Lebanon
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4th Qalandiya International art exhibition
Showing for Palestinian solidarity
The fourth Qalandiya International exhibition opens with shows in the West Bank and Gaza, but also in Lebanon and Germany, crossing borders the Palestinians themselves can't pass. By Sarah Judith Hofmann
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What triggered the Middle Eastern revolts in 2011?
The economics of Arabellion
Syrian historian Nasser Rabbat argues that the Arab Spring resulted mainly from social imbalance and the misery of large sections of the population within the Arab world. Moreover, as long as economic inequality persists, these states will continue to be plagued by instability
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"Modern Art in the Arab World: Primary Documents"
Pioneering volume or seminal work?
A book of texts on modern art in the Arab world is causing a furore. It has been put together by the New York Museum of Modern Art. Now it has been launched – and discussed – in Beirut. By Lena Bopp
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Interview with Lebanese-British satirist Karl Sharro
"Politicising Muslim identity is counter-productive"
Lebanese-British satirist Karl Sharro, with his alter ego Karl reMarks, is a fast-rising star of online comedy. Now he has published his first book, "And Then God Created the Middle East and Said ʹLet There be Breaking Newsʹ". Interview by Susannah Tarbush
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Civil wars in the Middle East
The Arab issue of kith and kin
However they may appear in their early stages, Arab civil wars are wars between kinsfolk. The social group becomes partisan, whether sectarian, tribal, party political or ethnic. Whatʹs more, argues Morris Ayek, Arab civil wars have no end
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Arab dictatorships in crisis
The Middle East's militia mentality
A militia mentality has gripped many Arab states. Today it seems that the regionʹs authoritarian regimes are resorting to methods more commonly associated with gangs and armed clans, says Kuwaiti analyst Shafeeq Ghabra.
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Syrian refugee children
Urgent action required
Eight years of war in Syria have meant eight years of children being permanently exposed to violence. Many of them have been forced to leave their homes and now live in southern Syria, Jordan or Lebanon – often in precarious conditions. By Dagmar Wolf
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The demise of Daraa, former rebel stronghold
At the mercy of Assadʹs troops
While Berlin was contemplating secure borders, the Syrian regime embarked on its next campaign to exacerbate the suffering of refugees. To Syriaʹs President Bashar al-Assad, they are nothing more than a weapon. By Bente Scheller
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Syrian-Philippino rapper Nasser Shorbaji
Hip-hopping between generations
Nasser Shorbaji, aka Chyno, has been active on the Lebanese hip-hop scene for more than eight years now. His trademark sound is anti-war, against the dispossession and enforced exile of people in the region. It is a message that has influenced many younger generation musicians – a group he is particularly keen to encourage. Interview by Tugrul von Mende
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Palestinian refugees in Lebanon
"I've never forgotten Palestine"
In May 1948, Israel declared its independence. Palestinians such as Hafida Khatib refer to this moment as the "Nakba" (catastrophe). Hafida and her family fled to Lebanon, a country that has never felt like home. Diana Hodali reports from Burj el-Barajneh south of Beirut
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Election fallout in Lebanon
Co-operation is key
Although the Hezbollah-led coalition won the recent elections in Lebanon, the result also makes it clear that political exclusion is in no-oneʹs best interests. Memories of the nation’s own civil war are still too vivid. By Karim El-Gawhary
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Interview with Lebanese director Reem Saleh
One big family
At Germanyʹs recent Berlinale, the Lebanese director Reem Saleh presented herself as the great hope of Arabic-language cinema with her first feature-length film "Al Gami’ya". Interview by Ahmed Shawky