On March 15, 2011, exactly four years ago today, activists called on fellow Syrians to carry out a country-wide “day of rage,” against the leadership of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. By now, international attention to the conflict has turned almost entirely to tracking the gains and reprehensible antics carried out by Daesh in northern and eastern Syria. But there’s a lot more going on. T he Syrian government still carries out near-daily bombings on rebel-held areas across the country. Meanwhile, a mixed-bag of anti-government fighters are combating one another as ...

How are you doing on those New Year’s resolutions? Have you bailed on healthy eating? Lose that new gym membership card yet? Decided that love handles are in fact, lovable? Rise up, Lazarus! We have a few events that could lure you off the couch. The Middle East is increasingly becoming a travel destination for tourists looking to test their endurance (for serious athletic prowess or plain silly play) by participating in an increasing number of racing events that cover a range of sports beyond footraces. Last year, Al Bawaba ...

They say when in Rome, do as the Romans do! The same applies to good old Arabia. But perhaps some visiting Western pop stars didn’t get that memo before jetting off to our end of the globe or referencing our region in their lyrics. Although you can strut your stuff in a bikini on the beach in Dubai or a mini LBD on Beirut’s corniche, certain things just can’t be done in our fairly conservative countries. Yes, we’re talking to you Justin Bieber ! Don’t get us wrong, we love ...