Elizabeth T Gray Jr

AFTER THE OPERATION broke out of its chrysalis on Saturday, 15 March, and is abroad in the world! Thank you @FourWayBooks for your belief in this work, and thank you @nyulangone for your expertise and support. You can order the book from the usual suspects, or, most favorably, from here: fourwaybooks.com/site/after-the… A pre-publication review from The Arts Fuse can be found here: artsfuse.org/306377/poetry-… And a poem from the book is also up on the AF site: artsfuse.org/306552/weekly-…

@RAF_Luton That's Starfleet's USS ENTERPRISE.

Photo of the Day: The Millennium Falcon undergoing a £800.85bn refit at HNAS Yeovilton (Gloucestershire) to make her ready for this year's #MayTheFourth celebrations May the Force be with you! #StarWars Photographed from a Canberra

A nurse in Iran helped wounded protesters. The security forces killed her. Then abused her body. Then used her finger to unlock her phone and sent the images of sexual abuse to her husband. Listen to her story and please on’t stop talking about Iran. 💔

Today marks 35 years since the assassination of the pro-democracy lawyer and activist, Dr. Abdorrahman Boroumand, in Paris -- and 25 years since his daughters founded the Abdorrahman Boroumand Center. The Center, including its first project, the #Omid_Memorial, is dedicated to promoting Boroumand's ideals. Its creation also sends a message to the proponents of terror: Using violence to eliminate their opponents will not succeed in eliminating their ideas. Indeed, the memory of their victims challenges the collective conscience of a nation and spurs many to fight for freedom and human rights. Killing an opponent may delay, but it surely will not end, the quest for freedom.

In ancient Iranian tradition, Nowruz is celebrated with the Haft-Sin—seven symbols of life, each beginning with the letter 'S'. The Abdorrahman Boroumand Center, in its commitment to protecting Iranians’ Right to Life dedicates this Nowruz to the memory of all victims who lost their lives in the struggle for freedom. We remember them with the hope for a free and democratic Iran, and that justice will prevail over the darkness of oppression. #Iran

@shanaka86 @mercoglianos @loomisoncyber

BREAKING: At 0120 local time on March 5, a small vessel approached the Sonangol Namibe, a 274-meter Bahamas-flagged crude tanker anchored near Khor Al-Zubair, Iraq’s primary oil loading port. There was a loud bang. The port-side ballast tank began taking on water. Hull breach confirmed. 23 crew members safe. No cargo aboard. No pollution reported. The vessel remains afloat. UKMTO confirmed the incident. Tier 1. This is the most significant tanker attack of the war and it is not the attack that matters most. Here is what happened in the insurance market on the same day the tanker was hit. Five major Protection and Indemnity clubs, Gard, Skuld, NorthStandard, London P&I Club, and the American Club, issued cancellation notices effective March 5, 2026. Together these clubs cover 90% of the world’s merchant fleet. The 72-hour notice they issued on March 1 expired this morning. The cancellations are not blanket. Reinstatement is available. At materially increased premiums. What was 0.2% of hull value is now 1%. For a $100 million vessel, single voyage coverage that cost $200,000 before the war now costs $1 million or more. And that assumes coverage is available at all in certain zones. Now understand the architecture of what just broke. P&I clubs cannot write coverage their reinsurers will not back. Reinsurers price catastrophic tail risk. When a major declared naval conflict produces tanker kills, hull breaches, and a government announcement of wartime control over a strategic chokepoint in the same 72-hour window, reinsurance treaty capacity begins withdrawing. When reinsurance withdraws, primary coverage becomes impossible to write at any premium. When coverage becomes impossible, Letters of Credit that finance global trade cannot be issued. When Letters of Credit fail, ships do not move. Not just oil tankers. Bulk carriers, container ships, grain vessels, pharmaceutical freight. That mechanism is what 150 ships stranded outside the Strait of Hormuz actually represents. Not Iranian missiles stopping them. Insurance mathematics stopping them. The Sonangol Namibe was not carrying cargo. It was waiting to load 80,000 metric tonnes of Iraqi crude. It will not be loading now. Khor Al-Zubair is where Iraq exports the heavy fuel oil that flows to Asian refineries. Iraq is not a party to this war. Iraq did not authorize strikes on Iran. Iraq has tried to remain neutral while hosting US forces on its soil and maintaining relations with Tehran simultaneously. A vessel in its primary export corridor was just destroyed by a small boat with explosives at 1 AM. War has no neutral shipping lanes. The insurance market understood that four days ago. The market priced it. The ships stopped. The physical attacks are not closing the Strait of Hormuz. The mathematics of risk transfer already did. open.substack.com/pub/shanakaans…

