Latest Stories
Sep 12, 2016
Soaring Food Prices Make Muslim Holiday Meatless for Many
The holy days of Eid al-Adha include the ritual slaughter and sharing of fresh meat. But many Egyptian families can't afford it this year
Sep 6, 2016
Inside the Syrian Dust Bowl
The Assad family’s favorite international development organization tried to turn Syria into an agricultural powerhouse. Its failure sparked a civil war.
Aug 10, 2016
ISIS IS DIGGING UP NAZI LAND MINES IN EGYPT
Even at the height of summer, when the upper crust of Cairo descends on the nearby Mediterranean coast, the world’s largest open-air armory is a bleak place. With up to
Jul 28, 2016
How the American Civil War Built Egypt’s Vaunted Cotton Industry and Changed the Country Forever
The battle between the U.S. and the Confederacy affected global trade in astonishing ways
Jul 17, 2016
African farmers say they can feed the world, and we might soon need them to
Food exhibitions in the Mediterranean region tend to attract a familiar cast of characters. There are the Gulf Arab agribusinesses, looking to expand their reach, and the large-scale European farming…
Jun 25, 2016
Scientists go against the grain to make Dubai an unlikely quinoa hotspot
With groundwater stores drying up in the Middle East and staple crops under pressure, quinoa is the focus of a bold experiment to improve food security
Jun 15, 2016
Syria’s Beloved Sweet Shops Follow Its Refugees Into Exile
Civil war has scattered Syria’s bakers, pastry chefs, and restaurateurs. For the foodies—and children—in their new communities, it’s a tasty turn of events.
May 29, 2016
How to run an international airport with jihadists on the doorstep
Running a Middle Eastern airport is fairly challenging at the best of times. There are the lovesick hijackers and the
May 11, 2016
The Black Sea Is Dying, and War Might Push it Over the Edge
Surrounded by six countries, all with their own agendas, the massive body of water is at risk of becoming another casualty of regional strife