The Iraqi poet and recently appointed director of the Arab World Institute in Paris talks about stones, the overlap between diplomacy and literature, and what gives him 'the spirit of life'
Whether viewing the aeroplane, a symbol of freedom, as a death sentence, or pleading for the black sky to turn into milk for children to drink, poets cry out to the world for help.
Poets such as Badr Shakir al-Sayyab, Salah Abd al-Sabour, Khalil Hawi, and Mahmoud Darwish were said to have been influenced by Eliot; we examine the depth of this inspiration.
What remains of the legacy of the great Iraqi poet Badr Shakir al-Sayyab? Ali Mahmoud Khodir revisits the eventful life of the late poet as told by his son
Instead of civil war between armed groups, a new kind of war is being fought over Libya's vast wealth—especially control of the central bank and oil production
The ancient village dates back to 500BC and served as a major trade hub and urban centre in the Arabian Peninsula that connected other prominent civilisations
The price for a desired re-engagement with the West is being paid all over the Arab world, where Tehran's militias are at work, and Gaza's plight is reduced to a bargaining chip in power games
A colossal infrastructure project costing $17bn has not yet enticed Beijing. Cost, security, uncertainty, and alternatives are just some of the reasons. So, will Baghdad bag its Beijing sponsor?