Conflict
The quiet war: What’s fueling Israel’s surge of settler violence – and the lack of state response
The quiet war: What’s fueling Israel’s surge of settler violence – and the lack of state response Since October 2023, Jewish settlers have carried out around 2,000 attacks against Palestinians in the West Bank, a dramatic surge compared to previous periods. The violence is fueled by a confluence of ideological fervor, opportunism, and far-right Israelis’ […]
🏛️ Politics
A weakened Iran and Hezbollah gives Lebanon an opening to chart path away from the region’s conflicts − will it be enough?
A weakened Iran and Hezbollah gives Lebanon an opening to chart path away from the region’s conflicts − will it be enough? Lebanon has an opportunity to chart a new path away from regional conflicts due to Iran’s weakened state and Hezbollah’s losses against Israel, which could lead to Lebanon’s increased neutrality. The weakening of […]
🏛️ Politics
Could the United States split up?
Could the United States split up? Benjamin Cohen, a political economist, explores the possibility of the United States splitting up in his new book “Dream States: A Lurking Nightmare for the World Order” (2025). Cohen argues that secession movements are becoming increasingly common around the world and that the US is not immune to this […]
🏛️ Politics
Iran emerged weakened and vulnerable after war with Israel − and that could mean trouble for country’s ethnic minorities
Iran emerged weakened and vulnerable after war with Israel − and that could mean trouble for country’s ethnic minorities Iran’s recent war with Israel has left the country weakened and vulnerable, potentially threatening its ethnic minorities. The Islamic Republic’s military power has been significantly diminished, with its soft power also eroding due to a loss […]
🏛️ Politics
What happens next in US-Iran relations will be informed by the two countries’ shared history
What happens next in US-Iran relations will be informed by the two countries’ shared history The US-Iran relationship has been marked by nearly half a century of hostility, starting from Iran’s takeover of the US Embassy in Tehran in 1979 and the taking of 52 diplomatic hostages. The 1979 hostage crisis had a lasting impact […]
🏛️ Politics
Israel-Iran war recalls the 2003 US invasion of Iraq – a war my undergraduate students see as a relic of the past
Israel-Iran war recalls the 2003 US invasion of Iraq – a war my undergraduate students see as a relic of the past The Israel-Iran war has sparked concerns that it may be reminiscent of the 2003 US invasion of Iraq, a war that many young people today see as a relic of the past. The […]
🏛️ Politics
Ceasefires like the one between Iran and Israel often fail – but an agreement with specific conditions is more likely to hold
Ceasefires like the one between Iran and Israel often fail – but an agreement with specific conditions is more likely to hold Despite President Trump’s announcement of a ceasefire between Israel and Iran, both countries launched airstrikes against each other within hours, raising concerns that the deal may not hold. Ceasefire deals often fail due […]
🏛️ Politics
US bombs Iran’s nuclear sites: What led to Trump pulling the trigger – and what happens next?
US bombs Iran’s nuclear sites: What led to Trump pulling the trigger – and what happens next? The US launched a surprise attack on three Iranian nuclear facilities, including Fordo, Isfahan, and Natanz, using “bunker buster” bombs and Tomahawk missiles in the early hours of June 22, 2025. The strike was likely intended to cripple […]
📰 News
US and Iran have a long, complicated history, spanning decades before US strikes on nuclear sites
US and Iran have a long, complicated history, spanning decades before US strikes on nuclear sites **1953: The Beginning of Hostility** The US overthrew democratically-elected Prime Minister Mohammed Mossadegh in 1953, leading to decades of tension and hostility between the two countries. **1979: Embassy Takeover and Sanctions** Iranian students stormed the US Embassy in Tehran […]
🏛️ Politics
US and Iran have a long, complicated history, spanning far beyond Israel’s strikes on Tehran
US and Iran have a long, complicated history, spanning far beyond Israel’s strikes on Tehran US-Iran relations have been strained for decades, dating back to the 1953 CIA-backed coup that overthrew democratically-elected Prime Minister Mohammed Mossadegh. The two countries have been particularly hostile since Iranian students stormed the US Embassy in Tehran in 1979, leading […]
🏛️ Politics