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Eric Lob

Eric Lob

Associate Professor of Politics and International Relations, Florida International University
I am an associate professor in the Department of Politics and International Relations at Florida International University. My research focuses on the intersection of politics and development in the Middle East. I am the author of the book Iran’s Reconstruction Jihad: Rural Development and Regime Consolidation after 1979 (Cambridge University Press, 2020). My articles have appeared in the International Journal of Middle East Studies, Iranian Studies, Middle East Critique, The Middle East Journal, The Muslim World, Third World Quarterly, and others. I am a Non-Resident Scholar with the Middle East Institute (MEI) Iran Program and a Board of Trustees member of the American Institute of Iranian Studies (AIIrS).

Iran’s intervention in Sudan’s civil war advances its geopolitical goals − but not without risks

May 29, 2024 01:56 am UTC| Insights & Views

Irans role in funding and arming proxy groups in the Middle East has been well documented and has gotten extra attention since the Hamas-led attack in Israel in October 2023. Similarly, Tehrans arms shipments to Russia are...

How Iran selects its supreme leader

May 24, 2024 03:44 am UTC| Insights & Views Politics

The sudden death of President Ebrahim Raisi is unlikely to drastically alter Irans foreign and domestic policies, but it has left a power vacuum. As stipulated by the constitution, Raisi was replaced by his first vice...

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Economy

UK Unveils £10 Billion Industrial Strategy to Boost Jobs and Innovation

The UK government is set to unveil a 10-year industrial strategy aimed at boosting economic growth, job creation, and investment across high-growth sectors. Part of Prime Minister Keir Starmers Plan for Change, the...

Middle East Conflict Spurs Oil Surge and Market Uncertainty as U.S. Weighs Involvement

As tensions escalate between Israel and Iran, investors are bracing for potential U.S. military involvement and its economic ripple effects. Markets are watching closely as the Trump administration considers joining...

Russian Stocks Flat as MOEX Index Stalls, Commodities Mixed

Russian equities closed flat on Saturday, with the MOEX Russia Index posting no change at 0.00%. Market activity remained muted, with top-traded stocks like AFK Sistema PJSC (MCX:AFKS), Aeroflot PJSC (MCX:AFLT), and...

South Korea's Trade Minister Heads to U.S. Amid Tariff Talks and Economic Pressure

South Koreas Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo is scheduled to visit the United States from June 22 to 27 to continue critical trade negotiations aimed at easing tariffs, the trade ministry announced Saturday. During the visit,...

Japan Cancels Security Talks with U.S. Amid Defense Budget Dispute

Japan has canceled a high-level security meeting with the United States after the Trump administration increased pressure for higher defense spending, according to the Financial Times. The annual 2+2 security talks,...

Politics

B-2 Stealth Bombers Lead Precision Strikes on Iran’s Nuclear Sites

The U.S. Air Forces B-2 Spirit stealth bombers spearheaded a high-impact mission on Saturday, striking three of Irans key nuclear sites. President Donald Trump confirmed the very successful attack, announcing that the...

Global Reactions to U.S. Strike on Iranian Nuclear Sites Highlight Deep Divides

World leaders issued sharp responses following the U.S. airstrikes on three Iranian nuclear sitesFordow, Natanz, and Isfahancarried out Sunday morning Iran time. The attacks, ordered by President Donald Trump, have...

U.S. Strikes Iranian Nuclear Sites with Bunker Busters and Missiles

The United States launched airstrikes on three major Iranian nuclear facilities on Saturday evening, U.S. time, in what President Donald Trump described as a decisive military operation. The attack targeted Irans Fordow,...

U.S. Deploys B-2 Bombers to Guam Amid Iran-Israel Tensions

The United States is deploying B-2 stealth bombers to Guam, U.S. officials told Reuters, as President Donald Trump considers whether to support Israel in its escalating conflict with Iran. The move comes amid heightened...

Columbia Grad Mahmoud Khalil Vows to Continue Pro-Palestinian Activism Amid Deportation Fight

Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian-born Columbia University graduate, has pledged to continue his pro-Palestinian activism after being released on bail from U.S. immigration detention. Greeted by supporters and Representative...

Science

SpaceX Starship Explodes in Texas During Test, Citing Nitrogen Tank Failure

SpaceXs Starship spacecraft exploded in a dramatic fireball during a late-night test at the companys Starbase facility in Brownsville, Texas, on June 18, 2025. The 400-foot Mars-bound rocket, a key part of Elon Musks...

NASA Astronauts Wilmore and Williams Recover After Boeing Starliner Delay

NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams are steadily recovering after spending nine unexpected months aboard the International Space Station (ISS) due to issues with Boeings Starliner capsule. Initially intended...

SpaceX Starship Test Flight Reaches New Heights but Ends in Setback

SpaceXs massive Starship rocket, central to Elon Musks vision for interplanetary travel, launched its ninth uncrewed test flight from Starbase, Texas, on May 27, 2025. The two-stage vehiclecomprising the upper-stage...

Trump’s nomination for NASA leader boasts business and commercial spaceflight experience during a period of uncertainty for the agency

Jared Isaacman, billionaire, CEO and nominee to become the next NASA administrator, faced questions on April 9, 2025, from members of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation during his confirmation...

Lab-grown meat: you may find it icky, but it could drive forward medical research

Lab-grown meat causes heated debates. Proponents see benefits for the climate and animal welfare. Opponents worry about a Frankenstein food they regard as risky and unnatural. Whatever your opinion, the technology...

Technology

Meta and Oakley Launch AI Smart Glasses with Meta AI and Camera Features

Meta has expanded its wearable tech portfolio by partnering with Oakley to release AI-powered smart glasses, following the strong market response to its Ray-Ban Meta line. The collaboration with EssilorLuxottica, parent...

US Considers Revoking Chipmaker Authorizations in China Amid Trade Tensions

The U.S. Department of Commerce is reportedly weighing the revocation of special authorizations granted to global chipmakers Samsung, SK Hynix, and TSMC, potentially limiting their access to American chipmaking equipment...

Apple Reportedly Eyes AI Startup Perplexity Amid Rising Search Tech Competition

Apple is reportedly exploring a potential acquisition of artificial intelligence startup Perplexity, according to Bloomberg News. The internal discussions, which involve Apples MA chief Adrian Perica, services head Eddy...

Meta and Oakley Unveil AI Smart Glasses for Athletes and Adventurers

Meta Platforms Inc. (NASDAQ: META) has partnered with Oakley to launch the Oakley Meta HSTN, a high-performance AI smart eyewear product blending advanced technology with athletic design. Targeting athletes and active...

BBC Considers Legal Action Against AI Firm Perplexity Over Content Use

The BBC is reportedly preparing legal action against AI search engine Perplexity for allegedly using its content without permission to train artificial intelligence models. According to the Financial Times, the UK public...
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