Quillette

Does the Sunni–Shia Divide Still Matter? Kaveh Shahrooz #iran For centuries, the Sunni–Shia divide shaped Middle Eastern politics. But today, alliances often cross sectarian lines. In this clip, Kaveh Shahrooz explains why geopolitics may matter more than religious identity. ▶️ Watch the full conversation — https://quillette.com/2026/03/06/will-post-islamist-iran-get-a-royal-restoration/ Follow @quillette for more interviews and political analysis. #middleeast #sunni #shia #geopolitics #middleeastpolitics #iranpolitics #worldpolitics #politicalanalysis #foreignpolicy #middleeaststudies #globalpolitics #religionandpolitics #politicsreels #educationreels #quillette Quillette is an Australian-based online magazine that focuses on long-form analysis and cultural commentary. It is politically non-partisan, but relies on reason, science, and humanism as its guiding values. Quillette was founded in 2015 by Australian writer Claire Lehmann. It is a platform for free thought and a space for open discussion and debate on a wide range of topics, including politics, culture, science, and technology. Quillette has gained attention for publishing articles and essays that challenge modern orthodoxy on a variety of topics, including gender and sexuality, race and identity politics, and free speech and censorship. --- Quillette's revenue comes from our readers. We are a grassroots organisation that relies on voluntary subscriptions and community membership as our primary revenue stream. Support Quillette by becoming a subscriber: https://quillette.com/#/portal/signup Or donate send us a one-off tip: https://quillette.com/#/portal/support We made our website using Ghost, a powerful app for new-media creators to publish, share, and grow a business around their content. It comes with modern tools to build a website, publish content, send newsletters & offer paid subscriptions to members. Try it here: https://ghost.org/?via=claire91

Check out Quillette's latest video, Does the Sunni–Shia Divide Still Matter? Kaveh Shahrooz #iran

Operation Epic Fury: The Hidden Target Behind US-Israeli Strikes on Iran What if the latest US–Israeli strikes on Iran aren’t really about Iran? Operation Epic Fury may look like a Middle East conflict. But beneath the surface lies a much bigger strategic game. For years, China has quietly depended on Iranian oil—moved through “shadow fleets” of tankers that switch off their transponders and relabel cargo before it reaches Chinese ports. That trade keeps Beijing’s economy supplied with cheap energy while providing Tehran with a huge share of its government revenue. But the partnership goes further. China has supplied surveillance technology, missile components, and support that helped rebuild Iran’s military capabilities. In effect, Iran became a useful geopolitical distraction—tying down American attention and resources in the Middle East while China prepared for a much larger confrontation in the Indo-Pacific. So when the US and Israel strike Iranian infrastructure, the ripple effects go far beyond Tehran. Weakening Iran also disrupts one of China’s key strategic partners. If that distraction disappears, the world’s focus may shift to the rivalry that will define the coming decades: the struggle over Taiwan. Read the full analysis at Quillette. https://quillette.com/2026/03/06/a-strike-against-beijing-epic-fury-iran-china-trump/ #Geopolitics #China #Iran #Taiwan #MiddleEast

Check out Quillette's latest video, Operation Epic Fury: The Hidden Target Behind US-Israeli Strikes on Iran

A New World Order in the Making An interview with Dr Shmuel Bar.

An interview with Dr Shmuel Bar.

Podcast #328: The Extraordinary Exploits of Agent Zo Iona Italia talks to historian Clare Mulley about her biography of Polish war heroine Elżbieta Zawacka, aka Agent Zo.

Iona Italia talks to historian Clare Mulley about her biography of Polish war heroine Elżbieta Zawacka, aka Agent Zo.

