Siyavash Shahabi
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Palestine: Solidarity without Blind Spots
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Marx’s analysis links primitive accumulation of capital and colonialism as two pillars of capitalist expansion, involving violent expropriation and exploitation tied to colonial ventures. This historical critique aligns with contemporary leftist debates in places like Greece, where the left grapples with anti-imperialist narratives and the ethical implications of alliances and…
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Class Conflict and Redefining Socialism
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The Islamic Republic is facing a crisis of hegemony; its political, economic, and cultural dominance is diminishing amidst internal discontent and defiance, particularly from the “Woman, Life, Freedom” movement. In contrast, Turkey exemplifies the decline of political Islam in a less autocratic context. Historical communism’s struggles inform current leftist nationalism…
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“Seven Winters in Tehran”, Fight for Saving Life
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Documentary shock, “Seven winters in Tehran” by Steffi Niederzoll tells the story of Reyhaneh Jabbari, hanging for stabbing a man who wanted to rape her, and sheds light on the oppression of women in Iran. The production of “Seven Winters in Tehran,” co-produced by Germany and France, took more than…
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Foucault, Iran Revolution,
and the Question of Orientalism•
After several decades, we think that Western intellectuals in 1979 were mistaken about the Iranian Revolution, or, at best, were deceived by the words and behavior of Islamist who oppressed the revolutionaries and the “tricks” of the their leaders. But this is true? Can we add that these were intellectuals…
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Afghanistan; A place Every Bomb Detonated
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In the unforgiving deserts of Nimroz, amid dust and displacement, we made bonds and promises sprinkled with earth-tasting sugar to never forget each other. Narges Joodaki, an award-winning journalist, documents the harrowing journeys of Afghan refugees scarred by continuous wars. While teaching displaced children, subject to a world of suffering…
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War; Marxism vs. liberal left!
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Western reluctance to support Ukraine swiftly, international firms’ vested interests in Russia, and the right-wing’s indifference toward Russia’s expansionism are central themes. Global left-wing politics, accused of siding with Russian imperialism and neglecting issues like migration and the struggles in the Global South, demonstrate intellectual poverty. They overlook major geopolitical…
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Voices from the Shadows:
Inside Sweden’s Deportation Camps•
Berham Mohammad, a Kurdish refugee in Gothenburg, recounts the harrowing conditions in a Swedish camp that resembles a prison-like environment with psychological warfare, inhumane treatment, and repeated violations of human rights. Incarcerated with other refugees, some long-term residents face forced returns, while harsh daily living conditions provoke hunger strikes and…
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Dawn of the Iranian Renaissance:
Critiquing the Religion•
Reza Alijani’s book “The Future of Islam in Iran” explores the social evolution and religious criticism in Iran since the Qajar era, focusing on the post-1979 authoritarian turn and economic corruption of the Islamic Republic. Analyzing society’s move towards modernity and individual rights, Alijani underscores the widespread challenge to traditional…
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How Healthcare Costs Push Iranians to the Brink
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Healthcare expenses, particularly medication, consume a significant portion of Iranian household incomes, with many forgoing treatments due to high costs. Iran’s rate of direct health payments is above global averages, indicating a widespread occurrence of catastrophic health expenditures. This trend results in increased poverty and reduced living standards, despite national…
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Iran: Minimum Wage and State Manipulated Food Baskets
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The state in favor employers manipulate the basket food to suppress wages. The Ministry of Health has reduced nutritional needs in the food basket, sparking worker protests. Amid inflation and unemployment threats, the true cost of living is ignored, leaving workers underpaid and increasing hunger, while employers oppose wage hikes…
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Four Essential Books on Palestine:
Navigating Beyond Propaganda•
In the heart of the Middle East lies a land considered holy by millions, yet the battleground for one of the most protracted and complex conflicts in modern history: the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. This blog post delves into the narratives, pain, and perspectives of both Israelis and Palestinians through the lens…
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Forgotten Refugees of the Balkan Route
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Trieste’s Piazza della Libertà and the nearby Silos warehouses have become a hub for migrants, mostly from Afghanistan and Pakistan, fleeing violence and seeking asylum. They endure harsh living conditions, with inadequate shelter, facing winter cold and illness. Volunteers provide some aid, while local organizations struggle to house the 420…
