Sunni vs Shia

To view this email as a web page, click [here.]( [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [Instagram]( [undefined]( What does Iran want? In this week's cover story, Michael Axworthy assesses the rise of the Islamic Republic and its increasingly assertive presence in the Middle East. Though Axworthy concludes that Iran, and its powerful Revolutionary Guard, are not seeking "dominance" of the region, he warns that "they are prepared to use ruthless methods to defend and preserve" their state - both within and beyond its borders. Also this week, John Gray reviews Harvard psychologist Steven Pinker's new book Enlightenment Now, dismissing it as an "embarrassingly feeble" manual for "rattled rationalists". Stephen Bush explains why Labour's "Corbynsceptics" are struggling to agree a united approach, and Jason Cowley pays tribute to his friend Ernest Hecht, the last great émigré publisher in London. Elsewhere, Helen Lewis praises the "smart and politically alert" Black Panther (which has "a border control system that would make Theresa May swoon"), I interview Corbyn ally and trade union leader Manuel Cortes, who makes a Marxist case against Brexit, and Ben Myers recalls the 1980s heyday of ice hockey in Britain's ailing northern towns. All this, plus Mehdi Hasan on why Donald Trump's "grown-up" chief of staff is as bad as his boss, Tom Gatti on Zadie Smith's new essay collection and Charlie Brinkhurst-Cuff on the feminist case for pornography. Enjoy and you can subscribe [here](. George [@georgeeaton]( Editor's Picks [Stephen Bush: Labour's Corbynsceptics need to build bridges - but they can't agree on how]( For a minority of Labour MPs, Jeremy Corbyn's growing hegemony and Tom Watson's acquiescence are no laughing matter. [Amelia Tait on the digital pleas of Florida students after the latest mass shooting]( "As teenagers, we know how to use social media and we know how to take advantage of it." [Blood, blades and bitter: how ice hockey bloomed in 1980s Britain]( Ben Myers recalls the sport's heyday in Britain's ailing northern towns. [John Gray takes Steven Pinker to task for his reductionist version of the Enlightenment]( The psychologist's embarrassing new book is a feeble sermon for rattled liberals. [Helen Lewis on the politics of Black Panther's Wakanda]( Smart and politically alert, the movie will inspire a generation of film students [www.NewStatesman.com]( [Jeremy Corbyn is heading for big victories in London]( Stephen Bush's five thoughts on the latest set of polling from the capital. [Game of Stones: The power struggle at the heart of British curling]( Anoosh Chakelian reports on the dynasties, scandal and "the curse" behind the only Olympic sport you can play while eating pizza. [podcast]( To unsubscribe click: [here](