Iran’s Secular Surprise: Kaveh Sharooz How can a religious theocracy rule over a society that’s increasingly secular? In this clip, Kaveh Shahrooz explains the surprising reality of modern Iranian society. ▶️ Watch the full conversation — https://quillette.com/2026/03/06/will-post-islamist-iran-get-a-royal-restoration/ Follow @quillette for more interviews with leading thinkers. #iran #iranianpeople #iranpolitics #secularism #religionandpolitics #middleeastculture #geopolitics #irananalysis #globalpolitics #middleeastanalysis #politicaldiscussion #worldaffairs #politicsreels #educationreels #quillette Quillette is an Australian-based online magazine that focuses on long-form analysis and cultural commentary. It is politically non-partisan, but relies on reason, science, and humanism as its guiding values. Quillette was founded in 2015 by Australian writer Claire Lehmann. It is a platform for free thought and a space for open discussion and debate on a wide range of topics, including politics, culture, science, and technology. Quillette has gained attention for publishing articles and essays that challenge modern orthodoxy on a variety of topics, including gender and sexuality, race and identity politics, and free speech and censorship. --- Quillette's revenue comes from our readers. We are a grassroots organisation that relies on voluntary subscriptions and community membership as our primary revenue stream. Support Quillette by becoming a subscriber: https://quillette.com/#/portal/signup Or donate send us a one-off tip: https://quillette.com/#/portal/support We made our website using Ghost, a powerful app for new-media creators to publish, share, and grow a business around their content. It comes with modern tools to build a website, publish content, send newsletters & offer paid subscriptions to members. Try it here: https://ghost.org/?via=claire91

Check out Quillette's latest video, Iran’s Secular Surprise: Kaveh Sharooz

The Most Fearless Woman of WWII | Clare Mulley on Elżbieta Zawacka During the Second World War, Elżbieta Zawacka—known to her comrades as Zo—became one of the most remarkable resistance fighters in Europe. A courier for the Polish underground who crossed enemy borders more than a hundred times, Zo smuggled intelligence into the heart of Nazi Germany, travelled nearly a thousand miles across occupied Europe to reach London, and later became the only woman parachuted back into Poland as part of the elite special forces unit known as the “Silent Unseen.” In this episode of the Quillette Podcast, historian Clare Mulley discusses Zo’s extraordinary life, the crucial role of women in the Polish resistance, and the little-known story of Poland’s wartime struggle against both Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union. The conversation explores: The underground Polish state and resistance networks Women’s roles in clandestine warfare The Warsaw Uprising and its devastating aftermath Soviet betrayal of Poland at the end of the war The extraordinary courage of resistance fighters across Europe Mulley’s biography of Zo reveals not only an incredible individual story but also a much broader history of courage, sacrifice, and resilience that is often overlooked in Western accounts of the Second World War. Buy her book here: https://amzn.to/4thRxtI 00:00 Introduction to an Extraordinary Life 03:38 The Journey of Research and Discovery 07:53 The Role of Women in the Polish Resistance 10:54 Zo's Lifelong Fight for Recognition 14:02 Teaching and Empowering in Adversity 17:24 The Complexities of Gender Roles in War 20:24 The Unique Polish Experience During WWII 21:18 The Betrayal of Poland in WWII 25:24 The Warsaw Uprising and Soviet Betrayal 32:22 The Atrocities of War: Katyn and Beyond 40:06 Zo's Role in the Resistance 44:41 The Legacy of Women's Contributions in War ------ Quillette is an Australian-based online magazine that focuses on long-form analysis and cultural commentary. It is politically non-partisan, but relies on reason, science, and humanism as its guiding values. Quillette was founded in 2015 by Australian writer Claire Lehmann. It is a platform for free thought and a space for open discussion and debate on a wide range of topics, including politics, culture, science, and technology. Quillette has gained attention for publishing articles and essays that challenge modern orthodoxy on a variety of topics, including gender and sexuality, race and identity politics, and free speech and censorship. --- Quillette's revenue comes from our readers. We are a grassroots organisation that relies on voluntary subscriptions and community membership as our primary revenue stream. Support Quillette by becoming a subscriber: https://quillette.com/#/portal/signup Or donate send us a one-off tip: https://quillette.com/#/portal/support We made our website using Ghost, a powerful app for new-media creators to publish, share, and grow a business around their content. It comes with modern tools to build a website, publish content, send newsletters & offer paid subscriptions to members. Try it here: https://ghost.org/?via=claire91

Check out Quillette's latest video, The Most Fearless Woman of WWII | Clare Mulley on Elżbieta Zawacka

On Truth and Beauty Why art and science serve different ends.

