Author Archives: iPouya

The Diplomatic Opportunity in Iran’s Dashed Hopes for the ‘Arab Spring’

Posted on September 9, 2012 by iPouya

My latest piece at Tehran Bureau (PBS): Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi’s recent visit to Iran to attend the 120-member gathering of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) represents monumental shifts rooted in the Arab uprisings that have significant ramifications for Egypt and Iran. … Continue reading →

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U.S. Sidelined in Syria?

Posted on August 31, 2012 by iPouya

Here is another discussion at Huffington Post Live in which I participated. The conversation circled around Syria in the context of the wider Middle East.

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Revisiting the Flawed Policy of Sanctioning Iran: How Sanctions Hurt the Reformers

Posted on August 28, 2012 by iPouya

Here is the article I mentioned I was writing in the previous post. It is now up at The Huffington Post: The recent devastating earthquake in Iran has brought the issue of the U.S.-EU sanctions on Iran back to the … Continue reading →

Posted in Iran | 2 Comments

Iran Sanctions Re-visited

Posted on August 23, 2012 by iPouya

I participated in a discussion on Huffington Post Live in which we discussed the ongoing sanctions on Iran. I am preparing an article on the subject but the video will give those interested an idea of what I’ll be addressing … Continue reading →

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Iran’s Olympic Run in Perspective

Posted on August 12, 2012 by iPouya

“Iran only sent 53 athletes to the 2012 Olympic Games. Compare that with the United States’ 530 athletes, or China’s 396, and you’ll appreciate Iran’s accomplishment… Iranians won a medal for every 4.4 athletes they sent to the Olympics…The Chinese … Continue reading →

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Stay Gold, Iran

Posted on August 10, 2012 by iPouya

As much as I don’t like nationalisms (except for ones brutally denied!), open displays of nationalism, flags and false borders, I nevertheless find great joy in Iran’s success in the Olympics thus far. I am an Iranian, an American, and … Continue reading →

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The Olympics: Palestinian Athlete Aims for Glory

Posted on July 27, 2012 by iPouya

I enjoy athletic competition and I especially enjoy following the NBA (I may be from So Cal, but I loathe Kobe!) but the Olympics and the World Cup and other events whereby people come out with their jingoism usually make me a bit nauseous. … Continue reading →

Posted in Palestine | 3 Comments

“The Dark Knight Rises”

Posted on July 23, 2012 by iPouya

I’m 30-years-old and am beginning my 4th year in the PhD program in history, but I have no qualms admitting I’m a Batman fanboy.  Like everyone else around me at the time, I couldn’t wait to see “The Dark Knight” … Continue reading →

Posted in Film | 1 Comment

The Politics of the Aurora Theatre Shooting

Posted on July 20, 2012 by iPouya

It almost seems cliche to say so, but I find it necessary to say it anyway: Had the psychotic and imbecile shooter of the threatre been a Muslim, or was remotely connected to Islam or the region, i.e. his grandmother … Continue reading →

Posted in Iran, Palestine | 1 Comment

Ramadhan Kareem

Posted on July 20, 2012 by iPouya

I don’t want to pretend like I’m religious when I’m not, but out of respect for my heritage (Islam was one aspect amongst many of my upbringing) and for friends that are observing this holy month, Ramadhan kareem. Enjoy the blog’s header. … Continue reading →

Posted in Islam | 1 Comment

The US as a Middle East Regional Power

Posted on July 15, 2012 by iPouya

Al Jazeera English posted a video brief on the ever-growing US military presence in the Middle East. Maybe it took too long for it to dawn on me, but after watching the video and in the context of a map of … Continue reading →

Posted in Middle East | 1 Comment

The Film “Hunger,” Hunger Strikers, and Street Names

Posted on July 12, 2012 by iPouya

I was bedridden sick for about a week and after seeing “Prometheus” and Michael Fassbender’s captivating performance, I decided to make use of my downtime and check out some of his movies that I hadn’t seen, including “Shame,” “A Dangerous … Continue reading →

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More blog updates…

Posted on July 12, 2012 by iPouya

I’ve updated the “Recommended Reading” section of the blog, along with the “Favorite Films” tab. If you have any ideas for useful tabs, do share.

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The Arab Spring and Eastern Saudi Arabia

Posted on July 11, 2012 by iPouya

I’m partial towards any uprising, more or less, against any and all regimes in the Middle East as I believe that not a single one is worthy of toleration. The ones that really tug on the heartstrings, however, are the … Continue reading →

Posted in Arab Spring, Saudi Arabia | 1 Comment

Blog’s new look

Posted on July 11, 2012 by iPouya

Do you guys like the blog’s new feel? I’ve spent the past couple days working on it and am excited about it, to say the least. The cool thing about this template is that it allows me to change the … Continue reading →

Posted in iPouya | 1 Comment