Comment: The love-fest between the Russian and Iranian leaders is based on dual cults of personality which echo the tsars and dynasties of old, writes Majid Mohammadi.
Comment: Despite being the target of an international military coalition, and being subjected to attacks from several groups in Iraq and Syria, IS remains resilient. Why?
Comment: Iran's supreme leader appears intent on a culture war to undermine Western influences - and there is no shortage of sycophants to support him, writes Majid Mohammadi.
Comment: Pride, nostalgia, anti-Arab and anti-Israeli hostility - mixed with revolutionary ambition - account for the scarcity of dissenting voices, writes Majid Mohammadi.
Comment: Tehran is building a false parallel movement of trade unions and cultural societies in order to undermine genuine grassroots activism, writes Majid Mohammadi.
Comment: Splits over monetary policy threaten to undermine the president's talk of potential economic gains in the wake of the nuclear deal, writes Majid Mohammadi.
Comment: The fight against graft seems to be unwinnable due to its structural nature and institutional unwillingness to tackle corruption, writes Majid Mohammadi.
Comment: Iran announced three days of mourning, but it is important to draw the line between geopolitical motives and humanitarian responses, says Majid Mohammadi.
