Why did the Met Opera lose its Saudi funding deal? The deal, announced as a nonbinding memorandum of understanding last September, would have seen the PIF inject up to $200 million into the opera institution over the next eight years. Saudi Arabia
Analysis 'Is it worth it?' Syria's Sharaa faces backlash over Missy Elliott performance Backlash erupts after dancers perform to Missy Elliott’s “Work It,” exposing the tightrope between Sharaa’s outreach to the West and pressure from his Islamist base. By Amberin Zaman Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
Culture The weight of war: Erdal Duman’s sculptures probe politics of violence As missiles cross again Middle Eastern skies, Turkish artist Erdal Duman’s brightly colored weapons ask an uncomfortable question: When does war really begin? Turkey
Culture 'Gesture of resistance': Gaza war and Iran repression in Oscars spotlight This year’s Oscars nominations include Middle Eastern films whose themes of war, government violence and protest have shone a spotlight on politics at home. Iran
Iran's hard-liners force controversial film off screen A controversial movie about an honor killing has been removed from Iranian theaters after pressure from infuriated hard-liners. Iran
Israel's Oscars pick explores mind of Rabin's assassin Nearly a quarter century after Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin was felled by an assassin’s bullet, a new film exploring his killer’s motives is generating controversy, and garnering acclaim, in Israel. Israel
Art, urban planning rejuvenates Central Anatolian city Eskisehir combines restored Ottoman-era homes with new and hip museums, bars and galleries, attracting people from all over Turkey. Turkey
Why Picasso continues to inspire the Levant Picasso-Mediterranee, a two-year project highlighting the rich ties of the 20th century’s prodigal painter to the Mediterranean, concludes with exhibitions in the Levantine port cities of Izmir and Beirut. Lebanon
Can Egypt sweeten deal for small beekeepers? Egypt organizes its first beekeepers festival, but small producers wonder whether their presence will make a buzz. Egypt
Why these Egyptian artists are telling Cairens to take deep breath At the "Tea Time with My Lungs" exhibition, three young artists explain with art the importance of just taking a deep breath. Egypt
Iconic Turkish film festival returns with fanfare in its original name Adana's previous mayor had changed the name of the festival to the International Adana Film Festival, removing the symbolic Golden Boll from its name, thus offending the city's residents. Turkey
It's off to the races in Lebanon, in drag The popularity of 'RuPaul’s Drag Race' has injected new life into Lebanon’s drag scene, whose performers bring unique cultural elements to the drag tradition. Lebanon
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
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
Beirut photo festival offers analogue experience in digital age The Beirut Image Festival, in its first year, is providing a forum for young photographers raised on the digital imagery of social media to get a taste of the art of photography by exhibiting their works in venues alongside veteran photographers. Lebanon
Coexistence converges at film festival in Iraqi Kurdistan The films at the Duhok International Film Festival in Dahuk, Iraqi Kurdistan, show how conflict and trauma are hallmarks of collective memory in the region, from Tunisia to Palestine to Iraq. Culture & Society
