Morocco
Vietnam’s North African Defectors
Hundreds of conscripted Moroccan soldiers defected to join the Viet Minh during the French Indochina War, then stayed in Vietnam to build their lives — until the Americans came, and they were forced to flee to a home they hadn’t seen in decades.
The Amazigh’s Unusual Alliance
For decades, Morocco’s Amazigh population aligned itself with Israel in a form of solidarity against the Arabization of the region. Now, in the face of the war in Gaza, some Amazigh Jews are rethinking these long-standing ties.
At the Epicenter of Morocco’s Earthquake, the Search for Survivors Is On
The race against the clock to find those trapped is on, but the remote location, the terrain and the power and data cuts that the quake caused are wreaking havoc with the efforts. New Lines arrived in Asni late on Saturday, just as residents were bracing for a night sleeping outdoors. Of the houses left standing, many had deep cracks in the walls, threatening to collapse at any moment, particularly if an aftershock came.
Morocco Legalized Cannabis, but Divvying Up Profits Is a High Bar
After criminalizing cannabis farming for six decades, in May 2021 the Moroccan Parliament reversed course, passing a law that lawmakers hoped would open a new era when farmers and the state would collaborate to capitalize on the country’s cannabis potential, worth an estimated $15 billion, for pharmaceutical purposes.
Women’s Rights Groups in Egypt and Lebanon Take Aim at Saad Lamjarred
The joint campaigns may not succeed this time around, but that doesn’t change the undeniable fact: A shift is taking place in the women’s rights sphere in the region, one that diversifies the means of holding sexual offenders accountable for their crimes.
The Emotional Complexity of Morocco’s World Cup Success
Yet the visceral nature of the emotional response to Morocco’s campaign cannot be denied, the feeling that something deeper than simply belonging to the Global South is at play.
Atlas Lions’ Eyes Burn Brightly, but Their Future May Be Dark
Around 100 captive Atlas lions with a genetic connection to the Moroccan royal collection remain around the world. Can we emulate the lion’s courage and bravery to save it from extinction? Instead of being a mere memory, the animal belongs to a breathing, living world. It can be saved with timely action.