A woman walks past a billboard bearing a picture of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, on a street in Tehran, Iran, on Aug. 13, 2026. (Credit: Majid Asgaripour/WANA/Reuters)
Hazem Saghieh is a journalist and writer. He is one of the leading figures in Arab journalism. He worked at As-Safir, then at al-Hayat, before joining al-Sharq al-Awsat in 2019. He is regarded as one of the most influential critical voices in contemporary Arab intellectual discourse. His books and articles primarily address issues of politics and culture, and are characterized by their critique of nationalist ideology, authoritarianism and political Islam.This week, he reflects on the surreal nature of an Iranian regime organized around a supreme leader, whose fate – whether dead or alive – remains unknown.I find myself thinking about Mojtaba Khamenei more than I probably should. What surprises me is that so few others seem to be doing the same. Is it normal for millions of people to pledge absolute loyalty to a man who may not even be...
Hazem Saghieh is a journalist and writer. He is one of the leading figures in Arab journalism. He worked at As-Safir, then at al-Hayat, before joining al-Sharq al-Awsat in 2019. He is regarded as one of the most influential critical voices in contemporary Arab intellectual discourse. His books and articles primarily address issues of politics and culture, and are characterized by their critique of nationalist ideology, authoritarianism and political Islam.This week, he reflects on the surreal nature of an Iranian regime organized around a supreme leader, whose fate – whether dead or alive – remains unknown.I find myself thinking about Mojtaba Khamenei more than I probably should. What surprises me is that so few others seem to be doing the same. Is it normal for millions of people to pledge absolute loyalty to a man who may not even...
