A century of Lebanese documents preserve shifting identities

The exhibition “Identity Papers” uses old government documents and artworks to show how identity is created, informed and changed by official papers.

Lebanon

NGO offers Lebanon taste of lionfish in effort to contain invasive species

A Lebanese group is promoting the lionfish, a threat to the Mediterranean Sea ecosystem, as a tasty and profitable fishery.

Lebanon

Saudis’ troubled ties in region threaten Trump's anti-Iran agenda

The Trump administration is tightening the screws on Iran, but Saudi Arabia, Iran's archnemesis, may not be of help drumming up support for the US policy given the state of its current relations in the Arab world.

Legacy: Gulf

Lebanon’s interior minister pushes for prison reform amid calls for radical change

Unless broad, structural reforms to the administration of prisons and military detention centers are passed in conjunction with changes to the criminal justice process itself, the reforms announced by Lebanon’s interior minister so far will likely only have a moderate impact on the penal system.

Lebanon

Israel looks to Trump to halt Iranian nuke

Iran's announcement that it will resume uranium enrichment is causing great concern in Israel.

Israel

Lebanese LGBT salon brings out beauty in everyone

Out, Lebanon's first beauty salon catering to members of the LGBT community, was founded as a place where patrons can feel at home, not simply tolerated.

Lebanon

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

Yemen's divided parliament growing further apart

Literally and figuratively, the two sides of Yemen's split parliament are miles away from each other and show no sign of reconciliation.

Saudi Arabia

New name, same old problems: Syria talks kick off in Kazakh capital

The name of the venue for the Syria peace talks may have changed from Astana to Nursultan, but the challenges the participants faced were familiar ones.

Jordan

Israel's new army chief redefines missions, capabilities

IDF’s new Chief of Staff Aviv Kochavi is now formulating a new multiyear plan that should address threats such as the thousands of rockets fired at Israeli cities.

Palestine

Refugee children in Lebanon find freedom in art

“The Kids of Mishwar,” a recent exhibition in Beirut, gave refugee children the opportunity to express themselves through art.

Lebanon

From Aleppo to alpha male: Beirut dance fest takes on the world

Founded 15 years ago, the Beirut International Platform of Dance strives to make contemporary dance a staple of Lebanon’s artistic culture while pushing the boundaries of the art form to speak to the issues of the day.

Lebanon