Elnaz Rekabi, the Iranian rock climber who gained international notoriety for competing without her hijab, has had her family's home demolished by authorities according to the pro-reform news outlet IranWire. Rekabi became a symbol of the anti-regime protests to some demonstrators, when she competed in South Korea with her head...
Zakaria: Enough About Democracy’s Weaknesses. Let’s Talk About Its Strengths.
Over the past few months, we have worried a great deal about the fragility of democracy. From the United States and Brazil to Sweden and Italy, the system seemed to be facing real challenges. Yet, in all of these cases, elections have had the effect of taming many of the most illiberal forces, and, at least for...
Ayatollah’s Niece Urges World to “Stop Any Dealings” with Iran and Support the Protesters
The niece of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is calling on people to pressure their governments to cut ties with Tehran over its violent suppression of anti-government protests. In a video posted online by her brother, Farideh Moradkhani, urged “conscientious people of the world” to support Iranian protesters. The...
Iran Coach Aims to Send the US Home From the World Cup
Deep in the meeting rooms of the Al Rayyan Hotel in Qatar, Iran has been cooking up a plan to send the U.S. national soccer team home from the World Cup. The team’s silver-haired leader is a master of defensive tactics, creative preparation, and surprising counter-strikes. He is identifying American...
The US Begins New Get-Tough Policy With Iran
The Iranian Government continues to aid Russia in the war against Ukraine, shoots and imprisons protesters, and now says it will continue its nuclear enrichment program. This has pretty much ended the White House’s hopes for diplomacy and has started a new era of confrontation, including imposing sanctions on Tehran....
Ian Bremmer: Europe’s Tough Decisions
Winter is coming and for Europe, a bleak winter it may be. The escalating Russia/Ukraine war has united European support to Kyiv’s cause, but it’s also brought a plethora of economic, political, and social challenges. Inflation, a sinking Euro, and the possibility of an energy crisis brings to question just...
Zakaria: Trump Won’t Magically Disappear. Republicans Will Have to Purge Him.
It is heartening to see some important Republican figures come out against Donald Trump. But it’s worth noting that many embraced him when he proposed a Muslim ban, tried to extort Ukraine’s president, was impeached and tried to overturn an election. His real sin, in their eyes, is that he...
Iranian Police Open Fire at Tehran Metro Station and Beat Women on Train
Iranian security forces have opened fire on people at a metro station in Tehran and beaten women who were not wearing mandatory hair coverings as protests over the death of Mahsa Amini entered a third month. Footage shared on social media showed passengers running towards exits, with many falling and being trampled,...
Is California on Its Way to Banning Rodeos?
In California, there is a growing movement to ban — or seriously curtail — rodeos and related events. And lawmakers are stepping into the fray, exposing one more hot-button issue that is seemingly emblematic of the nation’s growing cultural discord. In Los Angeles, the City Council is poised to vote...
Airline Pilots OK Strike as Holiday Travel Season Arrives
Delta Arline pilots have recently voted to strike. In concert with pilots at other big airlines, they've been trying to get a new contract for quite a while. They've been picketing. They've been complaining. They've been threatening. While Delta's CEO says there's "no possibility" of a walkout during the Thanksgiving...