Alex Shams
@alexshams.bsky.social
Writer, Anthropologist, Editor @ajammc.bsky.social
Reposted by Alex Shams
For Ajam's latest, Manar Heikal explores the history of her illustrious community - the Iranians of Cairo:
"You won’t find much about them in textbooks. There are no heritage signs, no archives, no plaques.
Our story was something quieter. More intimate."
Read it here:
ajammc.com/2025/09/28/i...
"You won’t find much about them in textbooks. There are no heritage signs, no archives, no plaques.
Our story was something quieter. More intimate."
Read it here:
ajammc.com/2025/09/28/i...
September 29, 2025 at 4:19 PM
For Ajam's latest, Manar Heikal explores the history of her illustrious community - the Iranians of Cairo:
"You won’t find much about them in textbooks. There are no heritage signs, no archives, no plaques.
Our story was something quieter. More intimate."
Read it here:
ajammc.com/2025/09/28/i...
"You won’t find much about them in textbooks. There are no heritage signs, no archives, no plaques.
Our story was something quieter. More intimate."
Read it here:
ajammc.com/2025/09/28/i...
"Ice stupas are cone-shaped glaciers designed to store winter meltwater and release it during the growing season.
They are a practical solution for water scarcity, symbolizing the promise of community-led efforts to combat climate change challenges."
www.theguardian.com/global-devel...
They are a practical solution for water scarcity, symbolizing the promise of community-led efforts to combat climate change challenges."
www.theguardian.com/global-devel...
Ice stupas of the Ladakh desert: an ingenious solution to water scarcity – a picture essay
Farmers in the northern Indian region used to rely on snow and glacier meltwater, but the climate crisis is disrupting the water cycle – which means new ways of storing water are needed
www.theguardian.com
September 26, 2025 at 7:07 PM
"Ice stupas are cone-shaped glaciers designed to store winter meltwater and release it during the growing season.
They are a practical solution for water scarcity, symbolizing the promise of community-led efforts to combat climate change challenges."
www.theguardian.com/global-devel...
They are a practical solution for water scarcity, symbolizing the promise of community-led efforts to combat climate change challenges."
www.theguardian.com/global-devel...
The US crackdown on free speech has gone international
A Mexican congressional aide lost his job for comments about Kirk after pressure from the former US ambassador to Mexico
All to protect the legacy of a "free speech defender"
Absolutely dystopian
A Mexican congressional aide lost his job for comments about Kirk after pressure from the former US ambassador to Mexico
All to protect the legacy of a "free speech defender"
Absolutely dystopian
September 15, 2025 at 6:25 PM
The US crackdown on free speech has gone international
A Mexican congressional aide lost his job for comments about Kirk after pressure from the former US ambassador to Mexico
All to protect the legacy of a "free speech defender"
Absolutely dystopian
A Mexican congressional aide lost his job for comments about Kirk after pressure from the former US ambassador to Mexico
All to protect the legacy of a "free speech defender"
Absolutely dystopian
"A foreign policy organized around punishing and killing our supposedly sworn enemies, diplomacy be damned, conveys the terrible message that we can only kill and maim our way to achieving the world we want to live in."
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/13/o...
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/13/o...
Opinion | I Was Supposed to Debate Charlie Kirk. Here’s What I Would Have Said.
www.nytimes.com
September 13, 2025 at 7:58 PM
"A foreign policy organized around punishing and killing our supposedly sworn enemies, diplomacy be damned, conveys the terrible message that we can only kill and maim our way to achieving the world we want to live in."
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/13/o...
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/13/o...
Shame on everyone who denied this was a genocide
September 12, 2025 at 9:43 PM
Shame on everyone who denied this was a genocide
The Shah's chief torturer was hiding in plain sight in a Florida suburb.
Until 2023, when his daughter posted a picture of him depicting him as a freedom fighter - and ignited a firestorm among Iranians worldwide.
The crazy story of Parviz Sabeti:
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/s...
Until 2023, when his daughter posted a picture of him depicting him as a freedom fighter - and ignited a firestorm among Iranians worldwide.
The crazy story of Parviz Sabeti:
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/s...
After crafting quiet Florida life, Shah of Iran’s alleged ‘chief torturer’ must now face trial
Parviz Sabeti crafted an anonymous new life for his family – but now he faces a $225m lawsuit for atrocities committed in prisons in Tehran and elsewhere
www.theguardian.com
September 12, 2025 at 3:03 PM
The Shah's chief torturer was hiding in plain sight in a Florida suburb.
