Four books that explain why the world is burning

Our ancestors managed the land with controlled fires that reduced the accumulation of dry wood and vegetation. Not doing so means we now have giant fuel stores. Sometimes, the old ways are the best

Osama Esber

Behind Closed Doors

[caption id="attachment_55245031" align="alignnone" width="620"] Mother and child portrait. (Hengameh Golestan)[/caption]Hengameh Golestan’s work intimately documents four decades of life in Iran—she…

Jesse Lawrence

Maneuvering between the Obstacles

[caption id="attachment_55244973" align="alignnone" width="620"] Al-Khayal Al-Shaabi perform their Traffic dance routine during the Downtown Contemporary Arts Festival in March 2013. (Mohammed…

Ati Metwaly

My Grandfather, the Baghdadi Artist

[caption id="attachment_55244779" align="alignnone" width="620"] Hafed Al-Droubi in his studio in Baghdad in 1952. (Courtesy of Mina Al-Droubi)[/caption] Displayed in the British Museum’s Islamic…

Mina Al-Droubi

Goodbye, Beirut

[caption id="attachment_55244786" align="alignnone" width="594"] Lebanese American University of Beirut alumni. (Anwar Amro/AFP/Getty Images)[/caption]I recently read the results of a survey…

Thair Abbas

The Absurdities of Life in Palestine

[caption id="attachment_55244477" align="alignnone" width="620"] Still image from video Concrete, 2012 (Khaled Jarrar)[/caption]“I am not a political artist,” insists Khaled Jarrar, the Palestinian…

Tam Hussein

The Damascus Express

[caption id="attachment_55244234" align="alignnone" width="620"] A scene from Round Trip (Meyar Al Roumi, 2012)[/caption] His voice was soft and jaunty, with that endearing sing-song rhythm of the…

Grace Perriman

Anti-Shari'a Law

[caption id="attachment_55237457" align="aligncenter" width="620"] Flags are displayed on US Capitol as preparations continue for the second inauguration of US President Barack Obama in Washington on…

Jenna Marangoni

Presenting the Nation's Art

[caption id="attachment_55243906" align="alignnone" width="620"] Sami Mohammad, Sheikh Sabah Al-Salem, National Pavilion of Kuwait. (courtesy: Art Dubai)[/caption] Venice—the city, the name—is art…

Tara Aghdashloo

Iran Behind the Headlines

[caption id="attachment_55243830" align="alignnone" width="620"] Iranian soldiers take part in celebrations marking the 33rd anniversary of the Islamic revolution at Tehran’s Azadi Square (Freedom…

Alex Edwards

Furqan Friday

[caption id="attachment_55243269" align="alignnone" width="620"] Egyptian supporters of deposed president Mohamed Morsi wave their national flag as they attend a rally in support of the former…

Elizabeth Monier