I watched The Last Persian Shah on Curiosity Stream. Despite a massive push for reforms and modernity, Raza Pehlvi fell because his regime was repressive. The fall of Assad has a stark lesson for the Iranian leadership, a lesson that the autocracy, alas, may not heed. #Syria #Iran

To my Chandigarh Tri-city-based friends: Today, I will participate in a panel discussion at the Military Literature Festival at Lake Sports Complex, Sector 1.

The fall of #Aleppo drags Russia into a new conflict to defend its #Syrian friends at a time when it needs all attention on the Ukraine war. It will be interesting to see how this plays out.

There is never a dull month in the Middle East. Syrian rebels have made a startling advance to the outskirts of Aleppo, posing the first armed challenge since 2016 to Bashar al-Assad, attracting retaliatory action by Syria and Russia. Another potential conflict for the new US President to 'resolve'.

@ksadjadpour.bsky.social I enjoyed reading your superb take (The New Battle for the Middle East: Saudi Arabia and Iran’s Clash of Visions) on how Saudi Arabia and Iran's internal equilibrium casts a shadow on the entire Middle East.

Choose 20 books that have stayed with you or influenced you. One book per day for 20 days, in no particular order. No explanations, no reviews, just covers.
Day 2
#BookSky

#BookChallenge

On a sombre note - I have been reading Ken Gormley's sprawling account of Ken Starr's Republican-induced obsession with bringing down Clinton (who did no favours to himself with his conduct). The story is a stark reminder of the brazenly amoral and self-serving politics enveloping the world. 💙📚 📚💙

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Choose 20 books that have stayed with you or influenced you. One book per day for 20 days, in no particular order. No explanations, no reviews, just covers.
Day 1
#BookSky #BookChallenge

@karolinahird.bsky.social followed you per your suggestion. Now please be my first follower :)