The Syrian coast has seen a younger generation of the Assad clan rise to power. Controlling smuggling routes and extortion rackets, Bashar’s cousins grew rich and powerful, at times challenging the regime itself.
On paper, Lebanon and the United Nations guarantee Syrian refugees a carefree education. In reality, the travesty requirement for official documents means less than one percent of Syrian children make it to 9th grade.
Kafka meets Orwell in Egypt’s surreal brave new world, where a like, share or post on Facebook may land you behind bars for “supporting terrorism” or “insulting the regime.” We present five case studies.
Over the past 30 years, only 12 Christians players made it into the Egyptian Premier League. A matter of deep-rooted sectarianism? Parents having other priorities? Or a bit of both?
The recent killing of a young female doctor in Cairo was no incident. It was an extreme yet logical consequence of a Stasi-like system of 1,000 eyes, in which doormen and neighbors serve as moral watchdogs over any woman who dares living alone.
“Girls, who amongst you came last?” the Palestine Branch sergeant asked loudly. “Me,” I replied. “Then you will sleep at the door,” she said. “This place is reserved for anyone whom comes last.”
