Built a century ago by Ala's grandparents, her 97-year-old uncle Aziz still lives on the third floor of this grand sea-facing property that developers would love. Instead, it is now a public space.
Al Majalla speaks to the artist from Aleppo, who says Syria's civil war has dimmed his hope for the future but that painting the ocean helps calm his anxiety
For over 30 years, Hassib has spent his days in his studio near Damascus, creating art without fuss, noise or pretence. He speaks to Al Majalla about using the light of colours to fight the darkness.
In what could be a historic turning point in US-Syria relations, the new government in Damascus will likely join the international coalition against the Islamic State (IS)
On Monday, the Syrian president shook hands with Trump at the White House. Speaking to Al Majalla, a former State Department official explains why this is a moment she could have never imagined.
The 34-year-old socialist's win is a seismic development, proving that tax rises for the rich to fund social programmes, and unwavering advocacy for Palestinian rights, are politically viable stances
Those who are able to bury their dead are among the lucky. For others, not knowing the fate of their missing loved ones or receiving mutilated corpses impossible to identify adds insult to injury.