@AlirezaNader @RoyaBoroumand @BillShipsey @LadiKhanom

I met Amir Etemadi about nine years ago. I had left my job at the RAND Corporation and the December 2017 Dey protests had just broken out. I was really excited because of what Iranians were chanting in Iran. “We don’t want the Islamic Republic.” And “Hardliners, reformists, the game is over.” This was the first time in years, maybe decades, since large groups of Iranians had taken to the streets not to demand reforms or express outrage at rigged elections, but to demand the end of the evil regime. This was a sign of the coming revolution. And me leaving my job finally freed me to say everything I really wanted to say about Iran. Being honest about Iran is quite challenging in Washington, D.C. You try to fly free, but there is always someone there waiting to shoot you down. I think the break for me came during my last talk at the Atlantic Council. I had quit my job at RAND and I finally just let loose. It was my barandaz (regime overthrower) speech. Years of pent-up frustration in Iran were released as I advocated for revolution against the Islamic Republic. I know that was the end of my relationship with one set of the Iran-focused professional class. But what I didn’t realize was that that Atlantic talk was the beginning of my long, at times hopeful, complicated, and ultimately painful relationship with Reza Pahlavi, the eldest son of the late Shah of Iran (I won’t say the last Shah because I know how much the Shahis hate it) and self-declared “leader of the national uprising and the Lion and Sun revolution.” I had just uttered a few words about him at the Atlantic Council talk, but unbeknownst to me, even the few neutral to positive words about him had triggered intense excitement and curiosity about me in the Pahlavist world. That’s how I met Amir Etemadi. I’ll leave the details and characters involved to another time, but Etemadi was at the time quite different from the man you’ll meet today. He had been imprisoned in Iran for his political activities and appeared to have suffered gravely at the hands of the regime. He also appeared genuinely devoted to saving Iran. He was from Lahijan, a town in Gilan province in northern Iran, the same area of Iran where the Pahlavis are from. Amir seemed like a calm, collected, and easy-going guy. His rather light complexion and green eyes gave him a somewhat innocent look. At the time, Etemadi spoke of liberal democracy and human rights. He claimed that he belonged to a group called the Iranian Liberal Students Group in Iran, members of which adhered to “classical” liberal democracy. I have not managed to find any information on this group. In fact, Etemadi and his friends belonged to Islamist reformist student associations such as Tahkim-e Vahdat (Office of Strengthening Unity). Etemadi even campaigned for Mehdi Karroubi, ex-speaker of parliament, a close ally of Ayatollah Khomeini, and now jailed critic of Iranian dictator Ali Khamenei. Which is pretty rich, because Etemadi and his buddies label anyone who is not a monarchist as a supporter of the Islamic Republic when they were once in the arms of the regime. In addition to becoming Pahlavi’s top advisor, Etemadi also assembled a group of activists into a political “action group” to combat the regime. The group was called Farashgard, or Iran Revival. According to Zoroastrian theology, Farashgard signifies the end of time, when good finally triumphs over Ahriman (evil), and the world is restored to purity and perfection. Farashgard was the political and social equivalent of a revolution against the regime and the birth of a new Iran. I really liked the idea of Farashgard and the concept of reviving or resurrecting Iran after the regime’s near destruction of the country. Farashgard used Zoroastrian imaging and messages, which really resonated with me like no other group had before. I had never really been a practicing Muslim—at the age of eight or so my Qoran teacher in Iran (a mean lady in a black head scarf) had hit me hard on the head for not reading the Qoran correctly. I ran far away from Islam and never looked back. But I have always been intrigued by Zoroastrianism since I could remember. Beyond its beauty as a humanistic system of ethics, I felt connected to the “Iranian-ness” of Zoroastrianism in a way that’s hard to articulate. Etemadi and the other members of Farashgard told me that they had a network across the globe, including in Iran. This was impressive, because it was notoriously difficult to organize any sort of opposition to the brutal regime. But that was just an exaggeration to fool me, and one day fool the necessary foreign officials needed to place Pahlavi on the Peacock Throne. Soon, Farashgard fell apart. Etemadi was controlling and secretive, and often at war with other members of the group (I was never a member of the group, but a friendly observer). The power plays within the group seemed silly and trivial, but