Reportage
Bringing Down the House
African music continues to gain global recognition, with more artists now reaching international audiences. Social media and collaborations with Western performers have contributed significantly to this rise. But the success comes with challenges, like unfair royalty distribution and a struggle to maintain cultural authenticity.
A Diplomatic Tightrope
When Chad’s longest-serving president, Idriss Deby, died in 2021, his death exposed the complex web of foreign alliances that sustained his rule, especially his close ties with France. Now his son, Mahamat Idriss Deby, is asking French troops to withdraw, signaling a new era in Chad's international relations.
Pakistan Is Losing Its Glaciers to Climate Change
With over 7,200 dotting its three mountain ranges — the Hindu Kush, the Karakoram and the Himalayas — Pakistan is home to the most glaciers outside the polar regions. Due to climate change, they are melting rapidly, creating unique challenges.
MAGA Zionism and Its Discontents
A growing number of American Christians are eager to turn a prevailing Zionist theology and associated pro-Israel policies on their head. They might be dismissed as outliers for the moment. But the fringe has somehow repeatedly found its way to the center in American politics.
Three Stories From the Night the Syrian Regime Collapsed
The Syrian regime’s fall just over a month ago was met with excitement, joy, trepidation and anxiety. Three Syrians speak of the complex emotions they felt on that fateful night.
The Challenges Facing Syria’s Alawites
A provocative video showing the burning of the al-Khasibi shrine in Aleppo sparked outrage in Syria's Alawite community, amplifying sectarian fears and leading to protests. As the Assad regime crumbles, Alawites face poverty, displacement and an uncertain future.
The Bawdy Rai Music of Oran Reflects the City’s Pluralist Past
Bawdy and subversive, with a history and lyrics that speak to Algeria’s pluralist past, Rai music flourishes in the Mediterranean port city of Oran while its superstars have built international reputations.