Neil Quilliam and Alice Gower

Al Majalla reflects on this year and the first quarter of the 21st century, highlighting standout achievements, events and trends

What was cutting-edge in 2000 now sits in museums. From wires, dial-up, and fax paper to the world in the palm of your hand, tech empires have risen and fallen in just a generation.

An axis comprising Israel, Ethiopia, and Somaliland appears to be emerging, which has the potential to polarise the Horn of Africa and rapidly accelerate its militarisation

Some stories tackled contemporary life—its realities, tragedies, and evolving conditions—while others turned to the past as an escape, critically distancing themselves from present crises

Israel's ongoing violations of the truce and Trump's apathy over Palestinian grievances give little room for optimism