The Big Story
Longform features and investigations on the technologies and forces shaping the region.
THE ESCAPE ISSUE
YouTube Star AboFlah Made Streaming His Life. He Wants His Kids to Live Offline
AboFlah talks about his new goals, streaming for charity, and when it's time to log off.
The Big Story
This Social Media CEO is Sick of the Algorithm
Upscrolled’s founder Issam Hijazi says algorithms were built to make you addicted to social media platforms. Now he’s trying to build one without them.
Security News
Hassan Akkad Released After Detention in Post-Assad Syria
Hassan Akkad, once jailed by Assad, returns home only to face detention again over a viral campaign demanding accountability.
Invisibile Labour
Over 600,000 Syrian Refugees Have Left Lebanon. Nobody Knows the Economic Cost
Lebanon can estimate how many refugees are leaving. It cannot accurately measure what their departure means for its economy.
Digital Deen
Meet the Accidental Editor-in-Chief of Muslim Media
Ameer Al-Khatahtbeh was just trying to find an outlet for Muslim news. Now he has more than 12 million followers.
THE LAUNCH ISSUE
Our First Print Issue Is Here. It's About the Future, And Who Gets To Shape It
In the AI era, being connected is more crucial (and complicated) than ever before.
Humane Tech
You Cannot Trust AI, Says Cisco's Global Innovation Officer
To benefit from AI, billions still need internet access, says Cisco’s Guy Diedrich – and humanity may matter more than ever.
GETTING HANDSY
I’ve Covered Robots for Years. This One Is Different
From sorting chicken nuggets to screwing in light bulbs, Eka’s robotic claw feels like we’re approaching a ChatGPT moment for the physical world.
SILENT DAMAGE
Black Rain Fell on Tehran. Then the Real Damage Began.
From toxic smoke and oil spills to rising emissions, poisoned soil and damaged ecosystems, war can reshape the environment long after the fighting stops.
Crisis Response
“We Were Not Ready for This”: Inside Lebanon’s Improvised Crisis Infrastructure
As nearly 1.3 million people are displaced, Lebanon is tracking aid in real time – but the system reveals a deeper problem: the country is managing a modern crisis without the digital infrastructure it was supposed to have.
Infrastructure War
The Infrastructure War in the Gulf
Airstrikes are no longer just about bases and weapons. Across the Gulf, the war is hitting cloud networks, energy systems and water supplies, turning everyday infrastructure into strategic targets.
Fintech
With One Million Displaced, Lebanon Turns to Digital Wallets for Aid
Amid mass displacement and collapsing trust in institutions, digital wallets are becoming critical conduits for aid, connecting diaspora donors directly with communities on the ground.
EDITOR'S LETTER
Who Gets to Be Safe in the Age of AI?
Technology has become a tool of war, but it is also a tool of resilience.