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Foreigners Fighting Foreigners
In some ways related to American films about U.S. emigres escaping violence in a strange foreign country, “Once Upon a Time in the Middle East” portrays Chinese expats as facilitators of peace and genuine intercultural understanding, while hinting at a more objectionable, paternalistic side to China’s global engagement.
An Ode to the ‘Space Jam’ Soundtrack on Its 30th Anniversary
Thirty years after the live-action animation comedy hit theaters, its soundtrack remains iconic, but has become increasingly hard to find on streaming platforms.
Javier Milei’s Falklands Gambit
Argentina's president previously ignored the islands, but almost three years into his term, he has made them a "national cause.” More than nationalist fervor, this reflects an opportunistic bid to harness popular discontent and push through authoritarian legislation.
After the Midterms, America Is Getting Politicians Who Live Like Me
The recent successes of Muslim progressive candidates like Abdul El-Sayed, Adam Hamawy and Zohran Mamdani are symptoms of the slow death of identity politics in America.
Is Syria Becoming Salafist?
The question of whether Syria is becoming more Salafist is both unavoidable and misleading. It assumes that because those who captured the state emerged from a particular Islamist trajectory, they can simply remake society in their own religious image. But political victory is not the same thing as religious authority.
Lebanon’s Cannabis Farmers Are Still Outlaws
Six years after Lebanon legalized cannabis for medical and industrial use, growers in the Bekaa still farm outside the law, waiting on licenses that can’t be issued and an amnesty that has been suspended.
Houthi Missiles Force Postponement of Saudi Asian Cup
Missile attacks on Riyadh have forced the tournament to be delayed until December 2027. The postponement is a setback to the kingdom’s sports push, which was already being hit by a shrinking economy.