Why art and science serve different ends.

The “Left Behind” Theory of Populism Is Wrong Quillette is an Australian-based online magazine that focuses on long-form analysis and cultural commentary. It is politically non-partisan, but relies on reason, science, and humanism as its guiding values. Quillette was founded in 2015 by Australian writer Claire Lehmann. It is a platform for free thought and a space for open discussion and debate on a wide range of topics, including politics, culture, science, and technology. Quillette has gained attention for publishing articles and essays that challenge modern orthodoxy on a variety of topics, including gender and sexuality, race and identity politics, and free speech and censorship. --- Quillette's revenue comes from our readers. We are a grassroots organisation that relies on voluntary subscriptions and community membership as our primary revenue stream. Support Quillette by becoming a subscriber: https://quillette.com/#/portal/signup Or donate send us a one-off tip: https://quillette.com/#/portal/support We made our website using Ghost, a powerful app for new-media creators to publish, share, and grow a business around their content. It comes with modern tools to build a website, publish content, send newsletters & offer paid subscriptions to members. Try it here: https://ghost.org/?via=claire91

Check out Quillette's latest video, The “Left Behind” Theory of Populism Is Wrong

How Iran Controls Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis | Claire Lehmann Explains What role does Iran really play in conflicts across the Middle East? In this video, Claire Lehmann examines how the Iranian regime has built a vast network of proxy militias—including Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis—to project power across the region. She argues that Tehran provides funding, weapons, and training to these groups, allowing Iran to influence conflicts while avoiding direct confrontation with its adversaries. Lehmann also explores the broader geopolitical strategy behind this system, including Iran’s financial backing of the Assad regime in Syria and its long-standing support for Hezbollah. According to Lehmann, this network has enabled Iran to extend its influence across the Middle East and beyond. In the second half of the video, Lehmann critiques what she sees as a dominant narrative in parts of the Western left that frames Middle Eastern politics through a simple “oppressed vs oppressor” lens. She argues that this perspective often overlooks the authoritarian nature of Iran’s theocracy, its domestic repression, and its support for militant groups across the region. Lehmann traces some of these misunderstandings back to Western reactions to the 1979 Iranian Revolution, which many left-wing observers initially viewed as a popular uprising against tyranny before it produced a powerful Islamist regime. This discussion explores how ideology, geopolitics, and activism intersect in debates about Iran, Israel, and the broader Middle East. 00:00 Iran’s proxy network: Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis 02:04:00 The Western left’s narrative on Iran and the Middle East ----- Quillette is an Australian-based online magazine that focuses on long-form analysis and cultural commentary. It is politically non-partisan, but relies on reason, science, and humanism as its guiding values. Quillette was founded in 2015 by Australian writer Claire Lehmann. It is a platform for free thought and a space for open discussion and debate on a wide range of topics, including politics, culture, science, and technology. Quillette has gained attention for publishing articles and essays that challenge modern orthodoxy on a variety of topics, including gender and sexuality, race and identity politics, and free speech and censorship. --- Quillette's revenue comes from our readers. We are a grassroots organisation that relies on voluntary subscriptions and community membership as our primary revenue stream. Support Quillette by becoming a subscriber: https://quillette.com/#/portal/signup Or donate send us a one-off tip: https://quillette.com/#/portal/support We made our website using Ghost, a powerful app for new-media creators to publish, share, and grow a business around their content. It comes with modern tools to build a website, publish content, send newsletters & offer paid subscriptions to members. Try it here: https://ghost.org/?via=claire91

Check out Quillette's latest video, How Iran Controls Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis | Claire Lehmann Explains

