Syria
WORLD
Double Bind: Struggle in Syria Between Foreign Peace and Domestic Clashes
As diplomats in Paris weigh the price of peace with Israel, the shelling in Aleppo serves as a lethal reminder of the domestic fractures haunting the new Syria.
BUSINESS
Rails Across Continents: The Orient Express and Hejaz Line Revived
Two legendary railway lines, one in Europe and one crossing the Middle East, are being restored in 2025, proving that infrastructure can tell stories across time.
Gaza War
The Real Test of the Abraham Accords: Ceremony vs. Reality
As Washington celebrates a diplomatic photo-op, with the Abraham Accords, middle powers are redefining the Middle East map on their own terms.
Exhibitions
The Near East in the Louvre: Time Held in Stone
In the Mesopotamian galleries of the Louvre, lions still guard doorways and musicians still play for gods who fell silent thousands of years ago.
WORLD
Syria: Latest Visit Hints at Russia’s Return to Syria
Syria’s new president Ahmed al-Sharaa meets Putin in Moscow, signalling a pragmatic reset as Russia seeks to rebuild influence in the Middle East.
Popular
Gen Z Picks Up a Needle: Sewing’s Unlikely Digital-Age Revival
As sewing workshops filled up and repair videos accumulated millions of views on TikTok in late 2025, younger people began turning to analog craft in growing numbers, citing everything from screen fatigue to fast fashion guilt.
Too Many Captains, Too Few Ships: Britain’s New Right
The digital hype of millions of views on X could not mask the lack of a real foundation as competing leaders fought for control over a fragile Britain’s New Right.
Ireland’s Basic Income for Artists Becomes Permanent
As Ireland confirmed in February 2026 that its Basic Income for the Arts scheme would become permanent, creative work moved closer to public infrastructure than private risk.
How Rob Jetten Reclaimed the Dutch Centre
After a season of political chaos, the Netherlands' youngest premier has shown that the centre can hold when it offers real paths forward.
Rats Take Selfies: What One Art Project Says About Life Online
French artist Lignier trains rats to take photos, revealing how reward systems mirror social media conditioning and online performance
