An important institutional body with an 8-year term, this collection of ageing and sclerotic clerics is meant to wield real power by overseeing the Supreme Leader. In practice, they simply nod along.

The ruling Conservative Party is light on detail and aspiration, beyond the sale of weapons, while the opposition Labour Party has more to say on issues like Iran and Palestine.

Several big parties are to stand again in the national presidential election on 7 September after concerns that recent votes have been the rigged rubber-stamping of a preferred candidate.

The prolific author and pioneering literary critic has a rich creative legacy spanning over five decades. He tells Al Majalla why art should stay faithful and how his work has embraced the future.

Faced with protests, allies' criticism, and international arrest warrants, the Israeli PM is exploiting the pillars of democratic governance to entrench his own autocratic rule. Is he shrewd enough?

Just like the current situation today, foreign powers fought each other in Syria 83 years ago. This is the story of how the Allied Powers took on Nazi Germany far from the European battleground.

Jewish supremacy and democracy, two principles that portend Israel's identity, have been increasingly at odds and populists have made their choice as to which of the two they view as more important

The Egyptian novelist and Nobel laureate met an assortment of characters in Cairo's cafes, which helped him capture the vibrancy and colour of the city to great acclaim

In the midst of the Watergate scandal back home, Nixon needed a distraction. After years of isolation, his trip to Damascus on 15 June 1974 paved the way for future visits by US presidents.