End of Nations: Is There an Alternative to Countries?
Nation states cause some of our biggest problems, from civil war to climate inaction. Science suggests there are better ways to run a planet. Try, for a moment, to envisage…
140 Years of Saudi Arabia in Photographs
Here’s a pictorial reminder that Saudi Arabia has definitely evolved a lot over the past century or so. Saudi Arabia’s buzzwords of 2016 are “change” and “modernization.” So it might…
Egyptian President Promises Change to Ease Pressure
Faced with a drop in popularity, intermittent protests against rising prices, and calls for a mass anti-government demonstration, Egyptian general-turned-president Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi, is seeking to appease the country’s youth,…
Breathtaking: Farsi Album by Israeli Singer
Maureen Nehedar’s transition from Hebrew to Farsi allows her to express additional sensibilities and hues of her amazing vocal talent. Can a breathtaking experience last for six and a half…
Breaking the Israeli-Palestinian Log Jam
Discussing the current impasse in the Israeli-Palestinian dispute, a recent leader in the Jerusalem Post put Israel’s dilemma in a nutshell. “The real problem is that Israel lacks a clear…
How Many Foreign Fighters in Syria?
It is estimated that a number between 27,000 and 31,000 foreign fighters have been flocking to Iraq and Syria since the breakout of the war in 2011. An updated assessment…
The War Criminals of Syria
“It is difficult to deny that Russia is partnering with the Syrian regime to carry out war crimes.” This is the charge laid by the British ambassador to the UN,…
Mosque in Iran Makes Your Jaw Drop
Shah Cheragh is a funerary monument and mosque in Shiraz, Iran. It translates to “King of the Light” and it’s easy to understand why. The jaw-dropping interior of this structure…
Why Learn Dialect before Standard Arabic
One of the most common questions asked by learners of Arabic is ‘should I learn Modern Standard Arabic or a dialect first’? Dialect of course refers to any of the many…
Plans for Redrawing the Middle East
This article first published by GR in November 2006 is of particular relevance to an understanding of the ongoing process of destabilization and political fragmentation of Iraq, Syria and Yemen.…