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
Israel's simple path to solving draft crisis By slightly changing an existing law, Israel could resolve its ongoing ultra-Orthodox conscription crisis and bring equality to the system. Israel
Film about Egyptian superstar a hit everywhere but Egypt In Europe, Iranian director Shirin Neshat’s "Looking for Oum Kulthum" is seen as a landmark artistic collaboration across the Middle East, but Egyptian critics are unimpressed with its historical inaccuracies. Egypt
Shocking price jump in Turkish onions makes voters' eyes water The price of onions, the quintessential Turkish staple, has shot up days before Turkey's parliamentary and presidential elections, sparking outrage that may benefit the opposition and feeding conspiracy theories left and right. Turkey
Iranian women win big in fight over right to watch soccer games Iranian women were allowed into Azadi stadium to watch a soccer game alongside men for the first time since the 1979 revolution. Iran
Meet the mysterious social media team behind Turkey's opposition candidate Turkey's most popular opposition candidate, Muharrem Ince, owes a good part of his success so far to his mysterious social media team, which granted Al-Monitor an interview. Turkey
Turkey invests in education in northern Syria Turkey's Harran University is scheduled to open a new campus in Syria, in the Euphrates Shield area, after signing an agreement with al-Bab's local council. Syria
Israel's finance minister listens carefully as citizens grumble over price of food The social protests that erupted in the summer of 2011 are still reverberating in Israel, and Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon's refusal to allow the price of milk to go up means he senses growing consumer anger. Israel
Will smaller plates help prevent Egypt's food waste? The Egyptian Food Bank has been cooperating with Egypt's hospitality industry to get surplus food to people in need, but this is only part of the huge problem of food waste. Egypt
How a tea kettle came to symbolize Turkish election opposition The Pro-Kurdish Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) and their imprisoned leader and candidate, Selahattin Demirtas, are running a positive and creative election campaign, rattling the nerves of an increasingly anxious Justice and Development Party and government. Turkey
Israeli defense minister calls for compromise on draft dispute Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman advances a compromise outline on the enlistment of the ultra-Orthodox, even though the opposition accuses him of caving in to them. Israel
Ultra-Orthodox, leftists join forces against Israeli draft Ultra-Orthodox and leftist Knesset members have joined forces and advanced a proposal to abolish Israel's compulsive military service. Israel
Displaced Syrians build new lives in Idlib Syrians evacuated from eastern Ghouta have found new life and work in Idlib, where few still rely on aid and charity organizations. Syria