they displayed a side of Etemadi that I believe has greatly contributed to Pahlavi’s disastrous “leadership” of the monarchists. Since meeting Etemad, Pahlavi has cast aside all of his life-long advisors, including some who have known him since childhood. Etemadi exercises considerable power over Pahlavi. He maintains very tight control of the gate to Pahlavi. Few can penetrate it. And anyone who approaches it, even with friendly intention, is viewed as a potential threat. He also writes Pahlavi’s speeches and even controls the conversation with reporters (no challenging questions allowed). Several former Pahlavists have told me that he controls all of Pahlavi’s social media. He also advises him on his most important campaigns and decisions. Etemadi most likely played a major role in Pahlavi’s decision to call unarmed Iranians into the streets on January 8 and 9 earlier this year. According to multiple sources, the regime massacred more than thirty thousand people on those two nights. But Etemadi’s absolutist political positions have harmed Pahlavi’s appeal among American and European officials, not to mention the rest of the opposition and broad section of Iranian society. According to Etemadi, only Pahlavi is qualified to lead the opposition and even Iran. No one else can emerge as a potential leader, especially women like Masih Alinejad and Nargess Mohammadi. Etemadi is particularly opposed to the Woman, Life, Freedom movement, and I believe played an important role in convincing Pahlavi to ditch the opposition Georgetown coalition, which was at the time a hopeful sign for a notoriously divided opposition. Since his departure from the Georgetown coalition, Pahlavi’s supporters have launched an unrelenting campaign of online and off-line harassment and intimidation against non-monarchist opponents of the regime. I have been a target myself, especially since I left Pahlavi’s orbit about three years ago. Along with thousands of on-line threats and interminable foul language, I have received particularly alarming death threats. Some of the harassment and the threats emanate from real Pahlavi supporters. But I believe that the Islamic Republic and other foreign powers are behind the campaign as well. The goal is to present Pahlavi as the only possible leader of the opposition and the only alternative to the Islamic Republic. The Pahlavists may not be where they are today without Etemadi and his gang. Their intimidation of other Iranians have made Pahlavi stand out above all other opposition figures. But the rise in his profile has come with a high cost as well- Pahlavi has alienated decent and professional people who could have helped him create a much different movement acceptable to the international community and a bigger portion of Iranian society. Instead, Pahlavi’s movement often behaves as a cult of personality opposed to democracy and the concept of the individual as a free thinking and acting being. The Pahlavists do not tolerate any criticism or questioning of their sovereign, as the vile treatment of Christian Amanpour by a Pahlavist demonstrated. The recent Pahlavist rally in Munich, Germany showed some of the worst characteristics of the Pahlavist movement: extreme nationalism, ethnic chauvinism, and unmistakable signs of fascist ideology. I have realized Pahlavi’s advisors are primarily motivated by the lust for power and prestige and revenge against those who have hurt them. They see their success in the world as dependent on Pahlavi’s ascent and see their political objectives as achievable through force and aggression. What Farashgard presented itself initially to be was the kind of revival many had hoped for, one rooted in Iran’s ancient Zoroastrian principles such as good thoughts, good words, and good deeds. But Etemadi and his gang have proven that they neither believe in nor practice these principles. Not every Iranian monarchist believes in their ideology. Many monarchists I know are constitutionalist monarchists and are real democrats. I know that they are deeply unhappy with Pahlavi and are very suspicious of the Etemadi gang. It pains me to see Iranians become radicalized by this movement. Women and men who enjoy personal freedom and democracy in Western countries act like political commissars and street thugs when it comes to Iran. Some of the young Pahlavists I see today are filled with rage, not just toward the Islamic Republic, but also toward people like me. Whoever means to divide us has done an excellent job. I have no hate toward Pahlavi and his supporters, no matter how much some of them may despise me. I want freedom for them and for all Iranians. But freedom cannot be achieved with dogmatism and a totalitarian mentality. I hope that one day Etemadi and his friends read and learn from the teachings of the great Zoroaster, who said that “What I hold good for the self, I should for all.” We will only win as one or lose as one. I hope they see the light.