Iran’s Next Silicon Valley? Kaveh Sharooz Iran has 90 million people, top universities, and a global diaspora full of entrepreneurs. Could it become a technological powerhouse if political conditions changed? In this clip, Kaveh Shahrooz explains Iran’s hidden economic potential. ▶️ Watch the full conversation — https://quillette.com/2026/03/06/will-post-islamist-iran-get-a-royal-restoration/ Follow @quillette for more conversations about ideas shaping the world. #iran #technology #innovation #iranianentrepreneurs #geopolitics #techfuture #globalinnovation #startupculture #middleeasttech #worldeconomy #irananalysis #entrepreneurship #politicsreels #educationreels #quilletteQuillette is an Australian-based online magazine that focuses on long-form analysis and cultural commentary. It is politically non-partisan, but relies on reason, science, and humanism as its guiding values. Quillette was founded in 2015 by Australian writer Claire Lehmann. It is a platform for free thought and a space for open discussion and debate on a wide range of topics, including politics, culture, science, and technology. Quillette has gained attention for publishing articles and essays that challenge modern orthodoxy on a variety of topics, including gender and sexuality, race and identity politics, and free speech and censorship. --- Quillette's revenue comes from our readers. We are a grassroots organisation that relies on voluntary subscriptions and community membership as our primary revenue stream. Support Quillette by becoming a subscriber: https://quillette.com/#/portal/signup Or donate send us a one-off tip: https://quillette.com/#/portal/support We made our website using Ghost, a powerful app for new-media creators to publish, share, and grow a business around their content. It comes with modern tools to build a website, publish content, send newsletters & offer paid subscriptions to members. Try it here: https://ghost.org/?via=claire91

Check out Quillette's latest video, Iran’s Next Silicon Valley? Kaveh Sharooz

Why Populism is Rising in Australia: Immigration and One Nation Surge Australia has long been considered politically stable compared with Europe and the United States. But according to political scientist Eric Kaufmann, that period of “Australian exceptionalism” may be coming to an end.

Australia has long been considered politically stable compared with Europe and the United States. But according to political scientist Eric Kaufmann, that period of “Australian exceptionalism” may be coming to an end.

Why Populism is Rising in Australia: Immigration and One Nation Surge Australia has long been considered politically stable compared with Europe and the United States. But according to political scientist Eric Kaufmann, that period of “Australian exceptionalism” may be coming to an end.

Australia has long been considered politically stable compared with Europe and the United States. But according to political scientist Eric Kaufmann, that period of “Australian exceptionalism” may be coming to an end.

Is Australia Turning Populist? The Rise of One Nation and the Immigration Debate Australia has long been considered politically stable compared with Europe and the United States. But according to political scientist Eric Kaufmann, that period of “Australian exceptionalism” may be coming to an end. In this video, we explore why support for populist politics—particularly for Pauline Hanson’s One Nation—has surged in Australia. Drawing on political research and international comparisons, Kaufmann argues that immigration levels, cultural change, and shifting political values are reshaping electoral politics across the Western world. As immigration has risen across many Western countries, voters increasingly see immigration as a defining political issue. This shift has helped drive the growth of populist movements in Europe, Britain, the United States, and now Australia. Is Australia simply following the same political trajectory seen elsewhere in the West? Or is something uniquely Australian happening? This video is based on the Quillette essay “The End of Australian Exceptionalism” by Eric Kaufmann, published on 26 February 2026: https://quillette.com/2026/02/26/the-end-of-australian-exceptionalism-one-nation-immigration-populist-right/ 🎙️ Read by Zoe Booth 00:00 The End of Australian Exceptionalism 02:03 What Is Populism? 05:26 Immigration and the Rise of Populism 09:35 Political Taboos and Populist Opportunity 12:46 A New Political Divide ----- Quillette is an Australian-based online magazine that focuses on long-form analysis and cultural commentary. It is politically non-partisan, but relies on reason, science, and humanism as its guiding values. Quillette was founded in 2015 by Australian writer Claire Lehmann. It is a platform for free thought and a space for open discussion and debate on a wide range of topics, including politics, culture, science, and technology. Quillette has gained attention for publishing articles and essays that challenge modern orthodoxy on a variety of topics, including gender and sexuality, race and identity politics, and free speech and censorship. --- Quillette's revenue comes from our readers. We are a grassroots organisation that relies on voluntary subscriptions and community membership as our primary revenue stream. Support Quillette by becoming a subscriber: https://quillette.com/#/portal/signup Or donate send us a one-off tip: https://quillette.com/#/portal/support We made our website using Ghost, a powerful app for new-media creators to publish, share, and grow a business around their content. It comes with modern tools to build a website, publish content, send newsletters & offer paid subscriptions to members. Try it here: https://ghost.org/?via=claire91

Check out Quillette's latest video, Is Australia Turning Populist? The Rise of One Nation and the Immigration Debate

Why Europe Still Misreads America Why Germans fear American religion, and what this reveals about Europe.

