Siyavash Shahabi

  • How Germany Justifies Refugee Exploitation in Greece

    How Germany Justifies Refugee Exploitation in Greece

    I followed the recent decision of the German Federal Constitutional Court closely—because it’s not just about one case. It’s about a system that people like me live under every day. The case was about an Afghan refugee who had already received protection status in Greece. He went to Germany, applied for asylum again, and…

  • Geopolitics and Social Movements in Post-2023 Iran

    Geopolitics and Social Movements in Post-2023 Iran

    The Islamic Republic built a tool and named it the “Axis of Resistance.” For three decades, it used this label to present itself as a force against Israel and in support of Palestinian liberation. This construction was not accidental. It served a strategic purpose: to expand the regime’s regional influence under the cover of…

  • Greece: Refugees Still Face Major Barriers to a Normal Life

    Greece: Refugees Still Face Major Barriers to a Normal Life

    Even after receiving refugee status in Greece, daily life remains full of obstacles. The latest report by Refugee Support Aegean (RSA) and PRO ASYL confirms what many of us have already experienced: recognition on paper does not mean real protection or stability. As someone who has lived in Greece for several years and gone…

  • Iran–US: Against the War Camps

    Iran–US: Against the War Camps

    Over the past 24 hours, diplomatic and military developments between the United States, Israel, and the Islamic Republic of Iran have intensified. While the headlines are shaped by threats of war, military buildups, and indirect diplomatic signaling, the underlying dynamics point to deeper strategic tensions that require clear and grounded analysis. As tensions between…

  • Baloch Women Face Repression for Speaking Out

    Baloch Women Face Repression for Speaking Out

    In March 2025, two prominent Baloch human rights defenders, Mahrang Baloch and Sammi Deen Baloch, were arrested by Pakistani authorities during peaceful protests in Quetta and Karachi. Their arrests have increased concerns about the criminalization of dissent and the ongoing policy of enforced disappearances in Balochistan. Both women are internationally recognized for their work.…

  • The U.S.–Iran Standoff in a Shifting Global Order

    The U.S.–Iran Standoff in a Shifting Global Order

    The latest escalation between the United States and the Islamic Republic of Iran signals more than a bilateral conflict over nuclear capabilities. While Iranian officials hint at resuming a nuclear program if attacked, Donald Trump has issued multiple threats of unprecedented military strikes, using the Houthis’ actions in the Red Sea as justification. However,…

  • Structural Corruption in Türkiye: The Case of Espressolab

    Structural Corruption in Türkiye: The Case of Espressolab

    In March 2025, Türkiye experienced a wave of political unrest following the detention of İstanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu and several municipal officials. These events triggered nationwide protests and renewed calls for boycotts targeting businesses perceived to be aligned with the ruling government. Among the companies that came under public scrutiny was Espressolab. Espressolab, a…

  • Militarism in Iran: War Machines and Social Crisis

    Militarism in Iran: War Machines and Social Crisis

    Iran’s so-called “missile cities” are large-scale underground military installations designed to store, maintain, and potentially launch ballistic and cruise missiles, drones, and air defense systems. Developed and operated primarily by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), these facilities are part of a broader military strategy aimed at strengthening deterrence capabilities, particularly in response to…

  • Your Values Burned the World

    Your Values Burned the World

    There is something about this crazy simplification. There’s no such thing as “Western values.” That clean, polished idea never really existed. The West wasn’t handed down from the sky. It was built through war, slavery, blood, and fire. Without that brutal history, it wouldn’t be what it is today. Even the Enlightenment (often praised…

  • National Conflict, Netanyahu, and Iran’s Revolutionary Future

    National Conflict, Netanyahu, and Iran’s Revolutionary Future

    The slogan “Woman, Life, Freedom” represents a political movement that emerged in Iran with significant implications for the entire Middle East. It was a progressive and radical moment in recent regional history. However, it cannot be understood in isolation. It must be seen as part of a broader process of civil resistance and political…

  • Stripped by the Border: Cold Borders, Colder Hearts

    Stripped by the Border: Cold Borders, Colder Hearts

    There is something about the cold that strips away all illusion. It was winter 2017 when I crossed the border from Turkey to Greece and landed in Thessaloniki. Fourteen of us, huddled together, braving the ice-cold night. Some had been pushed back before—tortured, jailed, and sent back again. No one stayed long in any…

  • We Were Never Meant to Belong

    We Were Never Meant to Belong

    Photo: Refugee temporary accommodation by IOM, Athens, November 17, 2020. In Iran, when the last days of a administrative come around, they do not go out with humility. No. They celebrate. They build stages and stand behind microphones, handing each other awards and shaking hands like they just saved the country. Ministers smile into…