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Israel, Pariah State
Presidential hopeful Rahm Emanuel recently warned Israelis that they’ve become a pariah state, with most Democrats and even the majority of American Jews pulling away over the country’s policies. But Israelis seem unable to accept that the Gaza war is the reason their international image is at an all-time low.
Nam Cao’s Revolutionary Tales
While little known in the West, Nam Cao’s short stories remain widely read in Vietnam. They dissect a society and people undergoing dramatic upheaval, and are inseparable from the political consciousness that led him, via the Communist Party and the fight for independence, to his death in 1951.
Hany Shenouda, the Maestro Who Modernized Egypt’s Music
From Al Massrieen to Amr Diab, the composer, producer and bandleader Hany Shenouda helped transform Egyptian music, launching some of the Arab world's biggest stars and creating a soundtrack that continues to resonate far beyond the country that produced it.
Rahul Gandhi’s Dramatic Arrest Has Boosted His Chances of Taking on Modi
A dramatic confrontation outside Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s residence has reshaped Rahul Gandhi’s public image, with political observers saying the once-dismissed opposition leader is now being viewed as a serious challenger.
The Many Versions of JD Vance
JD Vance’s new book, “Communion,” is at odds with both his public persona and the Vance of his bestselling “Hillbilly Elegy.” Behind the contradictions, one senses the vice president laying the foundations of a future bid for power.
Morocco’s Government Is Cracking Down on Rap
The arrest of Moroccan rapper Mehdi Black Wind is the latest episode in a crackdown that has made the genre a central battleground for free speech in the country.
The Protests Gripping India — and Rattling Modi
Mass demonstrations that began over exam scandals and student suicides have transformed into the largest challenge to the prime minister’s authority for years. They signal that frustration with his government now extends far beyond any single issue and may mark a turning point for India’s politics.