Why Germans fear American religion, and what this reveals about Europe.

Why Europe Still Misreads America Why Germans fear American religion, and what this reveals about Europe.

Why Germans fear American religion, and what this reveals about Europe.

Kaveh Shahrooz on the Morality vs Legality of Attacking Iran Is it ever justified to attack a regime responsible for repression and violence—even if international law may not allow it? In this clip, the tension between morality and legality in confronting authoritarian regimes is explored. — Kaveh Shahrooz ----- Quillette is an Australian-based online magazine that focuses on long-form analysis and cultural commentary. It is politically non-partisan, but relies on reason, science, and humanism as its guiding values. Quillette was founded in 2015 by Australian writer Claire Lehmann. It is a platform for free thought and a space for open discussion and debate on a wide range of topics, including politics, culture, science, and technology. Quillette has gained attention for publishing articles and essays that challenge modern orthodoxy on a variety of topics, including gender and sexuality, race and identity politics, and free speech and censorship. --- Quillette's revenue comes from our readers. We are a grassroots organisation that relies on voluntary subscriptions and community membership as our primary revenue stream. Support Quillette by becoming a subscriber: https://quillette.com/#/portal/signup Or donate send us a one-off tip: https://quillette.com/#/portal/support We made our website using Ghost, a powerful app for new-media creators to publish, share, and grow a business around their content. It comes with modern tools to build a website, publish content, send newsletters & offer paid subscriptions to members. Try it here: https://ghost.org/?via=claire91

Check out Quillette's latest video, Kaveh Shahrooz on the Morality vs Legality of Attacking Iran

Iran’s Strategic Depth Collapse: Kaveh Shahrooz For decades, Iran tried to project power across the Middle East through proxy groups and regional alliances. But that strategy may now be rapidly collapsing. In this clip, Kaveh Shahrooz explains how Iran’s regional influence is being reshaped. #iran #middleeast #geopolitics #iranforeignpolicy #hezbollah #middleeastconflict #worldpolitics #foreignpolicyanalysis #politicalstrategy #middleeastnews #globalconflict #irananalysis #politicsreels #educationreels #quillette Quillette is an Australian-based online magazine that focuses on long-form analysis and cultural commentary. It is politically non-partisan, but relies on reason, science, and humanism as its guiding values. Quillette was founded in 2015 by Australian writer Claire Lehmann. It is a platform for free thought and a space for open discussion and debate on a wide range of topics, including politics, culture, science, and technology. Quillette has gained attention for publishing articles and essays that challenge modern orthodoxy on a variety of topics, including gender and sexuality, race and identity politics, and free speech and censorship. --- Quillette's revenue comes from our readers. We are a grassroots organisation that relies on voluntary subscriptions and community membership as our primary revenue stream. Support Quillette by becoming a subscriber: https://quillette.com/#/portal/signup Or donate send us a one-off tip: https://quillette.com/#/portal/support We made our website using Ghost, a powerful app for new-media creators to publish, share, and grow a business around their content. It comes with modern tools to build a website, publish content, send newsletters & offer paid subscriptions to members. Try it here: https://ghost.org/?via=claire91

Check out Quillette's latest video, Iran’s Strategic Depth Collapse: Kaveh Shahrooz

Dan Schueftan on Gaza, Iran & the Future of Israel Israel faces not a solvable conflict but a permanent condition—one requiring deterrence, “violent maintenance,” and historic patience—while confronting both regional enemies and a cultural battle in the West.

Israel faces not a solvable conflict but a permanent condition—one requiring deterrence, “violent maintenance,” and historic patience—while confronting both regional enemies and a cultural battle in the West.

