Lebanon
The First Arab Indie Label
The rise and fall of the Baidaphon music label is a story of entrepreneurship and inventiveness, spanning countries at a time of global upheaval, and of love and friendship among Arabs and Jews amid growing racism and antisemitism. But above all, it is the story of the Baida family.
The Last Stronghold of Sufism
While Sufi practices in Lebanon’s cities have dwindled under pressure from Salafists, rural Akkar remains a bastion of mysticism. Across its villages, Sufi congregations host centuries-old “zikr” prayer ceremonies that center on music, dance and joy.
Riding Lebanon’s Purple Buses, From Tyre to Tripoli
In Lebanon, amid ongoing war and economic collapse, a surprising new public bus network is connecting the capital Beirut with distant Tyre, Tripoli and beyond.
Four Decades After His Imprisonment, France Can’t Stop Fighting Over Georges Abdallah
“Once a terrorist, always a terrorist?” The question has hovered over Georges Abdallah during his four decades in prison — not least because many do not believe he ever was one. With his release, France is once again fiercely debating what his incarceration means.
The Hiking Trails Reshaping Lebanese Tourism
A grassroots ecotourism initiative in Lebanon is using hiking trails to reconnect fragmented communities, revive struggling local economies and reshape the country’s image amid renewed regional conflict.
The Devastation of Lebanon’s Southern Border Towns
Months after Israel’s withdrawal from most of southern Lebanon, many border villages remain largely uninhabitable. New Lines reports from the ground on the immense destruction, lack of basic necessities and continuous strikes that prevent residents from returning.
Why a Candid Conversation From 55 Years Ago Has Scandalized the Arab World
Rare audio of a candid conversation between Egypt's Gamal Abdel Nasser and Libya's Moammar Gadhafi in 1970 has scandalized the Arab world in recent days, ultimately revealing more about contemporary Middle Eastern politics than history.