaos as Israel departs the Ranks of Democracies, Adopting the Hungarian Model of Elective Dictatorship

Juan Cole

Ann Arbor (Informed Comment) – The Israeli newspaper Arab 48 reports that on Monday, the Israeli parliament or Knesset passed the article removing the power of administrative review from Israeli courts on grounds of “reasonability.” The measure passed 64-0 in the 120-seat body, with the far right wing coalition of Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu unanimously […]