Maids everywhere, but at what price?
In the rich Persian Gulf states of Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, where I have been passing most of my time, there are two types of people. Read more...
There was no need to worry
Before I made my trip to the Middle East it seemed like everybody I knew was cautioning me to be very careful. Read more...
A different picture of women's rights
When Americans hear about women in the Middle East, it's all too likely that some form of the word oppression will be part of the discussion. Read more...
Globalization at mach speed
If there were one spot in the world where you would think this phenomenon called globalization would not affect, it would have to be the village of my ancestors in Iran. Read more...
Modest clothes—stifling or empowering?
When I say I have been to the Middle East and that’s where my origins are, many people ask about Islamic dress codes, particularly for women. Read more...
A uniquely Iranian view
On March 24th, just a day after 15 British sailors were seized by Iran, I got word from my father that the Iranian government had given me permission to enter and exit the country. Read more...
On religion’s similarities
It’s tough to find a place in the Middle East where you get no exposure to the Islamic religion. Read more...
They eat cheeseburgers over here
It’s amazing how far from America you can be and still feel like you might as well be in America. Read more...
Invisible lines
I'm finally starting to feel a sense of the fact that I'm semi-permanently here. Read more...
First steps
I pause just for a second or two before taking my last step onto the plane. Read more...