Latest
Theft by Abdulrazak Gurnah — A Review
Gurnah's new novel, "Theft," is a post-colonial exploration of Tanzania, immigration and the relationship between Africa and the west.
Missiles and Rhetoric — a Tehrani Reflects on the “12-Day War”
A writer in Tehran surveys the wreckage after 12 days of missiles, bombs and rhetoric flying between Israel and Iran.
Repression and Resistance in the Work of Artist Ateş Alpar
Defying a pervasive climate of self-censorship in Turkey, Kurdish artist Ateş Alpar grapples with cultural assimilation, historical erasure and methods of state control.
July World Picks from the Editors
Literary conversations, films, exhibitions, and concerts … TMR World Picks run the gamut …
TMR 52 • Freedom to Read
Centerpiece
“Space Imam”—a story by Hassan Blasim
A story excerpted from Hassan Blasim’s forthcoming collection entitled "The Buried," to be published at the end of the year.
Featured Artist
Syria and the Future of Art: an Intimate Portrait
Following the banishment of Bashar Al-Assad, Syrian artists are starting to return and exhibit new work at home and internationally.
Poetry Markaz
Nasser Rabah on Poetry and Gaza
Gaza's senior poet Nasser Rabah presents two poems from his first collected works in English, new from City Lights.
Pramila Venkateswaran presents Two Poems
A poet and sage voice in international literature, Pramila Venkateswaran straddles two worlds, bringing together South Asia and America.
TMR Interviews
Interview: Joe Sacco on Gaza
Joe Sacco uses his graphic storytelling in "War on Gaza" to reflect on the events in the Gaza Strip since October 7, 2023.
23 Hours Inside State Dept. Press Briefings on the Gaza Genocide
The curator of the "Art of the Palestinian Poster" exhibition interviews two documentarians on their film "A Bunch of Questions With No Answers."
Latest Essays & Fiction
Victor Hugo and Islam: A Literary Bridge Between East and West
Victor Hugo’s way still guides those building bridges across languages, faiths, and histories in a time of fear.
Reading Between the Lines of Land
Trekking through the diverse terrains of Britain, Norway, and Saudi Arabia, a geologist embarks on a journey of self-discovery and reconnecting with her roots.
Arab Writing in French: Claiming Space and Language
The “francophone” term limits books to the “Francophonie” section in French bookstores, and forces authors to focus on identity.
“Waving at the Sky”—a story by Nahla Karam
Two women on the mend in the hospital, one a wife and mother, the other pining for a lover, both dream of a better life.
Are We As Free To Read Books As We Think?
We're not quite at "Fahrenheit 451" where books in pyres are burned in public, but our freedom to read faces significant threats.
Architecture and Political Memory
In Iraq, buildings don’t simply reflect ideology — they absorb it, transmit it, and sometimes resist it. Especially when left unfinished.