Al Majalla spoke to several female intellectuals from the troubled country's diaspora to gather their views and perspectives on the latest violent crisis raging in their homeland

Does the chance of acclaim change the motivation of writers? Can stories win awards without conforming to the requirements of prizegivers, or does the ceremony just distract from the creative process?

This is the third IS leader to have been killed in 14 months — placing the leadership of the worldwide jihadist movement under serious and unprecedented strain

Why Washington prioritised shutting down the embassy and sending its staff home over helping US citizens escape the dangerous situation unfolding in Sudan

Though attacks have become more sporadic, local populations in some areas of both Iraq and Syria continue to feel threatened by the group

Whoever emerges the winner must meet certain expectations and understand that backsliding into Islamism is not acceptable or the conflict is at risk of reigniting once more

Power dynamics in Middle East are shifting. After Saudi Arabia's moves to normalise relations with Iran, Syria has choices to make over differing efforts to bring it out of isolation.

With the war in their country not yet entirely over, people there are seeking solace by wearing a new face, perhaps as a distraction from lingering suffering

With more than 15 million Syrians in need of aid an agreement to resurrect oil production may be the answer with Libya setting the precedent

Erdoğan has a lot to lose if he is not re-elected. Therefore, he is willing to do whatever it takes to make sure this doesn't happen.