Based on the latest NWS forecasts, a major winter storm is expected in Durham, NC, from Friday night through Sunday (Jan 23-25, 2026), with potential for snow, sleet, and freezing rain. Exact snowfall accumulation is uncertain due to evolving models, but some projections range from 6-15 inches. Check weather.gov/rah for updates. Stay safe!

@Joseph_Fasano_ @PoetryArchive @rhinopoetry @boaeditions Stunning.

This poem won the WordView Prize from the @PoetryArchive, was a finalist for the @rhinopoetry Founders' Prize, and will be in my New & Selected Poems (@boaeditions). I don't think three-page poems get many online readers (sigh), but these are some of my words I believe in most.

@TheAmanuensis Michael, I actually think I should have the right to vote.

Another powerful argument for the repeal of the 19th amendment self-identifies.

For over 48 hours, they have built a wall of silence and isolation around Iran. For more than two days, the right to have a voice, the right to communicate, and the right to narrate our own reality have been held hostage. By imposing a total internet blackout, the government aims to shatter the people's organization and stifle their cries, seeking to carry out its crackdown in absolute darkness. Yet, this flood of people proves that there is a vast distance between cutting communications and cutting unity. They severed the internet, but they could not tear the bonds of a people united for freedom. Share this video; do not let the cries of this massive crowd go unheard. #IranRevolution2026

@GhorbaniiNiyak @RoyaBoroumand

🚨 URGENT – MAJOR LEAK FROM IRAN’S CENTRAL BANK A confidential and classified directive issued by the Central Bank of the Islamic Republic has been leaked. The document orders all major Iranian banks, payment networks, card systems and financial institutions to immediately enter emergency operational mode in anticipation of nationwide unrest, sabotage, shutdown scenarios and regime-level crisis. The directive explicitly instructs banks to: • Prepare for blackouts and infrastructure collapse • Secure and relocate critical financial data • Activate crisis-mode parallel payment systems • Prepare for system shutdowns, mass disruption, and nationwide instability • Create alternative financial survival mechanisms in case the regime loses control In plain language: The regime is officially preparing for collapse scenarios. They are no longer planning for “if” — they are planning for when. This is not routine security paperwork. This is financial martial law preparation. It is a written admission that the regime expects: • loss of control • mass civil resistance • infrastructure breakdown • and nationwide instability The system is bracing itself for a coming rupture. History records moments like this. This is one of them. The collapse phase has entered the banking system.

@NazaninBoniadi Well of course--weather is female-clothing dependent, right? Unfortunately, somehow I'm not surprised to hear this.

Diabolical. Few regimes have so cynically weaponized faith to sanctify their cruelty.

I'll be reading with @ChrlesBernstein at the NYPL at 6:15p on November 19th--reading, Q&A, discussion, hosted by Quantum Age Poetics. Please join us! Thank you, @NewDirections, for helping us spread the word. ndbooks.com/event/quantum-…

@raza_naeem1979 @ForoughPoetry @NewDirections @MonkfishBookPub @ForoughFarrokh @Womenintransla1 @TranslatedWomen @Read_WIT @Hafez_Shirazi @ForughPoet So glad you received them, Raza! I look forward to seeing the review(s), and do post/send a photo of each of them somewhere in your gorgeous city. @NewDirections @MonkfishBookPub

<gratitude> Grateful to dear @etgrayjr for personally going out of the way to send me her exquisite & important translations of legendary #Persian sufi poet Hafez Shirazi & @ForoughPoetry all the way from the #USA . After all, we're still in #WomeninTranslationMonth . Thanks.

Exactly 111 years ago today, Britain entered WWI. The statistics that emerged from that decision are almost too shocking to believe. Here are 15 mind-blowing facts about the British Army in WWI 🧵👇🏼

A deeply felt & penetrating analysis of Woman Life Freedom: Poems for the Iranian Revolution by Elizabeth T. Gray Jr. @etgrayjr has appeared in @Harvard_Review Thanks to reviewer & magazine @guernica_ed @Cy_Strom #review #bookreview #poetry #anthology harvardreview.org/book-review/wo…

Daniel Tobin & Elizabeth T. Gray June 26, 2025

@cdrsalamander Laughing too hard to breathe. Thank you.

The Anglosphere asylum, welfare, and disability challenge, as shown through interspecies interpretive dance.

A Call for Solidarity with the Iranian People. #IranIsraelConflict #Iran