Middle East Research and Information Project

Critical Coverage of the Middle East Since 1971

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Art

A Note on the Cover Image — “Inherited Memories,” by Samar Hussaini.

MER Article

A Note on the Cover Image

While MER issue 313 grapples with the question of resistance to Israeli-US domination in light of a weakened regional axis, its cover centers the intimate, everyday textures of life that continue to animate the struggle for liberation. Samar Hussaini’s “Inherited Memories” works through media of acrylic, ink, graphite, image

(Author not identified) • 2 min read

A Note on the Cover Image — Suspended Souls by Yassin Mohamed.

MER Article

A Note on the Cover Image

The cover art for MER issue 312, “Carceral Realities and Freedom Dreams,” is titled “Suspended Souls,” by Egyptian artist Yassin Mohamed. It depicts a scene from the third and fourth floors of Ward B in Egypt’s maximum security Tora prison in 2017, where the artist was imprisoned. Serving two

(Author not identified) • 2 min read

A Note on the Cover Image — After Oil (Das Island/Das Crude) by DESIGN EARTH

MER Article

A Note on the Cover Image

The cover image for MER issue 311, "Post-Fossil Politics," is an inkjet on canvas print entitled “After Oil (Das Island/Das Crude).” The image is part of the “After Oil” series, first exhibited in 2016, by DESIGN EARTH: a research project founded by architects Rania Ghosn and El

(Author not identified) • 2 min read

A Note on the Cover Image — A drawing by Sudanese artist Galal Yousif to raise awareness about the war in Sudan. The Forgotten Crisis series, 2024, ink on paper.

MER Article

A Note on the Cover Image

The cover image for MER issue 310 features an ink on paper drawing from Galal Yousif’s “Forgotten Crisis Series 2024.” Galal Yousif is a Sudanese artist who lived and worked in Khartoum until June 2023 when, like many others, he was forced to flee. As of the date of

(Author not identified) • 2 min read

'Undesirables' and the Mediterranean Graphic Novel — The cover of Aomar Boum and Nadjib Berber’s book “Undersirables.”A 2002 political cartoon by Nadjib Berber sharply criticizing IMF policies in Algeria. The man in the suit says, “With the IMF, my motto is… if the Algerians don’t want to drop their pants, they have to tighten their belts.” To which the other man replies, “The problem is we have neither one nor the other.” Courtesy of Susan Slyomovics.

Current Analysis

'Undesirables' and the Mediterranean Graphic Novel

Aomar Boum on tracing the holocaust to North Africa through his new graphic novel with Nadjib Berber.

Aomar Boum, Elizabeth Perego • 12 min read

MER Article

Culture and Politics, Culture as Politics

Although MERIP is best known for political economy critiques of systems of resource extraction, imperialism and authoritarianism, artwork, creative texts and cultural reviews have never been merely supplemental to its project. Elevating cultural expression and aesthetic performance from the Middle East and North Africa can be an act of political

Ted Swedenburg, Paul Silverstein • 7 min read

Church, Mosque, Museum? Reflections on Monuments in Turkey and Spain — Russian tourists visit Ayasofya-i Kebir Camii or Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque, Istanbul, Turkey, January 29, 2021. Murad Sezer/ReutersFigure 1: Exterior view of the Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba. Patricia Blessing, 2015.Figure 2: Interior the Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba. Patricia Blessing, 2014.Figure 3: Exterior view of Hagia Sophia, Istanbul. Patricia Blessing, 2018.Figure 4: Interior view of Hagia Sophia as a museum, Istanbul. Patricia Blessing, 2011.

Current Analysis

Church, Mosque, Museum? Reflections on Monuments in Turkey and Spain

On July 24, 2020 the Turkish government opened Hagia Sophia in Istanbul to prayer for the first time in 86 years, reverting the building’s status from museum back to mosque. Blessing and Yaycıoğlu explain the politics behind this decision and explore the ramifications for Hagia Sophia and other monu

Patricia Blessing, Ali Yaycıoğlu • 15 min read

Current Analysis

A Tribute to the Palestinian Artist Kamal Boullata

We mourn the passing of the great Palestinian artist, Kamal Boullata, who died on August 6, 2019. Kamal was a dear friend and colleague, and closely associated with MERIP from its earliest days. We offer the following tribute.

The Editors • 11 min read

Current Analysis

Seeing Past the Rain of Light

On November 11, 2017, the Louvre Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates opened its doors to the public, nearly ten and a half years after the initial announcement of the project. Social media was awash with pictures of visitors in the rays of sun filtering into the main atrium,

Elizabeth Derderian • 3 min read

Current Analysis

The Walled-Off Hotel Controversy

The British street artist known as Banksy is no stranger to controversy. His public art about capitalism, misogyny and racism always produces conversation. His newest installation in occupied Bethlehem, the Walled Off Hotel, is generating significant public debate about Palestine-Israel. According to different media reports, Banksy aims to focus attention

Jamil Khader • 14 min read

MER Article

The Straw That Broke the Camel’s Back

In January 2015, Christie’s announced that a painting by the Palestinian Suleiman Mansour, Camel of Burdens II (Jamal al-Mahamil), would be the highlight of its annual auction of modern and contemporary Arab, Iranian and Turkish art held in Dubai. The piece was listed as the second version of the 19

Dina Ramadan • 12 min read

MER Article

The Responsibilities of the Cartoonist

Khalid Albaih is a political cartoonist “from the two countries of Sudan,” in his words, who is now based in Qatar. His drawings appear at his Facebook page, entitled Khartoon! in a play on the name of the Sudanese capital. Katy Kalemkerian and Khalid Medani spoke with him in Montreal on November 9,

Katy Kalemkerian, Khalid Mustafa Medani • 22 min read