An article by Dr. Zeinab Ghasemi Tari, faculty member at the Faculty of World Studies, University of Tehran, titled
“Whitewashing War: Retrotopia, Chosen Trauma, and the Iranian Diaspora’s Legitimization of US–Israeli Aggression,”
has been published in the international academic journal Middle East Critique in 2026.

The article examines the role of certain Iranian diaspora factions, particularly pro-monarchist networks, in shaping narratives that legitimize U.S.–Israeli military actions against Iran. Drawing on the concept of “retrotopia,” the study explores how idealized representations of pre-revolutionary Iran are constructed and disseminated through Persian-language media and coordinated social media campaigns.

The research further highlights how a relatively small but organized segment of diaspora activists contributes to the production of media discourse, amplifies selective events, and influences international public opinion and policymaking. It argues that such narratives can play a significant role in framing military intervention as acceptable within Western societies.

The publication of this article in a leading journal of Middle Eastern studies reflects Dr. Ghasemi Tari’s scholarly contributions to media studies, diaspora studies, and international discourse analysis.

The full text of the article is available at:
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/19436149.2026.2684678