Cappadocia’s combination of fairy chimneys, rock-cut churches, and cave dwellings make for a unique, visually stunning landscape that brings to mind a lunar surface or an abandoned film set from a science fiction movie. Through the ages, Cappadocia has been home to Persian aristocrats, Byzantine armies, persecuted Christians, and Seljuk warriors, and its storied history … Continued
Welcome to Asfar’s December 2015 e-journal edition. Understandably, the focus of this edition falls largely on the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Syria. Regular contributor Rich Quinlan looks at the debate over the refugee crisis in Europe and North America, while Jesse Delbridge takes us into the world of big data, explaining how it is being … Continued
In 2011 I was in Syria when the so-called “revolution” started, after a few weeks one thing became clear: social media would play a pivotal role in this crisis. In a country such as Syria, where information is held by a dictatorial government, social media has became fundamental in “shaping how the crisis is portrayed … Continued
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The leadership of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) understands the perils of rentier state economics and has worked diligently in recent decades to diversify its economy away from exclusive reliance on oil revenues. The Emirate of Dubai is the most striking example of this long-term push toward diversification. Billing itself as an ‘international city,’ Dubai … Continued
Despite the doubts of authorship, the Aeschylean tragedy remains the poetic source to engage in telling stories about the Caucasus. According to Ancient Greek myths, Prometheus was a Titan who defied the gods and gave fire to humanity, acts for which he was condemned by Zeus to be chained to a rock in the Caucasus … Continued
Strategically situated on the coast of the Eastern Mediterranean, and bordered by Syria to the north and east and Israel to the south, is Lebanon. Historically, Lebanon has been a fragile state, attempting to reconcile the interests of seventeen official religious sects. It is no stranger to conflict, which has been inflicted on the country … Continued
Hajj Amin al-Husseini met Adolf Hitler in 1941 and has been demonised in the ensuing historiography of Palestinian leadership ever since. The photographic evidence of the meeting is a fascinating insight. The two men sit adjacent to each other with Hitler leaning in, his hands mid-gesture in an explanative manner. The Mufti sits upright, also … Continued
The 2003 removal of Iraqi President Saddam Hussein triggered a host of changes to the state and entirety of the Middle East. One of the more positive developments within post-Ba’athist Iraq has been the steady improvement in conditions for the Kurdish population and the Kurdish Regional Government (KRG). While the internationally recognised semi-autonomous zone, Kurdistan, … Continued
During 2015, Asfar held its first EU Erasmus+ Youth Exchange programmes. Organising 4 Youth Exchanges activities throughout the year in Istanbul, Turkey; Amman, Jordan; Jerusalem, Israel; and London, UK, providing cultural learning and international opportunities for over 30 young people in 2015: to participate in inter-cultural activities; learn about the EU, citizenship and human rights; … Continued
Over the past year, Asfar’s Editors, Writers, Photographers and Volunteers, have been considering methods of developing Asfar and its’ reach to new participants and audiences in a variety of different ways. And the results of this activity, can be no better seen than in the August 2013 edition of the e-Journal. From a fascinating rhetoric … Continued
During this past summer of 2015, I, along with twenty-seven other colleagues in education from various locations around the United States, spent two weeks studying the legacy of the Holocaust by walking the grounds of seven concentration camps along with a multitude of museums and memorials. By doing so, I not only enhanced my understanding … Continued
I am currently studying on my LLM in International and European Business at the French-Romanian Juridical College in Bucharest, preparing for admission to the Bar. I have a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Bucharest too. I lived and worked in Lebanon in 2012. I am a Romanian married to a Lebanese. I am … Continued
The phenomenon of big data, both generated through online user-end activity and ‘farmed’ on a large scale for research purposes, has irrevocably become a part of the way both government and non-governmental agencies research, implement and gauge reactions to their policy choices. Within this context, the wave of discontent that began and continues to rip … Continued
Ten years on from the invasion, what has changed for ordinary Iraqis? In this double feature, we share the perspectives of two writers on what it means to live in modern-day Iraq. “Akhooya! My brother! Your little girl doesn’t seem comfortable in her shoes. I think they’re too big for her.” – “Don’t worry, we’ll … Continued
Published by Asfar in London, UK - ISSN 2055-7957 (Online)