The Iranian People between the Violence of the State and the Violence of Empire

February 12, 2026
Fariba Amini
Newark, Del. (Special to Informed Comment; Feature) – Since the brutal repression of the January 8-9 protests in Iran, those of us who live abroad have been numb.  Witnessing an atrocity such as the one that took place is not even comprehensible.

 

Poet Sohrab Sepehri’s statue in Kashan

How the China-Iran strategic partnership really evolves

February 12, 2026
Pepe Escobar
Neo-Caligula continues to bet in what could be defined as The Strategy of the Weaponized Debtor.
We’ve got a thing, and that’s a-called radar love
We’ve got a wave in the air
Radar love
Golden Earring, Radar Love

After weeks of tension, Trump is still talking tough on Iran. Here's what could happen next

February11, 2026
Emma Graham

• Tensions between Iran and the U.S. are high, with both at an impasse after talks last week in Oman.
• Analysts told CNBC a U.S. attack on Iran is unlikely, and that U.S President Donald Trump has no good options when it comes to using force.
• "U.S. forces in the region are not adequate to support a significant long-term military operation in Iran which would be necessary to achieve any major military objective," said one.

In this frame-grab made from video, missiles and air-defense interceptors illuminate the night sky over Doha after Iran launched an attack on US forces at Al Udeid Air Base on June 23, 2025 in Doha, Qatar.