The enormity of the human tragedy that has engulfed Syria since March 2011 cannot be underestimated. Tens of thousands have been killed, perhaps a million imprisoned and abused . Mothers have lost daughters and sons, brothers have turned on brothers. Millions have been displaced or made refugees . Amid all the chaos and uncertainty, one thing is crystal clear — the country will never be the same again. Peace remains elusive, even as new proposals are put forth from all sides. The current U.N. envoy to Syria, Lakhdar Brahimi ...

In the competitive world of celebrity, wannabe stars the world over will do almost anything to get ahead in the fame game. For young hopefuls trying to make waves in the Arab celebosphere, risque roles and scandalous scenes can be a fast-track ticket to the spotlight. By turning up the heat with nudity, steamy love scenes and even girl-on-girl action, these hungry wannabes show they’re prepared to go the extra mile to land that elusive breakthrough role. But after making a name for themselves by causing controversy , these same ...

Seven years after he first slipped into a coma, former Israeli prime minister, Ariel Sharon, has begun to show evidence of brain activity . Those on watch for signs of life have been disappointed before when, two years ago, a report was released suggesting Sharon was stirring from his slumber. However, according to Israeli scientists, the ex-general is now demonstrating ‘normal brain activity’, a significant change on his vegetative state. Although a hero to many Israelis, Sharon has been no friend to the region’s Arabs . Known variously as ‘Bulldozer’ ...

It is January 2011 and a wave of optimism is hitting the region as Tunisian dictator, Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, is ousted from his throne. The people’s pro-democracy demonstrations have taken over and the old tyrannical dinosaurs of Egypt and Libya are quick to follow. But there is no chance of democracy without the post-revolutionary election and sadly for the rest of the Arab world, not all elections are made equal. So while the Arab Spring nations were racing to the polling booths to show their support for a ...

From Mubarak's militant dictatorship, to SCAF's militant army rule, to Morsi's arguably militant Islamic takeover, has the Egypt of today under the new regiment of Morsi produced the new world people sacrificed for? Two years ago on Friday, Egyptians began a revolution that toppled long-time dictator Hosni Mubarak, leading to the election of an Islamist president who has since faced his fair share of criticism. Deep political divisions remain, and Egyptians continue to protest against many of the same conditions that sparked the remarkable scenes in early 2011. The new ...

With elections looming, many Israeli politicians have been looking to rant about Iranian nuclear attacks and push on with settlement building. The all-important right wing Zionist vote is the key to success and Israeli PM, Binyamin Netanyahu, knows it. But Zionism is not the only story at the Jewish state’s polling booths and liberal voters are keen not to ignore the elephant in the room: Palestine. Sadly for them, the First Lady of the Left, Tzipi Livni, has been mired in more scandal than an Islamist politician , leaving them ...

Jordan: a country where over 13% of the population live below the poverty line and gas price increases recently sparked mass protests across the Kingdom. The financial crisis has hit deep into the pockets of the ordinary Jordanian but not so for the politicians running the country, apparently. With elections looming, candidates have been out in force, setting up their palace-like tents and serving lavish platters of food to anyone prepared to vote for them. No need for austerity measures for these tribal heads as their “families” of 800 or ...

To much of the western world, the Middle East is seen as a dangerous region with serious crimes and terrorist activity that make it a threat to itself and the rest of the world. But we've uncovered a lighter side to the villainy in the region that is less Bin Laden , more Bugsy Malone . Last year, the Mideast’s miscreants tried their best to dodge the law by making their criminal plans weirder and wackier than ever before. From turbocharged panties to snakes on a plane, confused cops across ...

Much like their Hollywood counterparts, raking in the big bucks with ever-so-slightly embarrassing advertizing deals in the far east, desperation is leading many a former celebrity to jet off to warmer, more inviting and less judgmental climates. Still riding high on the waves of their one hit wonders from the 90s, or even earlier, these Western has-beens are prepared to do just about anything keep their slimy grip on the edges of fame. They might be the slightly less famous sibling or the once loved now universally mocked former pop ...

As the debris from the revolutionary storm to power has begun to settle on the new Islamist forces that be, we cast an eye over the region’s religious revolutionary guard to assess how those untouchable bearded arbiters of the state are getting along. From the shadows of their erstwhile underground stations, while Arab dictators ruled them, to rehabilitated positions as leading lights to steer post Arab Spring states , the climb to their high horses has been a reply to repression, and a long time coming. Still, society is keen ...

The Russian winter swept through the deserts and up the Mediterranean coast of the Middle East in the last few days, causing havoc on roads and shutting down government services. The storm brought strong winds, torrential rains and deep snow to parts of Jordan, Turkey, Lebanon, Syria and Palestine. At least 11 people were killed in the Levant storm, which caused panic-buying of basic staples like bread. Heavy rains that preceded the snow storm flooded parts of Jordan, where the government locked down and a state of emergency was declared ...