Siyavash Shahabi
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Iran: A Movement for Life Against Execution
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Recent reports from Iran show a troubling increase in executions, with political dissidents like Worishe Moradi and Shahab Nad-Ali charged with “Baghy,” equating to rebellion. January 2024 saw 86 executions, outpacing new death sentences. This reflects an apparent policy shift or “cleansing” effort, with the death penalty used to suppress…
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Iran 1979: Between Anti-Imperialism and Socialism
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Valentine Moghadam’s article, “Socialism or Anti-Imperialism? The Left and Revolution in Iran,” analyzes the ideological complexity of the Iranian Left during the revolutionary period. It explores the Left’s commitment to anti-imperialism and its critique of dependent capitalism, while also addressing its failures and challenges. The article delves into the impact…
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Iran: The Colonial Legacy of Women’s Exploitation
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Iran’s Deputy Minister of Industry announced the closure of 6,900 industrial units, exacerbating unemployment and poverty, with women hit hardest. Official data shows women’s employment decreasing, with informal jobs, accounting for 70% of employment, leaving them vulnerable to exploitation and without legal or social protections. The patriarchal and misogynistic culture…
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Iran: Ahvaz Steel Workers Against Privatization
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Recently, steel workers in Ahvaz, Iran, intensified their protests over fair compensation, job classification, and job security, clashing with National Steel Factory management. The conflict arose after a corrupt privatization scheme, inequitable salary practices, and management’s refusal to uphold agreements. Workers have initiated strikes following failed negotiations and are challenging…
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Middle East and The Fate of Populism:
Iran, Palestine and Beyond•
“The Fate of Third Worldism in the Middle East: Palestine, Iran and Beyond” explores the region’s shift from Third Worldism—a revolutionary, anti-imperialist ideology of the 1960s, aimed at universal emancipation—to authoritarian religious governments in the 1980s. Rasmus Christian Elling and Sune Haugbolle’s book discusses how the promising liberation movements in…
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The Essence of Socialism is Human
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Mansoor Hekmat interpreted Marx’s thoughts to argue that social production and consciousness are products of human action, not precursors to existence. He asserted that revolutions, like the French, increase consciousness and transform society. Social arrangements like capitalism or socialism, while consciously constructed, do not define humanity. Hekmat emphasized that true…
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Women’s Activism in the Heart of Balochistan
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The history of Balochistan is deeply intertwined with the experiences of its women, whose stories of resistance and resilience offer valuable insights into the region’s cultural, social, and political landscape. Baloch women have been pivotal in movements against oppression, mitigating human rights abuses, and challenging authoritarian regimes, particularly in the…
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Mohammed Ghobadlou; Story of a State Murder
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24-year-old Mohammed Ghobadlou was executed in Iran for alleged involvement in protests after Mahsa/Jina Amini’s death. He faced charges of murder and Moharebeh, driving into police and causing death and injuries. His trial lacked proper legal representation, and his execution, the ninth linked to protests, followed dubious judicial processes, sparking…
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Zionism Reexamined: Beyond the Narrative
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The establishment of Israel emerged from British imperial interests in the Middle East, Zionism, and various historical events, rather than being an eternal constant. Zionism began in the late 19th century as a secular movement in Eastern Europe and Russia, advocating for a Jewish nation as a refuge from persecution…
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Greece: The Uncertain Future of the Helios Program
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The HELIOS refugee integration project in Greece, managed by the International Organization for Migration and the Greek Ministry, was abruptly halted due to funding shortfalls since early 2024, leaving many refugees vulnerable to homelessness. The suspension hinders access to housing support, language courses, and employment resources. Funding inconsistencies and bureaucratic…
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Behind the Bravado:
The Human Costs of Mitsotakis’ Falsehoods•
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis boasted about excelling in migration management at a recent conference, but crucial issues were conveniently omitted. Violations of international laws and human rights, pushbacks of thousands of refugees, and a tragic shipwreck involving over 650 lives paint a different picture. European Commission’s silence and financial…
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Beyond the Frontlines: A Harrowing Account of Systematic Abuse by Israeli Soldiers
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In December 2023, shocking images from Beit Lahiya, northern Gaza Strip, revealed Palestinian men getting forcefully detained by Israeli forces. Reports from various sources depicted systematic mistreatment in Israeli military detention facilities, including electric shocks, burns, enforced sleep and starvation, and physical abuse. The Realities for Palestinian Civilians in Gaza…
