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
The shows go on amid tensions this festival season in Lebanon Music, art, and religious festivals, large and small, have become summertime staples in Lebanon, providing entertainment and generating tourist dollars. Lebanon
Israel, Hamas work quietly together on development projects for Gaza Though they pretend not to be communicating, top Israeli and Hamas officials are working together via Egypt and other channels to advance development plans for the Gaza Strip. Palestine
Would Israel limit use of plastic disposable tableware? Israel's Finance Ministry is considering taxation of disposable dishes and tableware to curb the enormous use of plastic in the country. Israel
Protest by mothers turns up pressure on Turkey's HDP Turkey’s main pro-Kurdish party has found itself under mounting political and social pressure as Ankara tries a new counter-terrorism strategy focusing on severing links between the it and the Kurdistan Workers Party. Turkey
Meet the rocker whose music revives Turkey's quirky history Taner Ongur's music explores curious incidents from the dusty pages of modern Turkish history. Turkey
Moroccan sex 'outlaws' protest criminalization of sex outside marriage Following a Moroccan journalist's arrest for an alleged abortion and extramarital sex, thousands have signed an online petition to end the state's criminalization of sex outside marriage. Morocco
New Turkish hotel combines modern architecture, Roman mosaics Ancient Antiochian mosaics and ruins are securely housed and on display inside a luxury hotel-museum in Antakya. Turkey
Artists take a look at lost history and bright future in Beirut Beirut's annual art and design fairs focus this year on past and future through the eyes of modern artists. Lebanon
Israel’s Liberman tries instigating a secular revolution The very fact that matters of religion and state became the main issues in the Sept. 17 election could help to resolve them. Israel
Petra bus attack exposes divisions within local Jordanian community A recent attack on a tourist bus in Petra seems linked to ongoing tensions between the Bdoul and Layathna tribes, who compete with each other for revenues in Petra’s souvenir and tourism hospitality economy. Jordan
Dead are last to leave ancient Turkish town before submerging In a grim postscript, former residents of the town Hasankeyf are relocating the remains of the dead before the unique settlement dating back 12,000 years is engulfed by water from the construction of a dam. Turkey
Beirut municipality fails, again, to preserve green spaces The destruction of one of Beirut’s last green spaces, as well as the eviction of several startups, points to the government's disregard of the public sector. Lebanon
