Mehdi Hasan

Mehdi Hasan argues that Western media enthusiasm for Gadi Eisenkot as a moderate alternative to Benjamin Netanyahu is misplaced. Eisenkot served in Netanyahu’s war cabinet during the Gaza war, oversaw deadly responses to Palestinian protests, rejects a two-state solution, supports settlements and is associated with the destructive Dahiya Doctrine. Hasan contends that replacing Netanyahu with Eisenkot or other opposition figures would change Israel’s image and messaging without ending occupation, settlement expansion or military violence against Palestinians and Lebanese.

Elon Musk is accused of using X to heavily promote Citizen Vigilante, a film portrayed as far-right propaganda that depicts migrants as inherently violent and celebrates extrajudicial killings, including the execution of a Muslim family. The film was refused classification by Germany's ratings authority over concerns that it incited violence against migrants, yet Musk shared it widely and amplified endorsements from right-wing accounts, including Germany's AfD leader. The commentary argues that Musk's control of X gives his endorsements unusual power to legitimize extremist ideas, linking his online promotion of anti-migrant narratives to broader risks of radicalization, hate crimes and political violence. It also cites criticism of Musk's amplification of unrest in Northern Ireland and condemns major US media outlets for failing to scrutinize his conduct.

Mehdi Hasan argues that politicians in the UK and US who previously presented themselves as defenders of free speech are abandoning those principles when confronted with criticism of Israel and support for Palestine. He cites the proscription of Palestine Action, arrests over pro-Palestinian signs, the exclusion of Cenk Uygur and Hasan Piker from the UK, and the Trump administration’s detention of students including Mahmoud Khalil and Rümeysa Öztürk. Hasan contends that pressure on universities, journalists, academics and protesters represents an assault on liberal democracy, and that suppressing dissent over Gaza risks normalizing broader authoritarianism.

Mehdi Hasan argues that Marco Rubio’s speech at the Munich Security Conference amounted to an explicit defense of Western empire, colonialism and territorial expansion rather than a conventional case for U.S. leadership. He condemns European officials for giving Rubio a standing ovation while the Trump administration pursues aggressive policies, including its interest in acquiring Greenland and its willingness to challenge national sovereignty. The piece also highlights the historical death toll and violence of European empires, accusing Rubio and his allies of erasing that history and warning that their authoritarian imperial vision threatens Europe and the wider international order.

Mehdi Hasan argues that the Trump administration has a serious Nazi problem, citing government social-media posts using Nazi-associated slogans and imagery, dehumanizing language about migrants, and officials linked to Hitler worship, Holocaust denial or Nazi sympathies. He connects these developments to Donald Trump’s own rhetoric, associations with extremists and alleged admiration for Hitler, concluding that the administration is deliberately emboldening Nazi-glorifying elements within the American right.

Mehdi Hasan argues that Donald Trump could strengthen his claim to the Nobel Peace Prize by pressuring Benjamin Netanyahu to release Marwan Barghouti, the imprisoned Palestinian leader widely viewed as a unifying and popular figure. Hasan emphasizes Barghouti’s stated support for recognizing Israel, opposing attacks on civilians and pursuing peaceful coexistence, while challenging the fairness of his Israeli trial. The column cites support from Ron Lauder and former Shin Bet chief Ami Ayalon, warns about Barghouti’s deteriorating treatment in prison, and contends that his release could help produce a credible Palestinian partner for a lasting two-state peace agreement.

Mehdi Hasan argues that Chuck Schumer and Hakeem Jeffries should resign as leaders of Senate and House Democrats, portraying them as cowardly, ineffectual and overly committed to bipartisanship while Donald Trump advances an authoritarian agenda. He criticizes their refusal to endorse Zohran Mamdani, their limited responses to attacks on Democrats and institutions, Schumer’s accommodation of Trump and his pro-Israel positioning, and both leaders’ failure to mobilize Democratic voters. Hasan contends that younger and more progressive figures offer greater energy and that Democrats need fearless opposition and new leadership to defend democracy and regain public support.

Mehdi Hasan argues that Israel’s destruction and starvation of Gaza should be recognized as genocide and that the United States is not merely failing to prevent it but actively enabling it through weapons, intelligence, funding and diplomatic protection. He condemns both the Trump and Biden administrations, Republicans and Democrats in Congress, and US media organizations for supporting or sanitizing Israel’s conduct. The piece also accuses universities, law firms and technology companies of facilitating repression or profiting from the devastation, concluding that American political and media leaders will face historical responsibility for aiding the alleged crimes.

Mehdi Hasan argues that Immigration and Customs Enforcement has become an abusive instrument of Donald Trump’s administration and should be abolished rather than reformed. He cites the arrest of Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, the rough treatment of members of Congress, and a series of alleged warrantless arrests, mistaken detentions, family separations, deportations and excessive-force incidents. Hasan criticizes elected Democrats— including progressives—for abandoning the former “Abolish ICE” position out of concern over immigration politics, while Republicans seek to greatly expand the agency’s detention budget. He concludes that Democrats committed to resisting authoritarianism should oppose ICE’s expansion and dismantle the agency entirely.

Mehdi Hasan argues that calling people “illegal immigrants” is both dehumanizing and legally inaccurate. He explains that unlawful presence in the United States is generally a civil immigration violation rather than a crime, that many undocumented immigrants entered legally and overstayed visas, and that the Supreme Court has recognized that remaining in the country while removable is generally not criminal. Hasan criticizes Trump administration claims portraying detained or deported migrants as dangerous criminals, citing cases involving people with no criminal records and an erroneous deportation. He also points to research showing that immigrants commit crimes at lower rates than native-born Americans and urges liberals and Democrats to reject conservative efforts to conflate undocumented status with criminality.

Mehdi Hasan argues that Republicans have turned “DEI” into an abstract racial dog whistle used to undermine Black people in prominent positions and blame them for broader social problems. Citing examples involving Karine Jean-Pierre, Kamala Harris and Baltimore mayor Brandon Scott, he contends that the rhetoric attacks qualifications while avoiding explicit racial language. Hasan compares the strategy with earlier Republican euphemisms described by Lee Atwater and criticizes media outlets for treating anti-DEI claims as good-faith policy criticism rather than racism.