How the Iran Hostage Crisis Changed International Journalism
On November 4th, 1979, Iranian militants took over the U.S. Embassy in Tehran. They seized 63 Americans, a number later ...
How European Empires Helped Shape the Hajj
Despite the Hajj's celebration of ascetic faith and brotherhood, there has always been plenty of profit made off the pilgrims traveling to Mecca.
The Fantastic Disaster of the Arabia Felix Expedition
The Danish expedition to the Arabian Peninsula of 1761-1767 was a bungle of mismatched egos and wretched conditions. There was only a single survivor.
Could Youth Unemployment in the Middle East Be Dangerous?
Nearly half the population in the Middle East is under 25 years old, and their unemployment rate hovers at a staggering 30%.
Will Engagement in the Middle East Change China?
Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah visits China this month, marking China’s increasing involvement in the Middle East. China has long had a Muslim minority group.
The Dead Sea Scrolls: Still Unscrolling
The Dead Sea Scrolls, discovered some 70 years ago after 2000 years in the desert, have had a controversial and conflicted life.
A Fragile Balance in Iran
While US sanctions on Iran reinforced the importance of domestic trade and production, Rafsanjani's policies ultimately empowered the middle class.
The Map That Created The Modern Middle East
The Sykes-Picot remade the Middle East for British and French control. A century later, their legacy is a disaster.
Afghanistan’s Ancient and Beautiful Minaret of Jam
The Minaret of Jam, located in Afghanistan's Ghur province, provided a vantage point for the call to prayer. It remained hidden and forgotten until 1886.