Israel

Iran Israel Reporting

Quiet Solidarity: The Underground Networks that Defied Israel’s War on Iran

August 14, 2025 by Alex Shams

Originally published on The Public Source on August 14, 2025. On the morning of Thursday, June 12, Tehran moved to its familiar rhythms. Students crammed for finals in packed cafés and

Iran

The Take: How can Iranians rebuild while crackdowns intensify?

June 30, 2025 by Alex Shams

Originally broadcast on Al Jazeera’s The Talk on June 30, 2025. Israel’s bombs have stopped, but grief and fear linger in Iran. As families search the rubble for loved ones,

Iran Israel

CBS Interview: Reaction in Middle East to Israel-Iran ceasefire

June 25, 2025 by Alex Shams

Alex Shams was interviewed live on CBS news to talk about how Iranians reacted to the ceasefire with Israel. Aired on June 25, 2025.

Iran Israel Opinion

Iranians Put Faith in Diplomacy. Israel and Trump Shattered Their Hopes

June 20, 2025 by Alex Shams

Originally published in Newsweek on June 20, 2025. Every night for the last week, my family in Tehran wakes up to the Earth shaking as missiles strike and children scream.

Iran Israel

CBS Interview: How Iranians Experienced Israel’s Surprise Assault

June 20, 2025 by Alex Shams

Alex Shams was interviewed live on CBS news to talk about how Iranians experienced Israel’s surprise assault. Aired on June 20, 2025.

Lebanon Reporting

‘They Hit Everyone and Anyone’: From Lebanon, residents share what life has been like since Israel launched its attack.

October 2, 2024 by Alex Shams

Originally published on Oct 2, 2024 in New York Magazine. As told to Alex Shams. On September 17, Israel launched a military assault in Lebanon. It began with attacks that

Iran Reporting

They Risked Their Lives for Freedom in Iran. Now They Fear Israel’s Bombs.

April 29, 2024 by Alex Shams

Originally published on Truthout on April 29, 2024. Having survived waves of domestic repression, protesters in Iran are now in the crosshairs of Israeli bombs. In fall 2022, they were

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

Arab World Palestine Reporting

‘They Don’t Want People to Know We Exist’: Palestinians across the West Bank describe what life has been like since October 7

November 10, 2023 by Alex Shams

Originally published in New York Magazine on Nov. 10, 2023. Over the last month, Israel launched an assault across the Gaza Strip in response to Hamas’s October 7 attack, in

Israel Opinion

‘Broad City’ Didn’t Just Go on Birthright — It Spent 21 Minutes Mocking It

April 18, 2016 by Alex Shams

Originally published on The Forward on April 28, 2016. Written by Alex Shams. When Ilana and Abby from “Broad City” announced last week that they were going on Birthright Israel,