Asfar was established for two key reasons. First, to promote interest in the Middle East in a full range of subjects, beyond politics and international relations. Second, to encourage aspiring writers; photographers; thinkers; editors; and others to develop their skills and promote their talents on an accessible platform – an online journal. The e-Journal is … Continued
Energy, and the global demand and reliance on fossil fuels, is at the heart of many environmental debates. Scientists are continuously trying to find new, cleaner methods of producing the energy needed to sustain our current lifestyles. However, in discussing the importance of this need, the environmental concerns of the oil-producing states are often overlooked. … Continued
Lebanon is one of the smallest Mediterranean countries in the Middle East. With a population of over 4,224,000 people and 18 different sects/ethnicities, there is little wonder that in many ways it unlike any other Middle Eastern state. Elsien Van Pinxteren, and George Mghames toured rural Lebanon in 2010 in search of it’s forgotten past.
The Syrian uprising has dominated Middle Eastern news headlines for the last 18 months. International audiences have viewed the conflict through an “Arab Spring” paradigm, which simply paints rebel fighters against a corrupt dictator. However, the systematic torture and murder of children by the Al-Assad regime separates the Syrian conflict from regional generalisations. Torture of … Continued
The autumn of 2010 saw the small gulf state of Oman united in celebration. It marked the 40th anniversary of the accession of Sultan Qaboos to the throne, the moment at which Oman’s steady march towards modernisation began. Distinguished guests such as Queen Elizabeth of Great Britain and King Abdullah of Jordan attended the festivities: … Continued
I have always been fascinated by the history of alchemy, especially in connection to the Middle East: from its conception, its development from Ancient Egyptian times, to the early Islamic world and finally its decline in the 12th century onwards. What has particularly amused me, in my studies of alchemy, has been people’s ideas of … Continued
Larissa Normanton, a student at the University of Cambridge, studying Arabic and Middle Eastern studies, spent her ‘Year Abroad’ in Oman. In October 2011, at the beginning of her year in the Sultanate, Larissa paid a visit to the Wahiba Sands in the Sharqiyya region. These pictures depict a uniquely Omani cultural event called al … Continued
When I return home I always drink from the same mug. It has the perfect dimensions, squatness, distance between handle and mug. But more than anything, scrawled on its body are the words ‘Medical Aid for Palestinians’. I’m not Palestinian by origin, but I cannot shake its resonance. A connection to the Middle East has … Continued
When in Lebanon, it does not take long for one to encounter one of Beirut’s more controversial topics: Solidere. At first sight, the downtown area seems to have a soothing effect as you drive out of the areas that still clearly show the scars of war with bullet holes in their walls, serving as a … Continued
The Algerian War of Independence, and the tactics employed by both sides throughout the conflict, influenced the wars that would follow, such as that of Vietnam. One of its hallmarks was its extensive use of guerrilla warfare, but to what extent was this unique combat tactic truly central to the nationalist cause and its success? … Continued
Published by AsfarEurope in London, UK - ISSN 2055-7957 (Online)