The real target of the explosions near President Macron's hotel was the idea of a new, open, trading Syria. The most effective response? To press on with the visit and move towards the future

Egypt is cracking down on informal gold prospectors as it seeks to maximise the economic potential of its mining sector and attract new investment

The Arab world has a vibrant and rich literary scene. Al Majalla picks out some choice titles in our fortnightly round-up of the latest Arabic books

Another 70 lawmakers have been picked by the president, creating a chamber of just over 200. Are these MPs pliable and subservient, or do they have teeth? That is now an important question for Syria

As war continues to erase the physical landscape of Gaza, the Palestinian artist turns to photography, testimony, and digital media to preserve the city's human fabric

The beautiful game cuts across class and conflict, changing relationships and communities. Al Majalla looks at its depiction in Arab literature

The US wants to revive talks on Ethiopia's Nile dam, but another strategic contest between Addis Ababa and Cairo has emerged in the Red Sea, which could complicate reconciliation efforts

The dominant family in Libya's east tried to take the capital by force in 2019 but were thwarted. Could a son's carefully planned succession soon lead to the same outcome?

Under US tutelage, Tel Aviv and Beirut have agreed to work together to disarm Hezbollah and gradually replace Israel's army with Lebanon's in the south

In Menoh Fih and Qishr al-Bayd, the Egyptian oud player absorbs from his Eastern heritage a sense of freedom in handling, play, and improvised surprise