history
The Arabs of Hyderabad
From royal guards to entrepreneurs and wrestlers, Hyderabad’s Yemeni-origin community has navigated the collapse of princely rule, the violence of 1948 and life in independent India, preserving its identity and reinventing itself in a changing city.
Fragments of Al-Andalus
A growing movement in Spain’s Andalusia argues that everyday gestures and half-remembered prayers are the unwritten remnants of Muslim Iberia, and an answer to the far right’s narratives about national identity.
How the Strait of Hormuz Became the World’s Most Contested Waterway
From the Portuguese conquest of 1507 to the end of British policing in 1971, various powers have tried to control the narrow channel between the Persian Gulf and the Indian Ocean.
The ‘Third Gulf War’ And Its Aftermath
Iran stoked conflict abroad for 40 years to avoid ever fighting at home. But the end of American restraint set off a cascade that led to the ‘Third Gulf War’ and the likely hollowing out of the regime.
The Surprising Roots of Italy’s Food Festivals
Italy’s “sagre” or food festivals have less to do with ancient roots and more to do with modern politics than many now realize. From fascists to communists, politicians have long sought to use these celebrations of cuisine and locality to construct political identities.
The Long Shadow of the Iran-Iraq War
The Iran-Iraq War cast a very long shadow, one that looms over the current conflict and continues to influence the strategic culture of the Islamic Republic. It created a siege mentality and the idea of “faith and firepower.” Weeks into the current war, Iran has not run out of either.
The Russian Complex: Why China’s Ties to Moscow Run Deeper Than Politics
While the Sino-Russian partnership is typically viewed through the lens of hard power, it also stems from a shared history and a strong cultural enmeshment. From literary affinities to architectural imitation, from fashion trends to shared pedagogical models, Russia’s imprint on modern China is deeper than headlines suggest.