Fortifications of the Pre-Modern Islamic World: Shadiyakh, Nishapur (Khurasan, Iran)

Nishapur has the dubious distinction of being ruined frequently by earthquakes and invaders. It was home to Omar Khayyam and Farid al-Din Attar, and devastated in AH 618/AD 1221 by the Mongol army commanded by Tolui, Chingiz Khan’s son. An overview of the fortifications of Nishapur; and excavation at Shadiyakh palace, HQ of Abdallah b. Tahir, Khurasan’s Abbasid governor

Fortifications of the Pre-Modern Islamic World: Introduction

Introduction to a series on fortifications of the Islamic east, and the changing character of war. In this first post, a brief look at the layout of Fort Juwayn, Khurasan (a province split between Iran and Afghanistan), as it stood in 1884

Professor Putin’s History Lecture

Putin’s interview served to convey Russia’s message past gate-keeper media to millions of viewers in the Global South: Asia, Africa, and Latin America. It is less important to the Kremlin what Westerners and ‘Westoxified’ non-whites think of why Russia was compelled to wage war in Ukraine. What matters is shaping the views of people of color; how they perceive Russian policies, and understand why Russia was compelled by NATO to wage war in Ukraine.

A Russian Proxy War in the Middle East?

An agreement between Iran and Russia is being finalized. The Kremlin is chafing at U.S. support for Ukraine. Russia is likely to support Iran in a ‘proxy war’ in the Middle East. A Russian think-tank said, for payback, Russia may support a ‘hybrid war far from its own borders.’

IRGC and Shiʿa Militias in Iraq, Syria, and Lebanon: ‘Why We Fight’

The essay examines the four stages of developments in the Middle East that gave rise to Shiʿa militias in Lebanon Iraq, and Syria, with support from Iran; and their ultimate goal, as expressed by Sayyid Nasrallah of Hezbollah in his famous ‘T’ hand signal (see image), which indicates that ‘Americans can leave the Mideast vertically, leave horizontally.’

U.S. Airstrikes in Iraq & Syria

What is the endgame for the U.S. in striking ‘Iran-backed’ Shiʿa militias in Iraq and Syria? Some 85 ‘targets’ were struck 2/3 February 2024 (around midnight, Syria/Iraq time). The strikes are a response to the 29 January 2024 drone strike in Area 55—the 55 km2 area in Syria that adjoins Iraq and Jordan. Area 55 … Continue reading U.S. Airstrikes in Iraq & Syria →

Saintly Infrastructures of Medieval Islam: The Shrine at Torbat-e Jam

The importance of Christian monasteries to the socio-economic no less than the religious life of medieval Europe has long been recognized. Far less well-known is the comparable role of Muslim shrine complexes in providing a socio-economic infrastructure for their surrounding communities. This was especially the case in the eastern Islamic lands comprising what is today … Continue reading Saintly Infrastructures of Medieval Islam: The Shrine at Torbat-e Jam →