Until 2023, when his daughter posted a picture of him depicting him as a freedom fighter - and ignited a firestorm among Iranians worldwide.
The crazy story of Parviz Sabeti:
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/s...
Until 2023, when his daughter posted a picture of him depicting him as a freedom fighter - and ignited a firestorm among Iranians worldwide.
The crazy story of Parviz Sabeti:
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/s...
They invited Palestinian negotiators to the bargaining table in Qatar and then assassinated them
This is exactly what they did to Iran - they attacked Tehran while Iranians were negotiating in good faith with the US
Why would anyone ever trust America again?
This is psychopathic stuff
This is exactly what they did to Iran - they attacked Tehran while Iranians were negotiating in good faith with the US
Why would anyone ever trust America again?
This is psychopathic stuff
September 9, 2025 at 7:50 PM
They invited Palestinian negotiators to the bargaining table in Qatar and then assassinated them
This is exactly what they did to Iran - they attacked Tehran while Iranians were negotiating in good faith with the US
Why would anyone ever trust America again?
This is psychopathic stuff
This is exactly what they did to Iran - they attacked Tehran while Iranians were negotiating in good faith with the US
Why would anyone ever trust America again?
This is psychopathic stuff
We're reached the point where Israel now assassinates other countries' prime ministers in broad daylight
That's how far Israel and the US have degraded the most basic norms of international law
That's how far Israel and the US have degraded the most basic norms of international law
September 6, 2025 at 5:15 PM
We're reached the point where Israel now assassinates other countries' prime ministers in broad daylight
That's how far Israel and the US have degraded the most basic norms of international law
That's how far Israel and the US have degraded the most basic norms of international law
Reposted by Alex Shams
“Hardly anything could be more damaging to Iran’s pro-democracy movements than making this unpopular, deposed monarch with ties to Israel and U.S. neocons the face of opposition.”
@alexshams.bsky.social on Reza Pahlavi and regime change ambitions in Iran:
@alexshams.bsky.social on Reza Pahlavi and regime change ambitions in Iran:
Our Man for Tehran - Boston Review
The U.S.- and Israel-backed campaign positioning Reza Pahlavi, son of the Shah, for regime change in Iran.
www.bostonreview.net
September 2, 2025 at 10:00 PM
“Hardly anything could be more damaging to Iran’s pro-democracy movements than making this unpopular, deposed monarch with ties to Israel and U.S. neocons the face of opposition.”
@alexshams.bsky.social on Reza Pahlavi and regime change ambitions in Iran:
@alexshams.bsky.social on Reza Pahlavi and regime change ambitions in Iran:
Reposted by Alex Shams
If you hear about a Mexican Independence Day celebration in your area, go.
There is strength in numbers and — especially if you’re white — you can protect your community just by being there and not flinching if ICE shows up.
These goons are cowards. Don’t be one.
There is strength in numbers and — especially if you’re white — you can protect your community just by being there and not flinching if ICE shows up.
These goons are cowards. Don’t be one.
BREAKING: Gov. JB Pritzker says the Trump administration has sent the Texas National Guard to Great Lakes Naval Base outside Chicago, awaiting orders to deploy to Chicago.
Trump administration officials will target Mexican Independence Day (Sept. 16) celebrations. @wttw.bsky.social
Trump administration officials will target Mexican Independence Day (Sept. 16) celebrations. @wttw.bsky.social
September 2, 2025 at 11:24 PM
If you hear about a Mexican Independence Day celebration in your area, go.
There is strength in numbers and — especially if you’re white — you can protect your community just by being there and not flinching if ICE shows up.
These goons are cowards. Don’t be one.
There is strength in numbers and — especially if you’re white — you can protect your community just by being there and not flinching if ICE shows up.
These goons are cowards. Don’t be one.
DC has been under military occupation for two weeks.
While city officials collaborate with Trump's regime, grassroots organizers are fighting back every night.
How people are resisting Trump's autocracy on the streets of the US capital:
www.thenation.com/article/acti...
While city officials collaborate with Trump's regime, grassroots organizers are fighting back every night.
How people are resisting Trump's autocracy on the streets of the US capital:
www.thenation.com/article/acti...
The DC Night Patrols Are Showing Cities How to Fight Trump’s Occupation
With only their cell phones, medical kits, and the confidence to assert their rights, volunteer night patrols follow and record the armed troops who have taken over the capital.
www.thenation.com
September 2, 2025 at 11:43 PM
DC has been under military occupation for two weeks.
While city officials collaborate with Trump's regime, grassroots organizers are fighting back every night.
How people are resisting Trump's autocracy on the streets of the US capital:
www.thenation.com/article/acti...
While city officials collaborate with Trump's regime, grassroots organizers are fighting back every night.
How people are resisting Trump's autocracy on the streets of the US capital:
www.thenation.com/article/acti...
"Why is there a sudden race to embrace a future where robots replace us all?
The motivation is simple: it means fewer workers to pay (or ideally none!).
It means no conversations about ethics and values (Funding genocide is fine! Racism is fine!)."
chicagomaroon.com/48353/viewpo...
The motivation is simple: it means fewer workers to pay (or ideally none!).
It means no conversations about ethics and values (Funding genocide is fine! Racism is fine!)."
chicagomaroon.com/48353/viewpo...
Lost in Extraterrestrial Translation
The University celebrates the success of area studies alumni, all the while erasing the programs that made those careers possible.
chicagomaroon.com
August 31, 2025 at 3:30 PM
"Why is there a sudden race to embrace a future where robots replace us all?
The motivation is simple: it means fewer workers to pay (or ideally none!).
It means no conversations about ethics and values (Funding genocide is fine! Racism is fine!)."
chicagomaroon.com/48353/viewpo...
The motivation is simple: it means fewer workers to pay (or ideally none!).
It means no conversations about ethics and values (Funding genocide is fine! Racism is fine!)."
chicagomaroon.com/48353/viewpo...
"It’s a familiar story in Israel: a powerful group of cynical actors aggressively seeks to oppress and displace Palestinians; a left-wing minority belatedly emerges to protest in vain; meanwhile, the majority of the population carries on as if nothing is wrong."
www.thedriftmag.com/in-ruins/
www.thedriftmag.com/in-ruins/
In Ruins
Archaeological Warfare in the West Bank
www.thedriftmag.com
August 27, 2025 at 4:11 PM
"It’s a familiar story in Israel: a powerful group of cynical actors aggressively seeks to oppress and displace Palestinians; a left-wing minority belatedly emerges to protest in vain; meanwhile, the majority of the population carries on as if nothing is wrong."
www.thedriftmag.com/in-ruins/
www.thedriftmag.com/in-ruins/
The opposite of hostile architecture:
Brick on a sidewalk that turns into a public bench in Shiraz, Iran
Designed by local architects Sedighe Eskandarpour and Mahsa Saeidizadeh
Brick on a sidewalk that turns into a public bench in Shiraz, Iran
Designed by local architects Sedighe Eskandarpour and Mahsa Saeidizadeh
August 25, 2025 at 7:08 PM
The opposite of hostile architecture:
Brick on a sidewalk that turns into a public bench in Shiraz, Iran
Designed by local architects Sedighe Eskandarpour and Mahsa Saeidizadeh
Brick on a sidewalk that turns into a public bench in Shiraz, Iran
Designed by local architects Sedighe Eskandarpour and Mahsa Saeidizadeh
Reposted by Alex Shams
On the left: Nate Cavanagh, a 28-year-old DOGE staffer and college dropout.
On the right: Mohammad Halimi, a 53-year-old exiled Afghan scholar.
This is the story of how DOGE targeted Halimi on social media.
Then the Taliban took his family. 🧵
On the right: Mohammad Halimi, a 53-year-old exiled Afghan scholar.
This is the story of how DOGE targeted Halimi on social media.
Then the Taliban took his family. 🧵
August 22, 2025 at 11:41 AM
On the left: Nate Cavanagh, a 28-year-old DOGE staffer and college dropout.
On the right: Mohammad Halimi, a 53-year-old exiled Afghan scholar.
This is the story of how DOGE targeted Halimi on social media.
Then the Taliban took his family. 🧵
On the right: Mohammad Halimi, a 53-year-old exiled Afghan scholar.
This is the story of how DOGE targeted Halimi on social media.
Then the Taliban took his family. 🧵
Reposted by Alex Shams
Mohammad Halimi barely escaped Afghanistan in 2021 when the Taliban returned to power — only to later have DOGE, Elon Musk and right-wing media suggest he was a funnel for Taliban funding, putting him and his loved ones at risk.
DOGE Targeted Him on Social Media. Then the Taliban Took His Family.
Afghan scholar Mohammad Halimi, who fled the Taliban in 2021, had worked to help U.S. diplomats understand his homeland. Then DOGE put his family’s lives at risk by exposing his sensitive work for a…
www.propublica.org
August 22, 2025 at 6:53 PM
Mohammad Halimi barely escaped Afghanistan in 2021 when the Taliban returned to power — only to later have DOGE, Elon Musk and right-wing media suggest he was a funnel for Taliban funding, putting him and his loved ones at risk.
Reposted by Alex Shams
While Netanyahu and Trump bombed Iran, dozens of prominent diaspora Iranians welcomed the strikes. Among them was Reza Pahlavi, son of the Shah overthrown in 1979.
@alexshams.bsky.social explains:
@alexshams.bsky.social explains:
Our Man for Tehran - Boston Review
The U.S.- and Israel-backed campaign positioning Reza Pahlavi, son of the Shah, for regime change in Iran.
www.bostonreview.net
August 20, 2025 at 4:01 PM
While Netanyahu and Trump bombed Iran, dozens of prominent diaspora Iranians welcomed the strikes. Among them was Reza Pahlavi, son of the Shah overthrown in 1979.
@alexshams.bsky.social explains:
@alexshams.bsky.social explains:
"Just like the Tehran mobs on the CIA payroll in 1953, propaganda efforts directed by State Department lackies and pro-Israel influencers today create the illusion of popular support in Iran for installation of a monarch by foreign powers."
bostonreview.net/articles/our...
bostonreview.net/articles/our...
Our Man for Tehran - Boston Review
The U.S.- and Israel-backed campaign positioning Reza Pahlavi, son of the Shah, for regime change in Iran.
bostonreview.net
August 19, 2025 at 3:56 PM
"Just like the Tehran mobs on the CIA payroll in 1953, propaganda efforts directed by State Department lackies and pro-Israel influencers today create the illusion of popular support in Iran for installation of a monarch by foreign powers."
bostonreview.net/articles/our...
bostonreview.net/articles/our...
So many beautiful moments in this piece
But I was amazed to learn the story of the Iranian immigrant who fought for the right to dance topless in 1960s San Francisco - and who the US tried to deport back to Iran as punishment!
And how she fought back!
lithub.com/a-record-of-...
But I was amazed to learn the story of the Iranian immigrant who fought for the right to dance topless in 1960s San Francisco - and who the US tried to deport back to Iran as punishment!
And how she fought back!
lithub.com/a-record-of-...
A Record of Vanishings: Neda Maghbouleh on the Stress Response of Seeing Iran Bombed
1 I finally learn how to record my phone screen to save my aunt’s Instagram story before it vanishes. The video opens on her silver Swatch, a date and time stamp: 28 Khordad (June 17, 2025), 12:10 …
lithub.com
August 19, 2025 at 3:55 PM
So many beautiful moments in this piece
But I was amazed to learn the story of the Iranian immigrant who fought for the right to dance topless in 1960s San Francisco - and who the US tried to deport back to Iran as punishment!
And how she fought back!
lithub.com/a-record-of-...
But I was amazed to learn the story of the Iranian immigrant who fought for the right to dance topless in 1960s San Francisco - and who the US tried to deport back to Iran as punishment!
And how she fought back!
lithub.com/a-record-of-...
"National Democrats and centrists have never taken the DC statehood movement seriously.
The price for that will be paid well beyond the district’s borders.”
www.thenation.com/article/poli...
The price for that will be paid well beyond the district’s borders.”
www.thenation.com/article/poli...
The Dangers and Absurdities of Trump’s DC Occupation
Trump compels his followers to endorse obvious lies. It’s accelerating the country’s descent into authoritarianism.
www.thenation.com
August 16, 2025 at 7:50 PM
"National Democrats and centrists have never taken the DC statehood movement seriously.
The price for that will be paid well beyond the district’s borders.”
www.thenation.com/article/poli...
The price for that will be paid well beyond the district’s borders.”
www.thenation.com/article/poli...
"The story of imperial collapse has emerged via the point of view of its greatest victims: the 1 per cent, the most wealthy and powerful merchants, politicians, and priests of the past.
What we need now is a history of collapse for the 99 per cent."
aeon.co/essays/the-g...
What we need now is a history of collapse for the 99 per cent."
aeon.co/essays/the-g...
The great myth of empire collapse | Aeon Essays
Societal downfalls loom large in history and popular culture but, for the 99 per cent, collapse often had its upsides
aeon.co
August 14, 2025 at 11:51 PM
"The story of imperial collapse has emerged via the point of view of its greatest victims: the 1 per cent, the most wealthy and powerful merchants, politicians, and priests of the past.
