Middle East

A boy sits atop someone's shoulders as people celebrate the first anniversary of the overthrow of the Assad regime on December 8, 2025 in Damascus, Syria. © Chris McGrath/Getty Images

Syria: Joy and Sadness

In this week’s update, read about Syrian joy and sadness on the first anniversary of the fall of the Assad regime.

12 Dec 25

People wave flags and take photographs as they celebrate the first anniversary of the overthrow of the Assad regime on in Umayyad Square December 8, 2025 in Damascus, Syria. © Chris McGrath/Getty Images

“Was Syria Worth This Price?”

On the anniversary of the fall of the regime, our joy is mixed with bitterness and our laughter with tears.

12 Dec 25

Launch of the Syria Prisons Museum at the National Museum in Damascus, September 15, 2025. © Prisons Museum

Syria - From Silence to Memory

Read about the new Damascus museum memorialising the heartbreaking stories of those who suffered in the country’s prisons.

14 Nov 25

Seyran Akbal employs four women at the tandır she opened 12 years ago. © Fatma Nur Polatcan

Turkey: Keeping the Tandırs Burning

For local women, baking this traditional bread is heritage as well as livelihood.

22 Oct 25

Marie Colvin in Tahrir Square. © Ivor Prickett/AFP/Getty Images

Marie Colvin’s Legacy

How iconic war reporter Marie Colvin's legacy is supporting women journalists throughout the Middle East.

10 Oct 25

People remove possessions and inspect their homes following Israeli airstrikes on April 13, 2024 in Khan Yunis, Gaza. © Ahmad Hasaballah/Getty Images

Recognising Palestine

Implications of a fresh wave of unilateral recognitions of the Palestinian state.

12 Sep 25

Israeli soldiers holds a machine gun as he is standing on an armoured personnel carrier near the border with the Gaza Strip on September 7, 2025 in Southern Israel, Israel. The Israel Defence Force are in control of over 40% of Gaza City after mounting a new offensive, levelling buildings in the neighbourhood. Prime Minister Netanyahu announced Israel's intention to seize all of the strip after peace talks with Hamas broke down in July. © Amir Levy/Getty Images

Netanyahu’s Never-Ending War

The Israeli leader’s virulence against Palestinian statehood has extended even unto undoing the building blocks of his own state.

12 Sep 25

Pigeons fly as people inspect the remains of a destroyed building following Israeli bombardment in Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip on October 18, 2023. © Mahmud Hams/AFP via Getty Images

Palestine: European Recognition Without Results

The Europeans already have the tools to sanction Israel for violations, but still refrain from taking meaningful action.

10 Sep 25

People watch the military parade on February 17, 2022 in Pristina, Kosovo. A decade after the 1998-99 war between ethnic Albanian rebels and Serbian forces, Kosovo declared independence from Serbia on February 17, 2008. Today Kosovo is recognised by over 110 states, fewer than currently recognise Palestine. © Ferdi Limani/Getty Images

Kosovo and Palestine: Diverging Self-Determination

Though united by aspirations for independence, they ended up in opposite geopolitical camps.

9 Sep 25

A pro-Palestinian activist waves a Palestinian flag at the National March for Palestine rally on August 24, 2025 in Canberra, Australia. © Hilary Wardhaugh/Getty Images

Is Recognition of Palestine the Pressing Issue?

States have a legal obligation to stop genocidal acts against civilians, whether or not they belong to a recognised country.

8 Sep 25

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