The Soft Disinformation Contagion How we learned to reason poorly with accurate data.

How we learned to reason poorly with accurate data.

The United Nations Is Going Broke Too often, the UN’s valuable field work is overshadowed by cynical political posturing. As a result, collecting annual dues from member states has become more difficult.

Too often, the UN’s valuable field work is overshadowed by cynical political posturing. As a result, collecting annual dues from member states has become more difficult.

Jewish Life in America Is “One Generation Away” From Over — Dan Schueftan In this clip, Israeli political scientist Professor Dan Schueftan discusses the future of Jewish communities outside Israel and the pressures facing Jewish identity in the United States. Speaking with Pamela Paresky, Schueftan argues that assimilation, declining birth rates, and political pressures are accelerating the erosion of Jewish communal life in the West. Watch the full interview for a deeper discussion on Israel, antisemitism, and the future of Jewish communities worldwide. #Shorts #JewishHistory #Israel #Antisemitism #Geopolitics #Quillette ---- is an Australian-based online magazine that focuses on long-form analysis and cultural commentary. It is politically non-partisan, but relies on reason, science, and humanism as its guiding values. Quillette was founded in 2015 by Australian writer Claire Lehmann. It is a platform for free thought and a space for open discussion and debate on a wide range of topics, including politics, culture, science, and technology. Quillette has gained attention for publishing articles and essays that challenge modern orthodoxy on a variety of topics, including gender and sexuality, race and identity politics, and free speech and censorship. --- Quillette's revenue comes from our readers. We are a grassroots organisation that relies on voluntary subscriptions and community membership as our primary revenue stream. Support Quillette by becoming a subscriber: https://quillette.com/#/portal/signup Or donate send us a one-off tip: https://quillette.com/#/portal/support We made our website using Ghost, a powerful app for new-media creators to publish, share, and grow a business around their content. It comes with modern tools to build a website, publish content, send newsletters & offer paid subscriptions to members. Try it here: https://ghost.org/?via=claire91

Check out Quillette's latest video, Jewish Life in America Is “One Generation Away” From Over — Dan Schueftan

Marxist Islamism in Iran #KavehShahrooz Iran’s 1979 revolution began with an unlikely alliance: Marxists and Islamists working together to overthrow the Shah. But that coalition didn’t last long. In this clip, Kaveh Shahrooz explains how that alliance formed—and how it collapsed. ▶️ Watch the full interview — link in bio Follow @quillette for more conversations about politics, history, and ideas. #iranrevolution #iran1979 #middleeasthistory #iranpolitics #geopolitics #worldhistory #politicalhistory #historyreels #globalpolitics #middleeaststudies #historyexplained #politicsdiscussion #politicalanalysis #educationreels #quillette Quillette is an Australian-based online magazine that focuses on long-form analysis and cultural commentary. It is politically non-partisan, but relies on reason, science, and humanism as its guiding values. Quillette was founded in 2015 by Australian writer Claire Lehmann. It is a platform for free thought and a space for open discussion and debate on a wide range of topics, including politics, culture, science, and technology. Quillette has gained attention for publishing articles and essays that challenge modern orthodoxy on a variety of topics, including gender and sexuality, race and identity politics, and free speech and censorship. --- Quillette's revenue comes from our readers. We are a grassroots organisation that relies on voluntary subscriptions and community membership as our primary revenue stream. Support Quillette by becoming a subscriber: https://quillette.com/#/portal/signup Or donate send us a one-off tip: https://quillette.com/#/portal/support We made our website using Ghost, a powerful app for new-media creators to publish, share, and grow a business around their content. It comes with modern tools to build a website, publish content, send newsletters & offer paid subscriptions to members. Try it here: https://ghost.org/?via=claire91

