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Candidates for the Miss Iraq beauty contest pose in front of the iconic Isthar gate at the ancient site of Babylon on December 17, 2015. (AFP/Ahmad al-Rubaye)

June 24th, 2016 - 02:26 GMT

Is there still an Iraq?

Despite it all, there is still a semblance of national cohesiveness in Iraq; a photographer's ode to Socotra Island; and helping the traumatized children of Aleppo heal.

A Muslim woman prays during a Friday prayer service. (AFP/Alex Wong)

June 8th, 2016 - 04:03 GMT

An LGBT Ramadan

A Sharia lawyer speaks to prisoners at a temporary Islamic court set up in a rebel-controlled town outside Aleppo on September 5, 2012. (AFP/Achilleas Zavallis)

June 6th, 2016 - 04:09 GMT

Laws of war, laws of religion

P'titim, an Israeli pasta dish supposedly developed during the food shortages following 1948, bears striking resemblance to Palestinian maftoul. Acknowledging the crossover means acknowledging the ways that the occupation has shaped regional culture, writes Jonathan Katz. (Flickr Creative Commons/Lucas Richarz)

June 2nd, 2016 - 04:56 GMT

What this Israeli pasta dish tells us about history and the occupation

Egyptian security forces stand guard in front of satirical graffiti on the walls of the Presidential Palace in Cairo. (AFP/File)

May 25th, 2016 - 04:53 GMT

Egypt's sense of humor under threat

Waves crash into a Lebanese flag during a storm. While scores of young Lebanese are scrambling abroad for better opportunities, perhaps the key to a better future is to stay home, writes Anthony Elghossain. (AFP/File)

May 10th, 2016 - 04:00 GMT

Goodbye, Lebanon

Saudi Arabia's young deputy crown prince Mohammed bin Salman, known by diplomats as 'Mr. Everything,' is behind Vision 2030, a set of sweeping reforms meant to steer the kingdom's economy away from reliance on oil. (AFP/File)

May 5th, 2016 - 05:10 GMT

Saudi Arabia's 'Mr. Everything' - a chance encounter

Though Jewish-Muslim relations in Morocco have not always been ideal, Israeli peace activist Ron Berlitz reflects on his trip to the country, where there may be signs of reconciliation. (Flickr Creative Commons/Antonio Cinotti)

April 19th, 2016 - 03:58 GMT

For Jewish-Muslim partnership, look to Morocco

Syrian children play a football match in Jordan's Zaatari refugee camp on July 6, 2013. (AFP/Khalil Mazraawi)

April 17th, 2016 - 04:00 GMT

Syrian women fight wartime blues with football

A screenshot from the video game 1979 Revolution: Black Friday. (YouTube)

April 12th, 2016 - 04:49 GMT

Playing the Iranian Revolution