Pen and Paper

  "We Will Never Compromise": Iran’s Supreme Leader Reinforces Stance Against Israel Introduction In a bold and uncompromising statement that is likely to inflame tensions in an already volatile region, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has reiterated his hardline stance against Israel. Speaking at a high-level political and religious gathering in Tehran, Khamenei declared that “we will never compromise” with the state of Israel, doubling down on decades of enmity and ideological opposition between the two nations. This statement comes at a time of heightened instability in the Middle East, where proxy conflicts, nuclear negotiations, and shifting alliances are reshaping geopolitical dynamics. A History of Hostility Iran and Israel have had no diplomatic relations since the 1979 Iranian Revolution, which brought Khamenei’s predecessor, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, to power. The Islamic Republic has consistently refused to recognize the state of Israel, re...

  Trump’s Hardline Diplomacy: His Views on the Israel-Iran War 📰 Background & Timeline Escalation begins (mid-June 2025): Israel launched strikes on Iranian nuclear and military sites, including targeted airstrikes deep inside Iran, resulting in hundreds of casualties and damaged infrastructure . Tehran retaliated with missile strikes on Israel, prompting regional alarm. Trump steps in: Former President Trump asserted that Israel’s offensives were “excellent” and “very successful,” warning Iran to “make a deal … or face even more brutal military action”. 🗣️ A Diplomat or Hawk? Trump’s Dual Stance 1. Push for Diplomacy — with a deadline Iran deal revival: Trump has repeatedly endorsed reviving a nuclear deal with Iran—if and only if it ceases uranium enrichment, halts proxy warfare (e.g. Hamas, Hezbollah, Houthis), and fully verifiably dismantles its weapons ambitions.  Talks in Oman: He announced “direct” U.S.–Iran nuclear discussions, scheduled in...

 Global and Geopolitical Unrest: A World on Edge – June 17, 2025 The world’s geopolitical landscape is shifting rapidly, and today marks yet another turning point. With tensions escalating in the Middle East and global leaders reacting swiftly, international stability hangs in the balance.  🚨 Middle East Tensions Reach Boiling Point In a bold and alarming development, Israeli airstrikes reportedly hit Tehran , targeting key infrastructure, including Iran's state television headquarters. This follows weeks of rising hostility between Israel and Iran. Former U.S. President Donald Trump escalated the rhetoric further, calling for “ everyone to immediately evacuate Tehran” in a social media post. While not an official U.S. policy statement, it sent shockwaves through global diplomatic and civilian circles. Adding to the urgency, Israel officially warned 300,000 residents in Tehran to evacuate, signaling a potential expansion of military operations.  🧭 G7 Diplomacy Under...

  🧠 Hamlet Through the Lens of Psychoanalytic Theory ⚡ 1. The Oedipus Complex Sigmund Freud’s most famous application of psychoanalysis to literature is his interpretation of Hamlet through the Oedipus complex —a child's unconscious sexual desire for the opposite-sex parent and jealousy toward the same-sex parent. Freud’s Argument : Hamlet harbors unconscious desires for his mother, Queen Gertrude . His disgust toward Claudius , who has married Gertrude, is fueled by repressed jealousy —Claudius has done what Hamlet secretly wished to do. Thus, Hamlet’s inability to act (i.e., kill Claudius) stems from repressed guilt —Claudius has fulfilled Hamlet’s own forbidden wish. Freud argued: "The loathing which should drive him to revenge is replaced in him by self-reproaches, by scruples of conscience..." 🧩 2. Repression and the Unconscious Hamlet’s character is haunted by inner conflict —his thoughts, dreams, and madness (real or feigned) are cons...