Check out Quillette's latest video, Marxist Islamism in Iran #KavehShahrooz

Gaza: No Solution In Sight, Says Dan Schueftan Quillette is an Australian-based online magazine that focuses on long-form analysis and cultural commentary. It is politically non-partisan, but relies on reason, science, and humanism as its guiding values. Quillette was founded in 2015 by Australian writer Claire Lehmann. It is a platform for free thought and a space for open discussion and debate on a wide range of topics, including politics, culture, science, and technology. Quillette has gained attention for publishing articles and essays that challenge modern orthodoxy on a variety of topics, including gender and sexuality, race and identity politics, and free speech and censorship. --- Quillette's revenue comes from our readers. We are a grassroots organisation that relies on voluntary subscriptions and community membership as our primary revenue stream. Support Quillette by becoming a subscriber: https://quillette.com/#/portal/signup Or donate send us a one-off tip: https://quillette.com/#/portal/support We made our website using Ghost, a powerful app for new-media creators to publish, share, and grow a business around their content. It comes with modern tools to build a website, publish content, send newsletters & offer paid subscriptions to members. Try it here: https://ghost.org/?via=claire91

Check out Quillette's latest video, Gaza: No Solution In Sight, Says Dan Schueftan

Iran’s Risky Gamble The war with Iran is reshaping the entire Middle East from the Gulf States to Lebanon with surprising speed.

The war with Iran is reshaping the entire Middle East from the Gulf States to Lebanon with surprising speed.

Iran After the Regime: Kaveh Shahrooz on Revolution, Democracy, and the Diaspora In this conversation, Kaveh Shahrooz explores the complex political dynamics shaping the future of Iran. The discussion examines the internal structure of the Islamic Republic, the growing pressures facing the regime, and the possibilities for political transformation. Shahrooz discusses the role of Iran’s diaspora, the influence of historical nostalgia for pre-revolutionary Iran, and the challenges of building a democratic movement capable of replacing the current system. He also examines the importance of ethnic minorities, opposition networks, and shifting public attitudes inside Iran. As debates about regime change, reform, and revolution intensify, this conversation offers a deeper look at the forces that could determine Iran’s political future. Topics include: • The stability of Iran’s ruling system  • The potential for regime change or democratic transition  • The role of the Iranian diaspora in shaping politics  • Historical memory and nostalgia for pre-1979 Iran  • Ethnic minorities and internal political dynamics Twitter - https://twitter.com/KSharoos X - https://x.com/KSharoos Chapters 00:00 Understanding the Iranian Diaspora’s Perspective 04:30 Polling and Public Sentiment in Iran 06:15 Generational Divide: Youth vs. Older Supporters 07:56 Cultural Symbols and the Role of Women 09:34 The Young Enforcers of the Regime 11:25 Corruption and Economic Struggles in Iran 13:46 The Monarchy’s Resurgence: Nostalgia and Political Legitimacy 16:29 Reza Pahlavi: A Controversial Figure 20:08 Coalition Politics and the Future of Iran 22:22 Ethnic Minorities and the Question of Federalism 25:36 Reflections on 1979 and Liberalism 29:28 The Dynamics of Power and Succession in Iran 33:53 Iran’s Regional Relationships and Strategic Depth 38:06 The Shiite-Sunni Divide: Relevance in Modern Geopolitics 42:20 Moral Dilemmas in International Law and Foreign Policy 45:59 Future Prospects for Iran: Opportunities and Challenges Quillette is an Australian-based online magazine that focuses on long-form analysis and cultural commentary. It is politically non-partisan, but relies on reason, science, and humanism as its guiding values. Quillette was founded in 2015 by Australian writer Claire Lehmann. It is a platform for free thought and a space for open discussion and debate on a wide range of topics, including politics, culture, science, and technology. Quillette has gained attention for publishing articles and essays that challenge modern orthodoxy on a variety of topics, including gender and sexuality, race and identity politics, and free speech and censorship. --- Quillette's revenue comes from our readers. We are a grassroots organisation that relies on voluntary subscriptions and community membership as our primary revenue stream. Support Quillette by becoming a subscriber: https://quillette.com/#/portal/signup Or donate send us a one-off tip: https://quillette.com/#/portal/support We made our website using Ghost, a powerful app for new-media creators to publish, share, and grow a business around their content. It comes with modern tools to build a website, publish content, send newsletters & offer paid subscriptions to members. Try it here: https://ghost.org/?via=claire91

Check out Quillette's latest video, Iran After the Regime: Kaveh Shahrooz on Revolution, Democracy, and the Diaspora

Out on the Wily, Windy Moors... Emerald Fennell’s misbegotten adaptation of ‘Wuthering Heights’ destroys the very structure of Emily Brontë’s classic story.

