In the Shadow of the Ayatollah’s Death, War Comes to Iran
Journalist Negar Mortazavi and historian Arash Azizi join Faisal Al Yafai to discuss the US and Israeli strikes on Iran, the death of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and the future of the Islamic republic.
War, Emigration and the Search for Love in Lebanon
After years of war, economic collapse and mass emigration, Lebanon’s dating pool has shrunk and sectarian pressures remain deeply entrenched. Yet, from niche dating apps to blind dates, young Lebanese are finding new ways to look for love.
Saudi Arabia’s Coffee Renaissance
Coffee in Saudi Arabia has never been just a drink, and now a specialty cafe boom is renewing the tradition of coffeehouses as spaces for culture, conversation and community.
Iran Is Not on the Brink of Revolution, It Has Entered a Long Decline
In Iran today, acts of quiet defiance have become part of everyday life. In the country’s major cities, one sees unveiled women in public places. Protest songs circulate widely. But outside observers who believe the country is on the cusp of another revolution are fundamentally mistaken.
Secret Marriages and Serial Divorce in Mauritania
Secret marriages and serial divorce reveal how faith and intimacy are being renegotiated in the rapidly growing cities of Mauritania, one of the world’s few Islamic republics.