Articles by: Soraya Sepahpour-Ulrich

Health Imperialism and Discriminatory International Laws

Health Imperialism and Discriminatory International Laws

“Hypocrisy can afford to be magnificent in its promise, for never intending to go beyond promise costs nothing.” – Edmund Burke  Joe Biden’s statements on resuscitating the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) has also reignited an old debate inside Iran. With the Rouhani administration clearly siding with those pushing for unconditional return to the ‘deal’ signed with the U.S.  and[Read More…]

by 26/12/2020 1 comment World
JCPOA: The Deal That Wasn’t

JCPOA: The Deal That Wasn’t

July 14th, 2020, marks the fifth anniversary of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) Agreement, often referred to as the Iran Nuclear Deal (or simply the Deal) – the Deal that wasn’t.   It was yet another attempt at regime change. Of all the plans to control Iran beginning from Operation Ajax to Operation JCPOA and everything in between, the[Read More…]

by 10/07/2020 Comments are Disabled World
Recognizing and Resisting the Hasbara Pandemic

Recognizing and Resisting the Hasbara Pandemic

Steady media reports on the rising number of the novel Coronavirus infections and its human toll have contributed to a global psychology of fear where entire populations are succumbing their free will to those in positions of authority, elected and otherwise.   But while we try to keep ourselves safe during this pandemic, a deadlier and more destructive virus creeping in[Read More…]

by 27/03/2020 Comments are Disabled World
Iran And The West:  Travelling Back in Time

Iran And The West:  Travelling Back in Time

This article was written 10 years ago.  Nothing has changed! It appears President Trump is fond of time travel.  In his July 4th speech he talked about taking over airports in America in 1775.  There was no air travel in 1775.  Facts don’t matter.   Except this time, travelling back in time in our Iran dealings has very dangerous and unforeseen[Read More…]

by 09/07/2019 Comments are Disabled World
Pompeo’s Tanker Narrative

Pompeo’s Tanker Narrative

“I was the CIA director. We lied, We Cheated, We Stole”.  – Mike Pompeo It appears that Mike Pompeo has a hard time kicking his old habits.  He appears to be as smug about lying as a CIA operative as he is as Secretary of State.  Categorically blaming the Iranians for the recent oil attack tankers has left allies scratching[Read More…]

by 16/06/2019 Comments are Disabled World
Trump’s Iran Gambit Won’t Pay Off

Trump’s Iran Gambit Won’t Pay Off

It is as clear as day that President Trump is obsessed with regime change in Iran.  What is not made clear is how much his gambit is damaging to Americans and American interests. Without cause or justification, Mr. Trump  pulled out of the Joint Comprehensive Plan Of Action (JCPOA), striking a hard blow to America’s European allies – and its[Read More…]

by 30/06/2018 1 comment Imperialism
 Trump’s Doomsday Jerusalem Speech

 Trump’s Doomsday Jerusalem Speech

In 1995, a few short years after the official end of the Cold War when hope-filled nations were focusing on peace and prosperity, the United States Congress unanimously passed the “Jerusalem Embassy Act” into law.   The law recognized “Jerusalem” as the official capital of Israel. The passage of this law was left unnoticed by most.  Few objected to a law[Read More…]

by 12/12/2017 1 comment World
Egyptian First Deputy Prime Minister Vice and Minister of Defense, General Abdel Fattah al-Sisi sits in the Defense Ministry in Cairo, Egypt, 01 August 2013. Westerwelle is holding political talks with representatives from the government and the opposition. Photo by: Michael Kappeler/picture-alliance/dpa/AP Images

El-Sisi: Egypt’s Antihero And The Broader Regional Implications

“You can’t make war in the Middle East without Egypt and  you can’t make peace without Syria.”   –   Henry Kissinger In Egyptian mythology, gods were considered heroes.  In more modern times, it is men who are the heroes.   Without a doubt, General Gamal Abdul Nasser has secured his legacy as a hero – a revolutionary who fought for Egypt and[Read More…]

by 28/06/2017 1 comment World
Trump: Trumpeting For A War On Iran?

Trump: Trumpeting For A War On Iran?

The Trump Administration’s rhetoric and actions have alarmed the world. The protests in response to his visa ban have overshadowed and distracted from a darker threat: war with Iran. Is the fear of the threat greater than the threat itself? The answer is not clear. Certainly Americans and non-Americans who took comfort in the fact that we would have a[Read More…]

by 06/02/2017 1 comment Imperialism
Can We Make Sense Of Trump?

Can We Make Sense Of Trump?

A month has passed since Donald Trump was declared president-elect soon to be the 45th president of the United States.    Since his win, pundits, analysts, and experts continue to debate the victory – a surprise to most.   While the reason/s for this victory depend on one’s perspective, most agree on one thing: Trump is unpredictable. But is he really? There[Read More…]

by 16/12/2016 1 comment World
Militarization And Police Violence

Militarization And Police Violence

Hardly a day goes by without news of a police killing.  And each time we hear from scholars and observers that the police is too militarized.   No doubt! In 2014, I was flattered to have been approached by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) Shasta Chapter to be their keynote speaker to address Government Secrecy, Drones, and Militarization.  After each[Read More…]

by 12/07/2016 Comments are Disabled Human Rights