In its public statements, the Syrian government has long supported the Palestinian cause. In reality, the Assads sought to stymie the PLO, whose famous leader, Yasser Arafat, never trusted Damascus.
Al Majalla obtains exclusive minutes detailing PLO official Faruq al-Qaddumi's account of Arafat's final days and why he believes the Palestinian leader was assassinated
As students in Cairo in the 1960s, al-Qaddumi and Yasser Arafat founded the Palestinian Fatah movement and worked with Nasser. To his dying day, he refused to go back home under an Israeli permit
The PLO chairman now knows that he must leave Lebanon as his fighters are surrounded by the Israelis. The Syrian president is no friend, but agrees to take them in.
With an eye on the Lebanese presidency, the Phalange commander and sworn enemy of Syria sends secret messages of 'reassurance' to al-Assad. Meanwhile, Damascus refuses to host PLO fighters.
US envoy Phillip Habib proposes a plan to facilitate the PLO's exit from Beirut. Meanwhile, the Phalange party vows to end Lebanon's 'three occupations'.
It is June 1982, and Beirut is surrounded by the Israelis. In the city, there are Syrian soldiers and Palestinian fighters from Yasser Arafat's PLO. The Israelis want them both out. Cue the diplomacy.
Al Majalla begins its five-part series revealing never-before-shared details of Israel's 1982 siege of Beirut and exchanges between Hafez al-Assad and Yasser Arafat
Al Majalla examines the repercussions of Hamas's attack on Israel, which set into motion a series of significant changes and power shifts in the Middle East
Only 4% of 119 members selected in the indirect vote were women, and only two Christians, sparking concerns about inclusivity and fairness. Meanwhile, voting was postponed in Druze and Kurdish areas.
Trump may be willing to accept global isolation to keep supporting Israel, but at some point, he may conclude that he isn't getting enough from Netanyahu in return
The famed painter (1869-1954) found both himself and the inspiration he needed in two visits to Tangier in the early 20th century, the effects of which are still very evident.