   🇮🇱⚔️🇮🇷 The Israel–Iran War of 2025: Full Analysis of a Historic Conflict Introduction In June 2025, the longstanding shadow war between Israel and Iran erupted into open, direct military conflict for the first time in modern history. What began as decades of proxy battles in Syria, Iraq, and Lebanon has now become a full-scale war involving missiles, drones, airstrikes, and cyberattacks—causing widespread regional and global alarm. This blog takes an in-depth look at the causes, timeline, tactics, human toll, and global implications of the Israel–Iran war. #⚠️ 1. Historical Background: From Proxy War to Direct Fire For decades, Israel and Iran have been enemies locked in a strategic and ideological battle. Iran, through its Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and proxies like Hezbollah and Hamas, has supported anti-Israel militants across the Middle East. Israel, in turn, has carried out numerous covert operations, cyberattacks (like the Stuxnet worm), and airstrikes agai...

Exploring Henry Fielding’s Joseph Andrews: A Foundation of English Comic Novel By Mariam Malik Henry Fielding’s Joseph Andrews , first published in 1742, is a cornerstone of English literature and an early example of the comic novel. Often overshadowed by later literary giants like Dickens or Austen, Fielding’s work remains an essential read for anyone interested in the origins of the English novel, the development of satire, and the interplay between morality and humor in literature. Background: Who Was Henry Fielding? Henry Fielding (1707–1754) was a novelist, playwright, and magistrate who helped shape the English novel into what we recognize today. Before turning to prose, Fielding was a successful playwright. However, a licensing act in 1737 restricted stage performances, pushing him toward fiction. Joseph Andrews was his first full-length novel, and it followed the publication of his satirical pamphlet Shamela,a parody of Samuel Richardson’s moral novel Pamela. Fielding’s aim wa...

 Lost Dreams & Hidden Desires: A Psychoanalytic Look at The Great Gatsby By Mariam Malik F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby is often celebrated as a novel about wealth, love, and the American Dream. But beneath its glittering parties and jazz-age charm lies a deeper, more psychological truth. Through the lens of Psychoanalytic Theory, we discover a world driven by unconscious desires, repressed memories, and emotional wounds that never fully heal. 🧪 What Is Psychoanalytic Theory? First introduced by Sigmund Freud, psychoanalytic theory explores how the unconscious mind shapes behavior. It focuses on internal struggles between: * The Id (instinct and desire), * The Ego (rational self), * The Superego (morality and social rules). When applied to literature, this theory helps us uncover what characters truly want, even if they don’t realize it themselves. 🕶️ Gatsby: The Man Who Couldn’t Let Go Jay Gatsby is a walking symbol of  repressed desire. His love for Daisy isn’t...

🔮 The World of Cyberpunk: A Glimpse into Our High-Tech Future In the ever-evolving world of literature and media, one genre continues to grow in relevance and cultural impact: Cyberpunk . With its unique blend of advanced technology, urban decay, and philosophical questions about identity and control, cyberpunk doesn’t just imagine the future—it warns us about it. But what exactly is cyberpunk? And how do classic texts like Neuromancer by William Gibson define this thought-provoking genre? 🤖What Is Cyberpunk? Cyberpunk is a subgenre of science fiction that explores the dark side of the digital age . It often features: Advanced technology like artificial intelligence (AI), virtual reality (VR), and cybernetics. Broken or corrupt societies , where corporations are more powerful than governments. Outsider protagonists —hackers, rebels, or loners—who struggle to survive or fight back. In simple terms, cyberpunk shows us a world where technology has evolved , but human p...

Silenced for Speaking Out: The Feminist Crisis Behind Sana Yousaf’s Murder The tragic murder of 17-year-old TikTok influencer Sana Yousaf in Islamabad on June 2, 2025, has ignited a nationwide outcry in Pakistan, drawing attention to the persistent threats faced by women, particularly those in the public eye. Sana, celebrated for her vibrant content promoting Chitrali culture and advocating for girls' education, was fatally shot in her home by her cousin, Umar Hayat, after reportedly rejecting his advances. This incident, suspected to be an "honour" killing, underscores the deep-rooted patriarchal norms that continue to endanger women's lives in Pakistan.  A Feminist Perspective: Challenging Patriarchal Norms Sana's murder is not an isolated event but part of a broader pattern of gender-based violence in Pakistan. Despite legal reforms, such as the 2016 law criminalizing honour killings, enforcement remains inconsistent, and societal attitudes often perpetuate vic...