The brutality of the theocratic Iranian regime towards its own citizens is next level. Thousands of Iranians protesting at the sheer incompetence of their government have been murdered in the streets.
As I write these words, a 26-year-old man, Erfan Soltani, faces death by hanging for taking part in a protest last week. And by the time you read these words he may well be dead.
Iran executes thousands of its citizens each year, mostly by hanging. According to the credible human rights organisation Human Rights Activists News Agency, in 2025 more than 1,900 people were executed — the highest number in more than a decade.
Today, this extremist regime is ramping up the terror against its own citizens even as the noose tightens around its own neck.
Paul Mason, writing this week’s cover article, believes the state is on the verge of civil war, driven by a young demographic of urbanite Iranians who can no longer tolerate the “thought control, economic backwardness and corruption” of the ayatollahs.
This is not, as many Western commentators insist, a geopolitical struggle. It’s a struggle of a people in despair — an oppressed population against an insane, self-serving, repressive regime.
Paul’s article looks beyond the current catastrophe to a time when Iran can be reintegrated into the world and its people enjoy the freedom they are prepared to die for.
Also this week:
Tom Baldwin rips into the Lobby — the group of journalists covering Westminster: “Their sense of entitlement and outrage is rooted in the notion that they speak, without fear or favour, truth to power … this is nonsense.” It’s a savage, instructive critique of British journalism and the inner workings of the media.
Alastair Campbell meets the woman he believes just may be the smartest leader in Europe right now — Moldova’s Maia Sandu. Alastair’s diary this week is full of erudition — not least geographically. Come on now, be honest … could you put a pin on the map of Europe and hit Moldova? After reading AC’s diary you will be very well informed on this extraordinary nation state and its impressive leader.
Nina Jul Larsen, a journalist (and bookstore owner!) in Ilulissat, Greenland, describes how it felt to be in the eye of a genuine geopolitical storm — as one of 55,000 Greenlanders wondering what the immediate future holds.
Marie Le Conte reports from the bizarre court case in Paris where ten French nutcases have been convicted of harassing First Lady Brigitte Macron by insisting she is, in fact, a man named Jean-Michel Trogneux.
Matthew d’Ancona analyses Trump’s opening 2026 fortnight: “Think of a cross between a Mafia meeting of the Five Families and a television series writers’ room,” Matthew writes. “Trump thrives on plot twists, pace, suspense, drama, action, jump scares, cliff-hangers.”
James Ball investigates British government links to Palantir — the (deliberately) sinister company founded by MAGA mentalist Peter Thiel, now at the heart of some of the UK’s most data-sensitive government contracts.
Sadie Harper enjoys the forthcoming Samurai exhibition at the British Museum — and discovers its links to the late, great John Belushi. The photographs are simply stunning.
Harry Wallop makes friends with AI … Nigel Warburton uncovers philosophy in prison … John Bleasdale wishes death to the celebrity documentary … Jamie Klinger discovers a genuine digital detox … and John Osborne remembers the great life of Han the Chimp.
Finally, in Matthew d’Ancona’s Culture spread he picks out Hamnet, the Jessie Buckley and Paul Mescal smash-hit movie adaptation of Maggie O’Farrell’s 2020 Agnes Hathaway/William Shakespeare novel. I saw it at the weekend. It’s superb. Go see it.
