Learn more about Global Voices switch away from “Middle East & North Africa”.
Stories about West Asia & North Africa
Power, myth, and the personal: A conversation with Iranian-American artist Shiva Ahmadi
"I draw deep inspiration from the narrative elements of Persian miniature painting. This quality inspires me to use metaphor and narrative to reflect on contemporary issues in today’s world."
After 466 days of war, a ceasefire is declared in Gaza, to begin on Biden’s last day in office
Gaza’s ceasefire brings temporary relief after wide accusations of genocide against Israel, raising urgent questions of justice, rebuilding, and future peace prospects.
What challenges do Syrian refugees face after resettlement?
Gerald Gass, German Hospital Association, warned of the repercussions of the return of Syrian doctors “who played a fundamental role in preserving health care, especially in hospitals in small cities.”
Namesakes in Gaza: Carrying the martyrs with us in diaspora
The first time I checked, in November 2023, there were 19 of me killed — later that number grew to over 50 known killed Safas, ranging from ages 1 to 82.
The complex nature of Turkey's relations with Syria
Since 2016, Turkey has launched series of military operations in northern Syria with the goal of securing its southern border from Kurdish forces and establishing a 'safe zone' for Syrian refugees.
Turkey's environmental activist is among BBC's 100 inspiring and influential women
Experts say while climate change or excessive weather conditions may have had a role to play, environmental disasters were the result of poor planning and incorrect decisions at government level.
Artificial Intelligence Narratives: A Global Voices Report
Our Data Narratives research delves into discourse about data and artificial intelligence in five countries: Sudan, El Salvador, India, Brazil, and Turkey.
West Asia and North Africa in 2024: Turmoil, transformation, and trauma
As the world turns its gaze to 2025, the genocidal war on Gaza continues. Lessons of this year must not be forgotten nor should the people of Sudan, Syria, Lebanon, Yemen and elsewhere.
Turkey’s main opposition political party protests the detention of its elected mayor
According to documentation by local civil society, since 2016, the ruling government has removed over 140 mayors, replacing them with government appointed trustees.
Finally, a future of hope after 54 years of a tyrannical dynasty in Syria
We Syrians know this victory did not come easily. It is the result of years of sacrifices by martyrs, freedom fighters, and voices of activists who refused to be silenced.
Saydnaya: In Syria, a legacy of pain looking for an honorable cleansing
"For those of us who cherish the beauty and history of the town of Sydnaya, its prison’s notoriety has been a painful stain on a proud identity."
Abandoned in the Sahara: Is Algeria turning the desert into a migrant graveyard?
Forced to cross the Sahara, migrants grapple with extreme heat and climate disasters. Amid EU-backed deportations, their plight reflects a global failure to safeguard human rights and dignity.
Bringing ‘Pateh’ to the world: Sara Qashghai’s artistic reinterpretation of Iranian needlework
Collaborating with local artisans, Qashghai expresses her emotions and social concerns through thread, combining personal narratives with traditional techniques and bringing Pateh into the global art scene.
In Turkey, women's march marked with violence, arrests as well as threats of deportations
As in previous years, bans on public gatherings, roadblocks, heavy police presence and subsequent violence did not go unnoticed.
Somaliland and Somalia: Competing narratives in the Horn of Africa
An overview of the competing narratives that surround the relationship between Somalia and Somaliland in light of Somalia's forthcoming seat at the UN Security Council
‘A woman’s voice is a revolution’: Digging into Algerian feminist radio creations
An exploration of the sonic and creative production of the feminist movement in Algeria, between radio, podcasting, and social media.
Can mobile medicine solve the health crisis in Morocco’s remote villages?
Advanced communication technology is allowing medical services to be provided remotely, ensuring equal access to treatment and contributing to the democratization of healthcare in Morocco.
Togolese expert Kofi Sika Latzoo explains the video game industry's impact on the African economy
The creative economy provides jobs across several sub-sectors, including music, art, cinema, and video games, which generate millions, even billions, of US dollars.
Hostile hosts in African football: The Nigeria versus Libya scandal
TotalEnergies, the headline sponsor of the AFCON tournament, has faced criticism for using sportwashing tactics to obscure its exploitation of African resources and contributing to climate challenges on the continent.
From Egypt to Libya, migrant deaths in the Mediterranean are either ignored or normalized
As migrant deaths in the Mediterranean go unreported, local organizations often handle recovery alone, reflecting the region's silent crisis and a system that fails those fleeing hardships.
Iranian artist Korosh Ghazimorad redefines calligraphy through tradition and innovation
"I aim for an expression that challenges the viewer's mind, inviting them to reflect beyond the surface meanings of the lines while preserving the authenticity of calligraphic art."
About our West Asia & North Africa coverage
