Life as an opposition politician wasn’t easy under ousted Egyptian dictator Hosni Mubarak . Airing your thoughts publicly was liable to get you a short stint in prison at the very least. But taking on the role of ruling the country is a different kettle of fish altogether, as Muslim Brotherhood President Mohamed Morsi is finding out. With the world’s press following his every move, this ‘man of the people’ is struggling with the proper etiquette as he hobnobs with the great and the good. From ball-scratching to finger waggling ...

Far from the European faces of Israel and the ongoing struggle for Palestine, the Middle East’s Jews are starting to make a comeback. With the creation of Israel more than half a century ago, communities that had been thriving in places like Morocco and Syria were forced to make a hasty exit before their Muslim and Christian countrymen turned on them. But there are signs of hope for a return of Arab Jews to their homelands, with Iraqi Jews making public pleas to their government and the ‘Jews of Egypt’ ...

For the first few weeks of dire auditions and tuneless wannabes , fans thought the judging panel might be the only ones with the X Factor on the second season of the hit talent show. But as the series has moved on, special guests from around the region have appeared on screen , threatening to upstage the likes of judges, Wael Kfoury and Elissa. With big names like Saudi crooner, Mohammed Abdo and Egyptian rap star, Ahmad Mekki, all stopping by to get their faces on screen, fans are wondering ...

Mother’s Day in the Middle East is a time for people across the region to celebrate and appreciate the women who brought them into the world. Without a grey hair in sight, this year celebrity moms in the region have managed once again to balance the pressures of parenthood with the demands of fame. But while those starry moms are out at the latest fashion event or film premiere, most mothers are have to concern themselves with the more serious side of life. Standing by their children, Arab mothers have ...

In the ten years since the US-led invasion, Iraqi society and culture has changed dramatically. In part two of Al Bawaba’s retrospective on the last decade , we look how society has responded to the invasion and the almost daily violence that has followed. From a continuing ‘brain drain’, leaving academia understaffed, to vicious attacks on the ‘emo’ community, killing up to a hundred people. As Iraq’s residents become more and more used to the violence, social problems have become endemic. But within the the murky depths of sectarian violence ...

The 10th anniversary of the US-led invasion of Iraq falls on March 20. Ostensibly, the US and UK invaded over fears of Saddam Hussein's weapons of mass destruction - or Donald Rumsfeld's 'great unknown's-but it was to also impose regime change after President George Bush put Saddam in his so-called 'Axis of Evil' . In just over three weeks, coalition forces arrived in Baghdad, after intense aerial bombardment, aka 'shock and awe', an effort to knock key command and control centers of the Iraqi military. As troops reached the capital ...

Two years ago, a group of children scrawled anti-government messages onto a wall in Syria's southern province of Dara'a. This act of youthful rebellion landed the youngsters in jail. Their continued incarceration and a palpable sense of revolution in the Arab air led a few hundred local people onto the streets to protest. The crowd swelled and soon numbered thousands. Syrian security forces attempted to quell the protest with force, opening fire and killing four people. The peaceful protests that followed were met with violence, escalating into a civil war ...

With the second anniversary of the Syrian uprising on the horizon , images of the horrors of war are everywhere. But in the midst of the bloodshed, some figures have emerged as the more handsome face of the revolution. Whether they’re a once great Syrian soap star , now trying to earn a crust in Egypt or Lebanon, or a chiselled jawed rebel soldier, they are the poster-boys of the 2-year uprising. Every revolution needs its figurehead and these are some of the greats that have inspired a nation to ...

For a small town in the North of Syria, Kafranbel has made a big name for itself internationally . While the nearby city of Idlib has seen some of the worst bombings of the Syrian conflict, the young men of this town have maintained their sense of humor. Always sarcastic and sometimes dark, their messages to the outside world show their astute understanding of the powers at play in the Syrian war . Kafranbel activists not only react to the war within but also to the news stories around them ...

On 8 March, International Women’s Day marks a time for the world to celebrate its fairer-sex. While promoting women’s rights and celebrating females everywhere, the annual event importantly puts ‘girl power’ into the spotlight. In a region often associated with female oppression, the day is particularly important for the Middle East. Not content with living in a man’s world’s, the region’s fearless feminists have been fighting for power and winning! From becoming influential politicians, to scandalous stars and thought-provoking writers, these courageous ladies have torn down barriers to excel in ...

The latest series of X Factor Arabia might have only kicked off last month but round one of the show has already crammed in enough thrills and spills to last a series. With four of the Arab celebosphere’s favorite divas on the judging panel, everyone knew there would be fireworks in store. But no one could have anticipated the tears and tantrums that the first two episodes have already delivered. From shocking disses, to walk-outs and star-quality flirting, the X Factor judging panel are pulling out all the stops to ...