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
Turkey's favorite TV cop returns, but not to Turkish channels The renegade Behzat C was Turkey's favorite cop for half a decade. Now he's back, just not on Turkish TV. Turkey
Egyptian, international artists explore complexity of Middle Eastern identity in Cairo The Cairo Biennale has resumed after an eight-year hiatus, bringing together international and Egyptian artists to take on identity in the Middle East. Egypt
Nostalgia for 19th-century Pera meets modernity in Istanbul exhibit Cosmopolitan Pera, with luxury hotels and entertainment venues, was the recreational heart of 19th-century Istanbul, which an exhibition at the Istanbul Research Institute revisits along with a cultural addition that could have been. Turkey
Cairo to build new site for culture but will artists and fans come? Egypt has announced that it will build a state-of-the-art culture city by mid-2022, but it remains unclear whether it would attract artists and art lovers. Egypt
With 'Chernobyl,' Iranians talk other people's nuclear problems, for a change The miniseries “Chernobyl” is a big hit in Iran and has sparked a debate between conservative and Reformist media about the alleged politics and messaging behind the production. Russia
Jordanian censors try to put 'Jinn' back in the bottle "Jinn," a youth drama that takes place in a private high school in Jordan, has opened a Pandora's box on morals and censorship. Jordan
Loss, fragmentation on display at the Palestinian Museum "Intimate Terrains," the current exhibition at the Palestinian Museum, displays works by artists from different generations united in their sense of longing, loss and nostalgia. Palestine
Bleak Ramadan TV season depresses Egyptian viewers What is traditionally a light-hearted roster of Ramadan entertainment featured heavy themes of death, revenge and tragedy this year. Egypt
Will Egyptians pay to WATCHiT? WATCHiT, Egypt’s homegrown response to Netflix, is under fire from Egyptians who resent the fees it charges, artists who resent its monopoly and hackers, who've challenged its security. Egypt
Award-winning book narrates migration in five letters Hoda Barakat's "The Night Post," which tells the story of five Arab migrants, won the International Prize for Arabic Fiction amid controversy. Lebanon
Local Israeli authorities lose a little freedom on Independence Day With local governments paying increasingly exorbitant prices for performers to entertain on Independence Day, Interior Minister Aryeh Deri has introduced a cap in pricing to take effect in 2020. Israel
Why first intifada is back on Middle East art scene In conjunction with a new exhibition, founders of the Palestinian contemporary art scene met in Beirut to discuss how the political events of their time influenced their work. Palestine
