Tag Archives: #Iran

Why I support Kurdistan’s independence referendum

Posted on September 25, 2017 by nervana111

Here is an English version of my latest article in Al-Hurra   ( photo via the Guardian)   In 838, a Kurdish leader based in Mosul named Mir Jafar Dasni revolted against the Caliph Al-Mu’tasim. After a series of armed confrontation between … Continue reading →

Posted in Middle East | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Iran’s election: False hopes of a moderate path

Posted on May 22, 2017 by nervana111

( Iran’s Supreme Leader Khamenei –via The Guardian)  Last Friday, Iranians voted in the country’s presidential election, favoring current President Hassan Rouhani with 56.9% of the votes, defeating his hardliner rival Raisi, who scored only 38.5. Reformist candidates have also … Continue reading →

Posted in Iran, Middle East, Short Comments | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Iran, chess, and the psychological bullying of non-hijabi defiant women

Posted on October 16, 2016 by nervana111

A poisonous debate has erupted since Nazi Paikidze, a 22-year-old American champion chess player, announced her decision to boycott next year’s World Chess Championship competition in Iran. A stream of articles published criticism about her decision to boycott and her … Continue reading →

Posted in Best Read, Iran, Islam, women rights | Tagged , , , , , , | 23 Comments

Italy’s shambolic appeasement of Islamism

Posted on January 27, 2016 by nervana111

Plywood boxes concealed the nude statues at the museum in Rome Photo via BBC   Iranian President Rouhani is in Europe seeking to boost economic ties after the implementation of the Iran deal and the lifting of sanctions on his … Continue reading →

Posted in Egypt, Iran, Islam, Middle East, Politics | Tagged , , , , | 11 Comments

Suleiman Khater: Egypt’s Fake Hero

Posted on January 12, 2016 by nervana111

Iranian stamp honouring Suleiman Khater for killing Israelis   Sinai October 1985 — Egyptian conscript Suleiman Khater killed 7 Israeli civilians, including 4 children, during their vacation in Ras Burqa, in Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula. In December 1985, Khater was tried … Continue reading →

Posted in Diary of Aak, Egypt, Short Comments | Tagged , , , , | 10 Comments

Short Comments: On Egypt and Saudi Arabia

Posted on August 5, 2015 by nervana111

Saudi Arabia’s Ambassador to Egypt Ahmad Qattan  (Al Arabiya) Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to Egypt, Ahmed Qattan, has played down media reports suggesting ties between both countries are strained, adding that bilateral relations are “at their best.” The Saudi Ambassador has … Continue reading →

Posted in Short Comments | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Iran Deal: A potential kiss of death for liberalism in the Middle East

Posted on July 21, 2015 by nervana111

Initially published in Egypt’s Ahram. After 12 years of diplomatic proposals and 20 months of tough negotiations, theocratic Iran and world powers have reached a nuclear deal that, regardless of its potential advantages, is undoubtedly a victory for smart illiberalism and … Continue reading →

Posted in Best Read, Iran, Middle East, Politics, Syria | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

In Photos: The hidden beauty of Iran

Posted on April 7, 2015 by nervana111

Away from politics and  the intense debate of the Iran provisional nuclear agreement, here is some of my collection of  photos from my visit to this fascinating country. And yes, I  felt more comfortable outside Tehran  Shiraz:  Pink roses are particularly dominant in … Continue reading →

Posted in Iran, Photo Essay | Tagged | 4 Comments

Any Vietnam in Yemen will not be Egypt’s Vietnam

Posted on March 27, 2015 by nervana111

( Yemen ‘s sixties civil war- gettyimages) After Saudi Arabia and its regional allies started their air strikes against the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen, it did not take long for Egypt to announce its military support for the Saudi … Continue reading →

Posted in Egypt, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Yemen | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Middle East Digest. December 2013 Part II

Posted on January 2, 2014 by nervana111

Iran British envoy to visit Iran for first time in two years Iran ready to discuss island dispute with UAE Iran’s Zarif stretches Gulf trip to include UAE Iran diplomacy must be backed by military power: Chuck Hagel Hassan Rouhani … Continue reading →

Posted in Iran, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Middle East, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments