Iran – Ian Birrell

Putin risks losing another ally but his rule may be boosted

Published by The i paper (24th June, 2025)

Assad’s downfall is cause for celebration

Published by The i paper (9th December, 2024) Thirteen years ago, seven boys sat around in school swigging soft drinks after a game of football while television reports […]

Israel should be wary of repeating the 9/11 mistakes

Published by The i paper (13th October, 2023) When I wrote on Sunday as horrifying details of Hamas atrocities started emerging, my column here was starkly headlined “This is […]

Iran / North Korea / United States / World

Does Donald Trump deserve the Nobel Peace Prize?

Published by The Mail on Sunday (13th May, 2018) When Donald Trump took the presidential oath of office 16 months ago, he promised ‘the hour of action’ had arrived. For […]

Africa / China / Europe / France / Germany / Iran / Lebanon / Nigeria / United States / World

Forget fear and loathing: 15 reasons to celebrate the world in 2015

Published by The Independent (28th December, 2015) Who will mourn the passing of 2015? It seems such a grim year filled with terrible tales of atrocities, extremism and […]

Africa / Arts / Books / Egypt / Iran / Iraq

Dreams, despair and dictators

Published by The Observer (24th August, 2015) Shifting Sands: The Unravelling of the Old Order in the Middle East (Profile) Khaled Fahmy trudged down to Tahrir Square in […]

Aid / Iran / Pakistan / World

Foreign aid millions helped Iran hang 3000 people – including women and children

Published by The Mail on Sunday (14th December, 2014) British aid has assisted the brutal execution of nearly 3,000 people accused of drug smuggling in Iran, according to […]

Africa / Arts / Books / Ethiopia

The giant bought low by tall tales

Published in The Observer (August 19th, 2012) Ryszard Kapuscinski: A Life by Arthur Domolawski (Verso) The tale of Lulu, Haile Selassie’s lap dog that was allowed to piss […]