Hezbollah's debilitation presents a perfect opportunity to shape Lebanon's political dynamics by turning the army into a better-equipped and more effective US security partner

The lack of transparency threatens to derail Syria's aspirations for a democratic and inclusive future, transforming what should be a period of hope and progress into one of missed opportunities

Our fortnightly round-up of the latest Arabic books, covering a wide range of topics, reflecting some of the trends and thinking in the Arab world

1.5 billion tourists over five continents raked $11tn into the global economy in 2024, surpassing pre-COVID levels. Meanwhile, North Africa broke records as a new hot-spot destination.

After dramatic action from the central bank, an $8bn IMF loan and a $35bn development deal, Cairo aims to bounce back in the new year, but faces both familiar and new problems first

Watching Gabriel García Márquez's epic on TV as Syria awoke from its 'eternal' slumber, Assad's ouster felt like the scene the Colombian writer forgot to write in his most famous novel

'Ghost Trail' is a timely French thriller about Assad-era atrocities, revealing what went on in the regime's darkest corners and how justice can be done by those determined enough to find the culprits

The Assad family's 54-year rule over Syria has collapsed, as has the Iranian axis. In control of Damascus, HTS and its allied factions can write a new chapter in Syrian history.

The Assad family's 54-year rule over Syria has collapsed, as has the Iranian axis. In control of Damascus, Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and its allied factions can write a new chapter in Syrian history