A Syrian Surgeon and Novelist Returns to a 'Country Once Called Syria'
Khalil al-Neimi Exposes What Tyranny Has Done to His Homeland
‘Beirut… the Fragility That Guards Memory’
Syrian Novelist Samar Yazbek Perceives Lebanon’s Identity as Shaped by Openness Rather Than Stability
Samar Yazbek’s analysis of Beirut aligns with that of a political and cultural historian, uncovering previously hidden and lesser-known aspects of the city. In her analysis of "Beirut... The Fragility That Guards Memory,"* published in The New Arab, Yazbek assumes the roles of historian, political scientist, and chronicler of the city, uncovering the lesser-known aspects of the Lebanese capital's modern history.
Dismantling the Politicization of the Veil:
Samar Yazbek on Syria’s Oppressive History of Manufacturing Female Vulnerability
The questions of freedom and equality remain on the minds of many Syrians as the country navigates not only change, emerging from the Assad regime’s decades-long grasp, but also the recent tragedies of the coastal massacres. Liberating the country from tyranny extends beyond resolving its systemic judicial and political issues, but must also be re-examined from a fundamental human rights perspective.
Societal Perceptions on Gender and Marketability Shaped by Trends and Jury Preferences — A Disappointing Future for Literary Prizes
Not a year goes by without the same discussions questioning the authenticity of literary prize culture in the Arab world. Since its inception in 2007, the International Prize for Arabic Fiction (IPAF), often referred to as the Arabic Booker Prize, has been the subject of scrutiny among literary critics and authors. Ghazlan Touati's article "The 'Booker' and Arab Women Writers...
The Bleeding Hearts and Hopes of Migrants Beneath a ‘Sky the Moon Cannot Cross’
Novels about the migrant experience do not shy away from the brutal, heartrending hardships that come with the journey, whether the struggles of reaching their destinations or finding stability after arrival.
Breaking the Silence on Syria’s Prison Discussion: Can ‘Museums of Silence’ Become a Symbol of Survival and Remembrance?
A reader may wonder why I am so captivated by prison literature. Personally and professionally, I have had to address this valid question with deep conviction, as it lies at the heart of Middle Eastern and Arab studies. Yet, I find it challenging to offer a concise answer for several reasons. One stems from my doctoral research on Syrian politics, where the themes of prisons and prisoners featured prominently.
Syria’s Sectarian Strife Woven with Twisted Fortunes and Cruel Ironies
What occurred on March 6 off the Syrian coast has long been anticipated following the downfall of the Assad regime. However, it unfolded several weeks later. The accurate prediction of violence on the Syrian coast did not require exceptional foresight but was tragically Pavlovian. The defeat of Assad's forces, primarily supported by the Alawites, at the hands of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a Sunni Muslim-dominated group, had set the conditions for a sectarian conflict. "Syria: Fear vs.
Recent Sectarian Conflict Awakens Syrians to Imaginary and Non-imaginary Narratives About Themselves and Others
Narratives are powerful forces. When Syrians wake up after each conflict to proclaim or revive a narrative, they are, as Fadwa Abboud argues in her article "The War of Syrian Narratives" (published in Al Modon newspaper), "continuing their wars by other means." Abboud contends that Syrians are both victims and architects of the stories they tell about themselves. These narratives often evolve into tales of victimhood, shaping political and cultural growth through socialization.