Artistic heart of Iraq's Kurdistan thrives, but wants more public engagement Sulaimaniyah, often called the Kurdistan Region of Iraq’s “culture capital,” has become something of a haven for artists, though obstacles remain for the vibrant and self-sustaining artistic center they envision. Iraq
Libyan artists turn to black comedy to show youth exploitation A play dubbed “Chocolate Egg” uses black comedy to show the exploitation of young Libyans by officials to lure them into military formations. North Africa
Saudi 2030 to expand art scene in Jeddah, Riyadh With Saudi Arabia’s new social reform plan the local art scene is blooming with a plethora of cultural initiatives. Legacy: Gulf
Gaza's first female beekeeper expands apiary The enclave's first female beekeeper speaks about the challenges facing Gaza's beekeeping profession. Palestine
Can Turkish psychedelic music go global? Meet the young trendsetters spreading the word about a rich and original period of Turkish music: Turkish rock from the 1960s and 1970s. Turkey
Last Greeks of Alexandria struggle to keep their community alive The Greek community of Alexandria long considered itself one of the main actors in the building of modern Egypt, but with their number dwindled to fewer than 1,000, they are now organizing to deepen and expand existing roots by connecting more with local non-Greek Alexandrians. Egypt
Tunisian women one step closer to equal inheritance The Tunisian government recently approved a law on gender equality in inheritance, stirring mixed reactions in the country that prides itself for being the most democratic in the Arab world. Tunisia
Netanyahu, Rivlin differ on anti-Semitism in Europe Separate interviews given by President Reuven Rivlin and by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to CNN about European anti-Semitism highlight the differences between them over Israel’s attitude toward the rise of the far right in Europe. Israel
Photos of Beirut's abandoned buildings tell city's story Gregory Buchakjian photographed abandoned buildings in Beirut to document the political and economic crises that have shaped the city and the rest of Lebanon. He is currently presenting what he discovered in an exhibition, book, and film. Lebanon
Will Neolithic West Bank mask spark modern-day culture war? A Neolithic mask found in the Judean Desert is a relic from a bygone spiritual belief system prevalent in the region around 9,000 years ago. Palestine
Legal discrimination in Israel spreads to utilities, local governance The Israel Electric Corporation's announcement that it will refrain from cutting off power for delinquent Jewish customers during the Jewish holidays marks another insidious ripple effect of the discriminatory nationality law. Israel
Turkey’s Kyrgyz colony struggles to keep traditional lifestyle alive In eastern Anatolia, a village of Kyrgyz resettled from Afghanistan has become an unlikely tourism hub and a fortress of Turkish nationalism. Turkey
Hard-liners face backlash for attempted impeachment of Zarif A group of hard-line lawmakers are seeking the impeachment of Iran's foreign minister on several grounds, including his assertion that money laundering is taking place in Iran. Iran
New school raises hopes of higher education for West Bank's hearing-impaired Al Amal Association for the Deaf is set to open the first high school for the deaf in the West Bank by spring 2019, which would give hearing-impaired students the chance to continue their education. Palestine
Political vacuum in Palestine leaves fertile ground for radical groups The lack of progress in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict is creating opportunities for extremist groups to re-emerge, such as Hizb ut-Tahrir, which calls for the return of the Islamic caliphate. Palestine
