After the highs and idealism of 2011, this year felt more like the morning after. In 2012, the "Arab Spring" morphed into the "Syrian Winter". And the gritty reality of the struggles consuming the region became apparent. In Egypt, Tunisia and Libya Islamists came to power and the struggles of post-revolution and counter-revolutionary forces took hold. In Syria, Bashar al-Assad's forces continue to commit atrocities, and an increasingly powerful armed opposition joined the dirty war. Celebrations of those newly in power were met with protests by those wary of new ...

Nothing is more demanding than keeping up with the celebrity’s love life. Unlike ordinary types who settle down with one person, the celebrity moves from one marriage to another, often with only months to separate them . But when they do split up, the news is bigger than Gaza rockets or Syrian civil war. For the celebrity, a love lost must be splashed all over the headlines, preferably following a series of candid interviews about their own pain, the dreaded mother-in-law and some suggestion of government interference. A celebrity divorce ...

Christmas Day celebrations in the Middle East are a reminder that the region is home to some of Christianity’s oldest denominations , including speakers of the language of Jesus, Aramaic. A time to feast with family and loved ones, it is also a time of reflection during political crises and turmoil. Millions of Arab Christians have been displaced or fled the region because of wars and internal strife. It has not been an easy year for many Christians in the region, and a muted Yuletide was often the order of ...

At the conclusion of a tumultuous year in Middle Eastern politics, Al Bawaba brings you the leading political stories of the year. From Egypt’s struggle with what it means to be a democracy, and the death throes of the Arab Spring to the increasing regional impact of Syria’s civil war and Palestine’s continued to struggle towards freedom. These are the stories that shaped the region in 2012. Share your two cents on the year that launched more Arab revolutions and saw others deliberate, hesitate and hold off the fire for ...

Their movies and albums might have held our attention for a moment but the real thing keeping us entertained this year was the personal lives - or rather star-quality scandal- brought to us by our favorite celebs . For people who thought the rich and famous couldn't get any more outrageous, 2012 came as quite a shock. Embarrassing moments and celebrity slip-ups might be part of the parcel of fame but this year stars across the Arab world seemed to up the ante on controversy, bringing it to us left ...

The Arab world has traditionally looked to Egypt as a leading light in politics and culture for the region. In the time since Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi came to power in Egypt , he looked for a while like he was doing the Arabs proud again, and as he stridently called for Israel to back off the Palestinians in Gaza, it was a throwback to the era of Gamal Abdel Nasser in the 1950s. So then how did Egypt plunge into its latest round of protest mayhem? Soon after his ...

When MBC's The Voice hit TV screens across the region earlier this year, no one knew quite what to expect. The Middle East already has its fair share of talent shows with 'Idol' and 'Got Talent' raking in the ratings but makers of The Voice promised that this competition would bring something new to the table. Aimed at people with genuine musical talent, MBC promised that this was more than just your average Friday night singing competition. But with three phases to the show, from blind auditions to the battle ...

If you are 'out' as an atheist or a self-professed 'Kafir' (Arabic in an Islamic sense for unbeliever or infidel, or in some cases not-believing enough) in the Muslim or Arab world, chances are you're hiding low about it. Putting your head above the parapet is likely to invite the powers that be to come down on you like a ton of bricks. Being a non-believer is a dangerous business in the Middle East, according to a new report which has prompted the spotlight to be cast once again on ...

Nothing is more alien to celebs in the Arab world than the notion of 'aging gracefully'. For our favorite 40-plus stars when it comes to looking younger anything goes - makeup, sexy clothes and surgically enhanced faces are all part of their bid to keep the youngsters at bay and stay on top of their game. After going to such efforts to keep the looks of a 20-something, these stars have no choice but to act the age of a 20-something too. All-night clubbing, X-rated performances and relationships with hotties ...

Israel has a unique story and history – yet even as a fledgling state when its birth came about, it knew it depended on others’ support or 'stewardship' to conceive of its Zionist ambition . The forefathers said this, and now it has come to pass. Israel would not have gotten by without a little help from its friends. Whether colonial Britain or superpower US would be the one to nurse and nurture their dream, the Jewish state has always found itself in need of support. But today more than ...

Sexy, successful and scandalous, it comes as no surprise that Haifa Wehbe is the object of lust for men across the region. With two marriages and an engagement under her belt, this Lebanese diva is a hard woman to please. But that hasn't stopped wannabe suitors across the Middle East from trying their luck. Fans, celebs and even royalty have been rumored to want a piece of Haifa. Now, as a newly single lady, Haifa's love life looks set to get even hotter. Some have gone as far as to ...