Riccardo Bottazzo's book 'Le isole dei sogni impossibili' is a rich collection of stories about fifty islands, both real and imaginary, inhabited and abandoned, that share the human attempt to dominate them to create a new world. The book includes tales of revolutionaries, despots, entrepreneurs, and ecologists, as well as fictional islands created by journalists and projects funded by tech entrepreneurs like Peter Thiel. The narrative also touches on the tragic death of anti-mafia prosecutor Marcelo Pecci in Colombia, illustrating the fragility of our dreams.

Afghan refugees in Iran face severe discrimination and lack basic rights such as owning property, bank accounts, or SIM cards. Despite Ayatollah Khamenei's claims of treating Afghans with respect, they are often subjected to violence, segregation, and the threat of deportation. Refugees are employed in low-status jobs and live in fear of police and extremist violence. Many are coerced into fighting for Iran in Syria, with promises of residency and financial benefits that are rarely fulfilled. The younger generation dreams of escaping to Europe, but even this journey is fraught with danger, including exploitation by smugglers.