What we need now is a history of collapse for the 99 per cent."
aeon.co/essays/the-g...
What we need now is a history of collapse for the 99 per cent."
aeon.co/essays/the-g...
As Israel rained death on Iran, Iranians mobilized mutual aid and grassroots solidarity.
I wrote about practices of hope under the bombs:
"Mutual aid offers a way to act collectively and politically, under the radar, and is a practice of imagination."
thepublicsource.org/tehran-solid...
I wrote about practices of hope under the bombs:
"Mutual aid offers a way to act collectively and politically, under the radar, and is a practice of imagination."
thepublicsource.org/tehran-solid...
The Underground Networks that Defied Israel's War on Iran
From bread lines to aid networks, how Iranians resisted Israel's 12 days of bombardment.
thepublicsource.org
August 14, 2025 at 8:14 PM
As Israel rained death on Iran, Iranians mobilized mutual aid and grassroots solidarity.
I wrote about practices of hope under the bombs:
"Mutual aid offers a way to act collectively and politically, under the radar, and is a practice of imagination."
thepublicsource.org/tehran-solid...
I wrote about practices of hope under the bombs:
"Mutual aid offers a way to act collectively and politically, under the radar, and is a practice of imagination."
thepublicsource.org/tehran-solid...
"For 40 years, US drug policy has not reduced the global scale of the illegal networks, but instead driven the traffickers deeper into forests, researchers said.
Two-thirds of key forest habitats for birds in Central America are at risk of being destroyed."
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Two-thirds of key forest habitats for birds in Central America are at risk of being destroyed."
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Rare birds at risk as narco-gangs move into forests to evade capture – report
Cocaine traffickers have put two-thirds of Central America’s key habitats for threatened birds under threat, study finds
www.theguardian.com
August 13, 2025 at 8:00 PM
"For 40 years, US drug policy has not reduced the global scale of the illegal networks, but instead driven the traffickers deeper into forests, researchers said.
Two-thirds of key forest habitats for birds in Central America are at risk of being destroyed."
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Two-thirds of key forest habitats for birds in Central America are at risk of being destroyed."
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Reposted by Alex Shams
What is the most unexpected place where you’ve encountered the Persianate?
We want to hear about it!
The Association for the Study of Persianate Societies and Ajam invite submissions for our new article series: The Unexpected Persianate:
ajammc.com/2025/08/11/c...
We want to hear about it!
The Association for the Study of Persianate Societies and Ajam invite submissions for our new article series: The Unexpected Persianate:
ajammc.com/2025/08/11/c...
Call for Submissions: The Unexpected Persianate - Ajam Media Collective
What is the most unexpected place where you’ve encountered the Persianate? Have you ever noticed a family tradition, neighborhood landmark, a debate, a photograph, a song, or a casual turn of phrase t...
ajammc.com
August 11, 2025 at 5:57 PM
What is the most unexpected place where you’ve encountered the Persianate?
We want to hear about it!
The Association for the Study of Persianate Societies and Ajam invite submissions for our new article series: The Unexpected Persianate:
ajammc.com/2025/08/11/c...
We want to hear about it!
The Association for the Study of Persianate Societies and Ajam invite submissions for our new article series: The Unexpected Persianate:
ajammc.com/2025/08/11/c...
Reposted by Alex Shams
MUST READ by @alexshams_:
"Actual Iranian democrats view Pahlavi as their enemy rather than their champion. But the political interests backing him up have invested billions in giving him the illusion of public support, and he has been happy to go along...>>
www.bostonreview.net/articles/our...
"Actual Iranian democrats view Pahlavi as their enemy rather than their champion. But the political interests backing him up have invested billions in giving him the illusion of public support, and he has been happy to go along...>>
www.bostonreview.net/articles/our...
Our Man for Tehran - Boston Review
The U.S.- and Israel-backed campaign positioning Reza Pahlavi, son of the Shah, for regime change in Iran.
www.bostonreview.net
August 10, 2025 at 12:54 AM
MUST READ by @alexshams_:
"Actual Iranian democrats view Pahlavi as their enemy rather than their champion. But the political interests backing him up have invested billions in giving him the illusion of public support, and he has been happy to go along...>>
www.bostonreview.net/articles/our...
"Actual Iranian democrats view Pahlavi as their enemy rather than their champion. But the political interests backing him up have invested billions in giving him the illusion of public support, and he has been happy to go along...>>
www.bostonreview.net/articles/our...