Rafia Zakaria

rafiazakaria

Rafia Zakaria is a political philosopher, and the author of The Upstairs Wife: An Intimate History of Pakistan (Beacon, 2015), Veil (Bloomsbury, 2017), and Against White Feminism (W.W. Norton, 2021). She recently edited Amidst the Debris: Humanitarianism and the End of Liberal Order (Hurst, 2021). She served as a director of Amnesty International USA from 2009 to 2015.

In this aerial view, protesters supporting women's rights are dressed in red as they form a human chain on International Women's Day in Tel Aviv on March 8, 2023.

Nationalism Distorts Feminism in Israel Just as It Did in the US Nationalism Distorts Feminism in Israel Just as It Did in the US

Israeli feminist groups showed courage standing up to Netanyahu on March 8, 2023. Where is that energy now that Gaza is starving?

Mar 8, 2024 / Rafia Zakaria

A Palestinian woman stands by bags of flour distributed by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency at a refugee settlement in the Gazan city of Rafah.

How the Unjust Assault on the UNRWA Undermines Liberal Humanitarianism How the Unjust Assault on the UNRWA Undermines Liberal Humanitarianism

The decision by Western powers to defund the aid agency in Gaza further imperils civilians, while undermining the credibility of key global institutions. 

Jan 30, 2024 / Rafia Zakaria

US flag waved at BLM celebration

Is There a Place for Patriotism on the Left? Is There a Place for Patriotism on the Left?

Michael Kazin argues that ones need patriotism to engage effectively in the democratic process, while Rafia Zakaria writes that “love of the flag” undermines commitments to interna...

Mar 4, 2022 / The Debate / Michael Kazin and Rafia Zakaria

Letters Icon

Letters From the November 1/8, 2021, Issue Letters From the November 1/8, 2021, Issue

Our carbon bootprint… The forgotten forever war… Fuzzy math… Feminism: left and white? (web only)…

Oct 19, 2021 / Our Readers and Rafia Zakaria

US First Lady Laura Bush visits Afghanistan

White Feminists Wanted to Invade White Feminists Wanted to Invade

Afghan women never asked for US air strikes.

Aug 17, 2021 / Rafia Zakaria

We Should Shame Frequent Fliers

We Should Shame Frequent Fliers We Should Shame Frequent Fliers

Pre-pandemic travel habits were destroying the earth. They must never be allowed to return.

Apr 23, 2021 / Rafia Zakaria

Domestic Violence and Coronavirus: Hell Behind Closed Doors

Domestic Violence and Coronavirus: Hell Behind Closed Doors Domestic Violence and Coronavirus: Hell Behind Closed Doors

It is up to us to raise money, space, and resources for survivors of domestic violence.

Apr 2, 2020 / Rafia Zakaria

3 Tips for White Women to Win Over Black and Brown Women Voters

3 Tips for White Women to Win Over Black and Brown Women Voters 3 Tips for White Women to Win Over Black and Brown Women Voters

What would an Elizabeth Warren–type campaign have to do to attract more women of color?

Mar 17, 2020 / Rafia Zakaria

Flag gavel

The End of Human Rights The End of Human Rights

The United States is throttling what meager enforcement mechanisms still exist.

Dec 23, 2019 / Column / Rafia Zakaria

War-Weary Pakistan Is Ready for Peace

War-Weary Pakistan Is Ready for Peace War-Weary Pakistan Is Ready for Peace

As peace rallies were being held in Pakistan, much of the media in India were pushing for war.

Mar 1, 2019 / Rafia Zakaria

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