Opinion

Iran Opinion

Iran Braces for Uncertainty After President Raisi’s Death

July 16, 2024 by Alex Shams

Published on June 9, 2024 on Truthout. Besides crushing dissent, the former leader did little of note. Could a new president be different? When Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi’s helicopter went

Opinion Palestine USA

Universities should defend students’ right to free speech, not aid their repression

May 1, 2024 by Alex Shams

Originally published in the Chicago Tribune on May 1, 2024. In mid-April, the University of Southern California banned the school valedictorian from giving a commencement address for the first time in its

Israel Opinion Palestine

Israel Needs a Plan in Gaza. Don’t Look to the West Bank for Ideas

November 22, 2023 by Alex Shams

Originally published in Newsweek on Nov. 20, 2023. One of Elias Deis’ first childhood memories is running from soldiers opening fire on his neighbors. It was 1989. The First Intifada

Iran Opinion

Iran has a long history of protests. This time it’s different

October 8, 2022 by Alex Shams

Originally published in the Los Angeles Times on Oct. 8, 2022. Three weeks in, Iran’s protests show no signs of stopping. Sparked by the death of a young Kurdish Iranian

Iran Opinion

What Role Does Religion Play in Iran’s Protests?

September 28, 2022 by Alex Shams

Alex Shams was interviewed by AJ+ about the “Woman, Life, Freedom” protests in Iran that began in September 2022. He discussed how protestors were navigating the complex relationship between religion

Iran Opinion

Happy Nowruz from Ajam: 1399 in Review

April 19, 2021 by Alex Shams

Originally published on Ajam Media Collective at April 19, 2021. Happy Nowruz from all of us here at Ajam Media Collective! It’s a rare thing to experience the turn of

Opinion

Happy Nowruz from Ajam: 1398 in Review

March 20, 2020 by Alex Shams

Originally published by Ajam Media Collective on March 20, 2020. Happy Nowruz from all of us here at Ajam Media Collective! With the arrival of the first day of spring

Iran Opinion

Tehran is not just “LA with minarets”: Against cliches of Third World cities on the brink of disaster

January 14, 2019 by Alex Shams

The Guardian covered Tehran in its recent article series, “The next 15 mega cities,” an examination of metropolises across Asia and Africa that will soon hit the 15-million population mark.

Opinion

Bulgarian Habibi: How Orientalist Stereotypes in Chalga Music Recover Memories of the Balkans’ Ottoman Past

January 10, 2019 by Alex Shams

Originally published by Balkanist on January 10, 2019. The tension inherent to chalga and turbofolk music – is it local or foreign? – hints at the deeper paradox beneath contemporary

Opinion Palestine

How Trump ruined Christmas for Palestinian Christians

December 25, 2017 by Alex Shams

Originally published by Middle East Eye on December 25, 2017. American support for Israel is helping drive Palestinian Christians out Christmas is a special time of the year in Palestine.

Iran Braces for Uncertainty After President Raisi’s Death

Universities should defend students’ right to free speech, not aid their repression

Israel Needs a Plan in Gaza. Don’t Look to the West Bank for Ideas

Iran has a long history of protests. This time it’s different

What Role Does Religion Play in Iran’s Protests?

Happy Nowruz from Ajam: 1399 in Review

Happy Nowruz from Ajam: 1398 in Review

Tehran is not just “LA with minarets”: Against cliches of Third World cities on the brink of disaster

Bulgarian Habibi: How Orientalist Stereotypes in Chalga Music Recover Memories of the Balkans’ Ottoman Past

How Trump ruined Christmas for Palestinian Christians

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