On Thoughts
A Warm Lobby With No Rooms
On the Gay Male Social World and the Exhaustion of Staying Liked. This world has achieved something rare. It has built a culture where everyone is friendly, no one is accountable, and very little is ever said plainly. The hugs are generous. The compliments are fluent. The warmth is convincing enough that newcomers often mistake it for safety.
The Iran Gambit: America’s Phantom Strategy in the Persian Chessboard
For years, American policy toward Iran has oscillated between containment and confrontation, diplomacy and denial. This article examines the persistent suspicion that Iran’s rise was not merely mismanaged, but quietly tolerated, and asks what happens when a “useful” adversary grows beyond its assigned role.
From the Chatham Islands to Caracas: On Morality, Power, and the World We Pretended to Outgrow
Every political era flatters itself by believing it has solved the problem of power. Each believes it has discovered the institutional arrangement, moral framework, or economic interdependence that will finally tame human aggression. History records these moments carefully, usually just before disproving them.
On Embracing Imperfection: How Therapy is Making Love More Complicated for Everyone
Once upon a time, we simply relied on broad-shrouded terms like "difficult" or "annoying" to describe the more challenging people in our lives. Today, equipped with the intricate vocabulary of psychotherapy, we've adopted a lexicon that includes terms such as "narcissistic," "co-dependent," "avoidant," and "borderline," among others.
Constructing Control: The Contested Role of Architecture in Power and Oppression
Architecture, beyond its aesthetic appeal, holds a controversial role in orchestrating societal control by shaping and sometimes manipulating social dynamics, raising ethical debates about its use as a tool of domination, regulation, and segregation.
On the Shifting Power Dynamics in Lebanese Politics; Turning a New Page.
Lebanon's evolving political dynamics is marked by a shift away from "resistance" rhetoric following significant regional changes. The implications of Hezbollah's diminished influence and the fall of the Assad regime, highlights opportunities for Lebanon to rebuild state institutions and redefine its national identity.
Russian Machinations Unveiled: The Global Chessboard of Geopolitical Influence
Amid escalating global tensions, suspicions arise regarding Russia's role in fomenting chaos, with events like Hamas' assault on Israel coinciding with Vladimir Putin's birthday. While Moscow denies direct involvement, its strategic maneuvering in regions like the Middle East, Caucasus, and Balkans underscores a broader effort to undermine Western unity and assert influence.
Geopolitical Struggles Similarities: Lebanon and Ukraine
Amid escalating global tensions, suspicions arise regarding Russia's role in fomenting chaos, with events like Hamas' assault on Israel coinciding with Vladimir Putin's birthday. While Moscow denies direct involvement, its strategic maneuvering in regions like the Middle East, Caucasus, and Balkans underscores a broader effort to undermine Western unity and assert influence.
On "Piranesi" by Susanna Clarke: Unraveling the Labyrinth of the Mind
At its core, "Piranesi" is a tale of solitude, discovery, and the enigmatic nature of reality. The narrative unfolds within a peculiar world, an expansive labyrinthine structure filled with countless halls, statues, and mysterious waters. The titular character, Piranesi, navigates this surreal landscape with a childlike wonder, meticulously cataloging its intricacies and marvels.
On Comoros: Navigating History, Diversity, and Elections
Examining Comoros: History, Demographics, and Upcoming Elections. Unravel the complex political fabric and diverse identity of the nation, as President Azali Assoumani seeks a fourth term amid accusations of dissent suppression. An insightful journey from historical struggles to the contemporary political crossroads.