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Stories about West Asia & North Africa from November, 2016
“The End is Near”. “Remember What We Sacrificed”. Dispatches from Eastern Aleppo.
"I direct my message to Syrian activists [...] I ask them to send out our message that we have sacrificed for and keep on sacrificing."
Experts Cast Doubt on Tunisia’s Biometric Identification Bill
Digital rights advocates and Tunisia's Data Protection Authority are voicing concern about the bill. At present, Tunisia does not require government authorities to obtain court approval before accessing citizen data.
From Tehran to Manhattan, One Fashion Shoot at a Time
Had fashion photographer Kourosh Sotoodeh pursued his profession in Iran, he might well have been among those arrested in recent crackdowns. Luckily for him, he made it to New York.
In Iran, the Kurdish Struggle Remains in the Shadows
The Kurdish struggle remains one of the most compelling storylines of the Middle East. The Kurds of Iran are active, but often ignored by the international community.
A Bahraini Mannequin Challenge Tackles the Country's Stereotypes
"In this clip, we do not mean one section [of society]. We mean all of you, all of society."
Lebanese Prime Minister Hariri Bans Photojournalist for this ‘Unofficial’ Photo
Hussein Baydoun was barred from photographing the PM after this image was published. Photographs he took during last year's ‘you stink’ protests against government corruption were featured in numerous outlets.
Sleeping or Dead – Part 4: “We Declared It a Revolution For Freedom”
"For them our triumphant chants for freedom have been a sort of rape, and now is their chance for revenge."
I’m Qatari, and I Want to Be Able to Decide For Myself Who I Marry
"My marriage changed me. It took my outside my bubble, and made me question our culture’s values."
Love Trumps Hate: The Week That Was at Global Voices Podcast
This week we start in the US, where Omar Mohamad narrates his piece "America I used to love you", and then we take you to Cuba, Syria, and Taiwan.
Eastern Aleppo Health Director: Due to Systematic Attacks Against Hospitals, All Are Now Out of Service
As the Syrian regime and Russian government continue their assault on besieged Eastern Aleppo, the Aleppo Health Directorate announced that all remaining hospitals in Aleppo are out of service.
A Mother’s Fight for Her Son Exposes Lebanon’s Institutionalized Sexism
Fatima Ali Hamze was arrested for refusing to give up custody of her son, sparking what could signal a new women's rights movement in Lebanon.
The Uphill Battle of Protecting Syrian Antiquities Amidst War
"In every military faction, including the regime’s army, you find a group involved in facilitating excavations and smuggling operations."
Sleeping or Dead – Part 3: Thought is the Crime
"Even if they don’t torture you, the mere act of waiting does. Have they forgotten us? Are we going to stay in here forever? Why haven’t they called us today?"
The World According to Russian Stereotypes
RuNet Echo explores popular stereotypes about foreigners gleaned from autocomplete suggestions generated by the website Yandex, Russia’s most popular Internet search engine.
Omani Film Critic Sentenced to Jail Over Facebook Posts
"As long as there is a human being exploiting a human being, there are revolutionary dreams, and dreams make the future."
Smog Engulfs Tehran—Again
Iran's capital is under its annual smog warning, and hardliners are claiming the failed Rouhani administration are slowly killing its citizens.
UN Chiefs Chat Trump, Climate Change, Migration, and Water with Global Voices
Work tackling some of the world's most pressing issues should continue, regardless of the new US president-elect's positions on them.
Beirut Begins Destroying the City’s Last Public Beach
The people of Beirut were shocked this Saturday, when images of the city's last public beach, began circulating on social media, showing the site being destroyed by heavy construction equipment.
Sleeping or Dead – Part 2: Aghiad's Blue Jacket
"He pulls the chain till we are hanging by our hands, toes barely touching the ground. You’re mid-way between sky and earth, presented as a sacrifice of blood."
Possible Trump Cabinet Members’ Links to the MEK Cult Could Spell Trouble for Iran
A Donald Trump presidency and the closeness of some of the president-elect's key allies with the militant group MEK could mean a worrying shift in the US position on Iran.
Turkey Continues to Arrest Kurdish Politicians, Restrict Internet Use
"What was done tonight is not only a coup but also an operation to separate the country!"
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