Emerald Fennell’s misbegotten adaptation of ‘Wuthering Heights’ destroys the very structure of Emily Brontë’s classic story.

Letters to the Editor Friday 27 February – Friday 6 March

Friday 27 February – Friday 6 March

Musk Is Enticed by the Lunar Siren Elon Musk should remain focused on Mars; diverting to the Moon would be a mistake.

Elon Musk should remain focused on Mars; diverting to the Moon would be a mistake.

The Iranian Regime Is the Real Problem | Dan Schueftan In this conversation with Pamela Paresky, Israeli strategist Professor Dan Schueftan discusses the future of Iran, the Iranian regime, and the balance of power in the Middle East. Schueftan argues that Iran remains the most important strategic challenge in the region. While recent military and economic pressure has weakened the regime, he warns that a weak nuclear agreement could repeat the mistakes made with North Korea—allowing a hostile regime to buy time while maintaining its power. He also draws a sharp distinction between the Iranian people and the regime that governs them, arguing that Iran’s population could become one of the most important partners of the West if the current regime were to fall. Topics discussed include: • The future of the Iranian regime • Iran’s nuclear program and the risks of a weak deal • Lessons from North Korea • Economic and military pressure on Iran • Iran’s role in the Middle East power struggle Watch the full conversation to understand how Iran fits into the wider geopolitical picture shaping the region today. ---- Quillette is an Australian-based online magazine that focuses on long-form analysis and cultural commentary. It is politically non-partisan, but relies on reason, science, and humanism as its guiding values. Quillette was founded in 2015 by Australian writer Claire Lehmann. It is a platform for free thought and a space for open discussion and debate on a wide range of topics, including politics, culture, science, and technology. Quillette has gained attention for publishing articles and essays that challenge modern orthodoxy on a variety of topics, including gender and sexuality, race and identity politics, and free speech and censorship. --- Quillette's revenue comes from our readers. We are a grassroots organisation that relies on voluntary subscriptions and community membership as our primary revenue stream. Support Quillette by becoming a subscriber: https://quillette.com/#/portal/signup Or donate send us a one-off tip: https://quillette.com/#/portal/support We made our website using Ghost, a powerful app for new-media creators to publish, share, and grow a business around their content. It comes with modern tools to build a website, publish content, send newsletters & offer paid subscriptions to members. Try it here: https://ghost.org/?via=claire91

Check out Quillette's latest video, The Iranian Regime Is the Real Problem | Dan Schueftan

Dan Schueftan on Antizionist Jews: “Every Oompa Loompa can have Oompaloompastan" Quillette is an Australian-based online magazine that focuses on long-form analysis and cultural commentary. It is politically non-partisan, but relies on reason, science, and humanism as its guiding values. Quillette was founded in 2015 by Australian writer Claire Lehmann. It is a platform for free thought and a space for open discussion and debate on a wide range of topics, including politics, culture, science, and technology. Quillette has gained attention for publishing articles and essays that challenge modern orthodoxy on a variety of topics, including gender and sexuality, race and identity politics, and free speech and censorship. --- Quillette's revenue comes from our readers. We are a grassroots organisation that relies on voluntary subscriptions and community membership as our primary revenue stream. Support Quillette by becoming a subscriber: https://quillette.com/#/portal/signup Or donate send us a one-off tip: https://quillette.com/#/portal/support We made our website using Ghost, a powerful app for new-media creators to publish, share, and grow a business around their content. It comes with modern tools to build a website, publish content, send newsletters & offer paid subscriptions to members. Try it here: https://ghost.org/?via=claire91

Check out Quillette's latest video, Dan Schueftan on Antizionist Jews: “Every Oompa Loompa can have Oompaloompastan"