Argument
A Narrowed Discourse
Since the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel and Israel’s ensuing military onslaught on Gaza, discussion and debate on the conflict have been shut down like never before. With the war playing out on social media, the discourse has polarized and flattened, as mutually exclusive narratives breed distrust and denialism.
Land of Copper
Kazakhstan is positioning itself as a key player in the global green energy transition, thanks to its abundance of minerals. Yet for residents of the town of Zhezkazgan, shaped by copper mining for over a century, that might not mean improvements in well-being or the local environment.
As College Campuses Erupt in Protest, Some See a Political Transformation
A wave of protests across the United States has brought over 1 million mostly young people to the streets. It signals to some observers that U.S. support for Israel has become anathema to a new generation, which sees the struggle in Palestine as akin to past fights against U.S. support for South Africa and the Vietnam War.
Sri Lanka’s Uncomfortable Relationship With Its Disappeared
Over three decades, more than 30 mass graves have been found in Sri Lanka, believed to be of those who disappeared during the civil war and armed communist rebellions. But efforts to uncover the truth are continually obstructed by the authorities, making families — seeking closure — live and die without answers.
The Fiasco of Iranian Diaspora Politics
Amid new crackdowns and the threat of war, Iranians, both in Iran and across the diaspora, are asking why the Woman, Life, Freedom movement failed and the Islamic Republic endures. Their hopes for change depend on an organized and effectively led political alternative that has yet to emerge.
Ramadan and Eid’s Crescent Wars
Controversy over how to determine the dates of Ramadan and Eid has long been framed as being about the science of astronomical calculation versus religious traditionalism. Yet this fails to capture the legal heart of the question, and obscures the politics of what I like to call the “Crescent Wars.”
How Henry Kissinger Bungled the Arab Oil Embargo
Most public debate about Kissinger’s legacy has concerned the morality of his “realism.” Yet examining his approach to U.S.-Saudi relations at a key moment reveals little strategic thinking and more of an ad hoc style, influenced by deep ideological values and a naive understanding of the Middle East.