The sudden collapse of the Syrian regime on 8 December has brought Syria’s fragmented armed groups to a crossroads. Leading this effort is the new…

In the early 1920s, Umm Kulthum left her rural Egyptian village for Cairo, where she began performing concerts. Back home, she had built a network of…

The surprise late November offensive in Syria that—within a matter of days—brought decades of al-Assad rule to its knees was a welcome change for the…

Friday, 17 January 2025, will be remembered for a ceasefire deal struck between Hamas and Israel in the Gaza Strip, facilitating a major hostage…

While the wars in Ukraine and Gaza were the dominant foreign policy issues being debated on the presidential campaign trail, Trump often cited…

Singer and songwriter Umm Kulthum’s voice marked the launch of Egyptian radio in 1934, but the radio stations did not have her all to themselves: the…

Many assume Donald Trump will return to more-or-less conventional politics now that he’s back in the White House—albeit with his signature charisma…

As the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas offers an end to the 15 months-long conflict in Gaza and talks of reconstructing the devastated…

Since her passing half a century ago, Egyptian singer, songwriter, and actress Umm Kulthum has remained a cultural icon, never far from discussion…