A pact signed by Iranian Premier Mohammad Mosaddegh and Syrian President Fawzi Selu quickly soured after the two leaders were toppled. Relations remained icy until Khomeini came to power in 1979.

A diplomatic initiative led by US envoy Amos Hochstein to separate Israeli and Hezbollah "Radwan" special forces appears to be falling short, and time is running out

The former journalist and thriller writer tells Al Majalla what inspires him to depict the reality of the Middle East and the wars that have gripped the region

The Lebanese armed group is trained and equipped much better than Hamas

Muhammad Shia al-Sudani is hoping to help Turkey's Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Syria's Bashar al-Assad mend fences, yet it is precisely the issue of fence security that means he will struggle.

Nada al-Azhari's 'An Arabian in Iran' shows how the country's people have been cut off from the region by the regime. Full of insight into daily life, it captures a sense of post-imperial turmoil

The refugee crisis in Africa's third biggest population is causing both economic and social problems, with rent prices up and job opportunities down. Resentment is growing, as are calls for controls.

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.