Geir Pedersen is no stranger to Middle East hotspots, but for six years his mission in Syria was frustrated by the Assad regime. With Assad gone, the priorities are stability and inclusivity, he says

Al Majalla lays out the long and often chaotic array of leaders, military coups, and governing systems that Syria has gone through in the past century

Assad's fall means Iran loses its contiguous land corridor. Without it, 'Axis of Resistance' forces will find it difficult to work together. Meanwhile, Iran's ally, Russia, looks to be on its way out.

Speaking to Al Majalla, they explain how art functions as a lens through which to examine events and their aftermath and helps them explore connections between the personal and the collective

Tuareg rebels who have long sought to form the independent nation of Azawad have come together to fight Mali's new military leaders and their Russian mercenary friends. Will it help them?

Regime change brings an opportunity to raise living standards, which have collapsed along with the national currency and years of war. The transition of power will be key.

With a growing budget deficit, soaring military expenditure, slowing growth, big projects pulled, and inflation on the rise, Israel's economic challenges are numerous

In its public statements, the Syrian government has long supported the Palestinian cause. In reality, the Assads sought to stymie the PLO, whose famous leader, Yasser Arafat, never trusted Damascus.

Russia's claim of being a steadfast guarantor of security for allies has been dented, which could affect its expansion into Africa and Latin America and strain its ties with Central Asian countries