Spotlight
Memories of Yarmouk
Yarmouk camp in Damascus was long the cultural and political center of Palestinian life in Syria. Today, it is a devastated shell, a shattered monument to lost revolutions, stolen futures and the memory of home.
Laila Soueif’s Last Stand
Laila Soueif, mother of Egyptian political prisoner Alaa Abd el-Fattah, has been on hunger strike since September 2024 to protest her son's continued unlawful detention. Now critically ill, she persists, joined by Alaa himself.
The Survival of Syria’s Damask Rose
Every spring in Syria, the ancient damask rose blooms, a symbol of the country and a source of livelihoods. It has endured war and the Assad regime’s exploitation, and now faces the threat of climate change.
Egypt’s Sinai Megaproject Is Erasing Bedouin Culture
Egypt’s government is pushing ahead with a massive tourism project in the Sinai Peninsula’s St. Catherine region — a sacred, UNESCO-protected site. Local Bedouin communities and experts warn that the development is destroying heritage, muzzling dissent and displacing the Jebeleya tribe.
Saudi Arabia’s High-Stakes Bet on Gaming
Saudi Arabia is quietly becoming a global gaming superpower, investing billions in the owners of franchises like Call of Duty and World of Warcraft. The move says a lot about the kingdom’s soft power, cultural values and potential influence on a generation raised on games.
In Syria’s Desert, Palmyra Fights for Its Life
In Palmyra, residents returning after years of war face a scorched oasis, broken infrastructure and dwindling hope. The city’s revival hinges on water, tourism and aid — of which it has seen little.
The Israeli Drones Guarding Fortress Europe
Countries across the Mediterranean rely on Israeli-made drones to police their maritime borders. Those same drones are often battle-tested on the Palestinians in Gaza.