In Praise of Khaled Khalifa—Friend, Artist, Humanist
Robin Yassin-Kassab pays tribute to late Syrian writer and humanist Khaled Khalifa, who died at the age of 59.
Books
Edward Said: Writing in the Service of Life
Academic and novelist Layla AlAmmar interrogates her life's creative and scholarly achievements against the teachings of Edward Said.
Editors’ Picks: Public Intellectuals
The editors of The Markaz Review made the difficult choice of selecting just two of their go-to public intellectuals.
The Contemporary Literary Scene in Iran
Salar Abdoh reports from Tehran on the beauty and complexity of Iranian literature that thrives despite warring factions.
Reza Aslan’s An American Martyr in Persia Argues for US-Iranian Friendship
Dalia Sofer reviews Reza Aslan's latest book on American Howard Baskerville, "martyred" alongside revolutionary students in Iran in 1909.
Fairouz: The Peacemaker and Champion of Palestine
In her new book, Dima Issa argues that the influence of Lebanese vocal artist Fairouz on the Arab diaspora has been profound.
Saqi’s Revenant: Sahar Khalifeh’s Classic Nablus Novel Wild Thorns
Noshin Bokth reviews a Palestinian literary classic set in Nablus about resignation and resistance under Israeli military occupation.
Special World Picks Sept 15-26 on TMR’s Third Anniversary
TMR publishes World Picks special edition on its third anniversary, including events from Sept. 15-26, 2023.
“Sadness in My Heart”—a story by Hilal Chouman
In this newly translated novel excerpt from Hilal Chouman, the son of a civil war fighter learns about his father from a Lebanese minister.
Traveling Through Turkey With Gertrude Bell and Pat Yale
Arie Amaya-Akkermans reviews Pat Yale's latest book that follows in the footsteps of Gertrude Bell while highlighting Turkey's rich history.
Laila Halaby’s The Weight of Ghosts is a Haunting Memoir
Thérèse Soukkar Chehade reviews Laila Halaby's memoir about coming to terms with the trauma of losing her first son.
On Museums and the Preservation of Cultural Heritage
Arie Amaya-Akkermans on the history of war, colonialism, memory and how museums strive to preserve and display artifacts and art.
Books That Will Chase me in the Afterlife
Novelist and TMR's Arabic Editor Mohammad Rabie peruses his bookshelf and comes up with a tantalizing book list for the discerning reader.
Ilan Pappé on Tahrir Hamdi’s Imagining Palestine
Israeli-British historian Ilan Pappé argues that the agency and resilience of the Palestinians shines in "Imagining Palestine."
Words of Resistance: Nasim Marashi, Syaman Rapongan & Isabelle Sorente
Lou Heliot presents a portrait of three engagé novelists who make literature the locus of their resistance.