From dancing with dictators to becoming Putin's pet, Steven Seagal has spent the last few decades making friends with some of the world's most notorious authoritarians My latest for Sports Politika sportspolitika.news/p/steven-seaga…

Ahh yes, this is what I need

Great explainer on Palestine's quest to qualify for the 2026 men's World Cup: "Despite the odds stacked against them, Palestine [is] embodying the resilience of a nation striving for recognition on and off the field." By Karim Zidan 🕊️ Sports Politika sportspolitika.news/p/palestine-wo…

Join us for our first Sports Politika live chat during tonight's presidential debate between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump. Let’s dive into the potential ripple effects across sports, politics, and beyond. sportspolitika.news/p/lets-talk-po…

Starting in 10 mins!

As yoga continues to soar in popularity, India's PM Modi and his Hindu nationalist government are leveraging its global appeal as a means for soft power, diplomacy, and control of India's disenfranchised Muslim minority sportspolitika.news/p/yoga-politic…

Rwanda’s authoritarian ruler is investing millions in some of the world’s wealthiest sports 💰 In this analysis, Karim Zidan 🕊️ details Kagame’s use of sport for political ends from basketball and football partnerships to hosting international spectacles 👇playthegame.org/news/the-afric…

In my new essay New Lines Magazine, I make sense of the #rape culture in India by delving into the worldview of men. I talk about the lack of sex education, online rape threats, victims becoming online baits, Haryanvi hip hop, among other things. newlinesmag.com/argument/in-in…

In an attack reminiscent of Russia's wild 1990s, an MMA fighter linked to Chechen dictator Ramzan Kadyrov was among those detained following a deadly shootout at the Moscow headquarters of Russia's retail giant Wildberries. sportspolitika.news/p/mma-fighter-…

The one and only Karim Zidan 🕊️ breaks down the whole story: x.com/ZidanSports/st…

🧵Saudi Arabia takes center stage tonight at Wembley Stadium 🇸🇦 The highly anticipated fight between #JoshuaDubois marks another milestone in Saudi Arabia’s political use of sports. At the heart of it all is Turki Alalshikh. 1/11 youtube.com/watch?v=jJtX_n…

For deeper insight, check out Karim Zidan 🕊️' excellent articles. How Saudi Arabia buys influence in U.S. sports👉playthegame.org/news/how-saudi… How Gulf states are taking over combat sports👇11/11 playthegame.org/news/rich-gulf…

"I was barred from Joshua’s fight after criticising Saudi sportswashing" says Oliver Brown The Telegraph I've warned about this risk when engaging with autocratic states. We saw it with Karim Zidan 🕊️ and tariq panja exposing Messi's Visit Saudi contract. telegraph.co.uk/boxing/2024/09…

The work by Karim Zidan 🕊️ and tariq panja offers rare insight into Messi and Saudia Arabia’s partnership: millions of dollars for SoMe posts, promotional visits, and $25 million up for grabs, and "Messi cannot say anything that might “tarnish” Saudi Arabia" x.com/nytimes/status…

Saudi Arabia barred a British journalist from attending its boxing event in the UK and also played its own national anthem before the main event, underscoring how the kingdom isn’t just joining the global sports conversation—it’s actively shaping it. sportspolitika.news/p/what-it-cost…

Karim Zidan 🕊️ If I remember correctly, the Saudi national anthem was also played at the card in L.A. It was clear that 99% of the point of the event was to market Saudi. Materials were passed out about visiting Saudi that had no connection to boxing.

Les Karim Zidan 🕊️ tankevekkende gjestekommentar om helgens boksekamp på Wembley (en kamp jeg tror også Viaplay streamet). idrettspolitikk.no/2024/09/23/kos…