Iran After Khamenei: A Nation Split Between Sorrow and Celebration

The killing of Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in a U.S.–Israeli airstrike has exposed deep divisions within Iranian society. While some mourn the longtime cleric as a symbol of Shiite authority, others have taken to the streets to celebrate the death of a leader many blame for decades of repression and economic hardship. The starkly different reactions reveal a country divided over the future of the Islamic Republic.

Middle EastNolan O'KeefeApril 28, 2026public opinion, regime change, polarization, authoritarianism, state media, foreign intervention, targeted assassination, protest

From War to Governance: The Struggle to Build a New Syrian State

After more than a decade of civil war, the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime in December 2024 marked a historic turning point for Syria. The new transitional government led by Ahmed al-Sharaa faces the immense task of rebuilding authority, stabilizing security, and defining a new political order amid persistent socio-economic and sectarian issues.

Middle EastAllegra VercesiDecember 11, 2025Syria, Bashar al-Assad, civil war, statehood, governance, security, Middle East politics, regime change, reconstruction, arab spring, foreign intervention, legitimacy, diplomacy