Argument
The House Khamenei Built
Ali Khamenei’s journey took him from literary modernism to revolutionary Islamism. With the supreme leader’s death, Iranians are left to reckon with the political order he shaped and the unresolved contradictions he leaves behind. The impending succession now places the Islamic republic’s future in question.
Iran Is Not on the Brink of Revolution
In Iran today, acts of quiet defiance have become part of everyday life. In the country’s major cities, one sees unveiled women in public places. Protest songs circulate widely. But outside observers who believe the country is on the cusp of another revolution are fundamentally mistaken.
The Politics of Wildlife Protection
In November, countries gathered in Uzbekistan to regulate the global trade of wildlife under an international convention that is deeply shaped by lobbying, political horse-trading and big economic interests, yet remains a vital tool of conservation worldwide.
From Guantanamo to Minneapolis
After 9/11, the detention center in Cuba became synonymous with the excesses of the “war on terror” and unchecked executive power. More than 20 years later, the U.S. is weaponizing the same legal and political apparatus as part of its campaign against migrants.
IShowSpeed’s Africa Tour Isn’t About Saving Anyone
What a month-long livestream tour of Africa by the YouTuber IShowSpeed has revealed about race, power and who controls the story of the continent.
Latin America’s Mixed Reactions to Trump’s Venezuela Intervention
Latin America is divided over the Trump administration’s military intervention in Venezuela. From strong condemnation to cheerful approval, the range of reactions reflects the region’s increasingly polarized political landscape.
The Moderates Taking On the Masculinity Crisis
From Netflix’s “Adolescence” to Scott Galloway’s “Notes on Being a Man” and myriad studies and podcasts, it’s clear that something is up with boys and young men. But we’re not sure precisely whose fault it is — or why it’s even happening.