Ideas in Print

A woman stands next to Iranian-made Zolfaghar missiles displayed in Azadi Square in Tehran on July 24. Photo by AFP via Getty Images Co-authored with Avideh Motmaen-Far Published by National Post: https://nationalpost.com/opinion/the-logic-of-irans-brinkmanship Iran’s decision to escalate the war last week appears counterintuitive. As Omani mediators sought to preserve a diplomatic opening through a ten-day truce […]

Iran appears ripe for revolt: the economy is broken, society is exhausted, and the regime’s legitimacy is eroding. And yet, the streets remain largely quiet. This article examines the structural, psychological, and political barriers that have so far prevented collapse—and why waiting for spontaneous uprising misunderstands how authoritarian systems actually fall.

The Future of Warfare: National Positions on the Governance of Lethal Autonomous Weapons Systems by Benjamin Perrin, Masoud Zamani | Feb 11, 2025 Lethal autonomous weapons systems (LAWS), such as drones and autonomous missile systems, are no longer a theoretical concern. Indeed, they are finding their way onto the battlefield. Amid growing international concern, States have articulated a range of

Algorithms, Automation and Accountability: Imagining Responsibility for the Crimes of Machines Posted on August 6, 2025 by Mark Kersten The following is a guest post by Masoud Zamani is a lecturer in international law and international relations at the University of British Columbia. His research focuses on the intersection of emerging technologies and international legal accountability. (Image by Tavis Coburn

This essay examines whether “meaningful human control” offers a viable legal and ethical standard for regulating lethal autonomous weapons, or whether it masks deeper structural gaps.

This piece examines how Iran and Israel use force—military strikes, covert operations, and symbolic actions—to signal intent, calibrate escalation, and redefine deterrence in the region.

A Conflict in Suspense: General Close of Military Operations in the Iran-Israel Conflict by Masoud Zamani, Amirabbas Kiani | Nov 13, 2024 In April 2024, hostilities between Israel and the Islamic Republic of Iran intensified significantly, with both sides engaging in direct military operations within each other’s borders. A bombing near the Iranian embassy in Damascus on April 1st triggered this

Dilemmas of Defense: The U.S. Role in the Iran-Israel Conflict by Masoud Zamani, Amirabbas Kiani | Jan 24, 2025 On April 13, 2024, the Islamic Republic of Iran carried out an unprecedented operation, launching hundreds of drones and cruise missiles toward Israel. Reports indicate that Israel intercepted the majority of these drones and missiles with assistance from the United States, Britain, and Jordan.

The Iran–Israel Conflict Through the Lens of Game Theory By Masoud zamani ( Sep 19 , 2025 ) The 12-day war between Israel and Iran may have paused—but the next round of violence is already taking shape. As of writing this piece, the 12-day war has been halted by a fragile ceasefire—one that could collapse at any moment. While

The Ideological Constraints of the Islamic Republic By Masoud zamani ( Dec 6 , 2024 ) As the U.S. prepares for a second Trump administration, the question looms: can Iran’s Islamic Republic ever shift its deeply rooted ideological stance in response to external pressure? While some may hope that renewed ‘maximum pressure’ from Washington could