• An analyst noted that Iran has not run out of missiles and drones, and has not unveiled all of its capabilities. “It has not even used more than 30-40% of its stockpile. Its production capability annually exceeds 1500 missiles and 2000 drones.”
• Israel’s military leadership and opposition figures have warned that Israel’s military is nearing collapse under the strain of a multi-front war, citing critical troop shortages and a lack of clear strategy.

Rabia Ali 

ISTANBUL

One month into the war in the Middle East, the US, Israel and Iran are showing the strengths and limits of their military capabilities, as the war shifts from rapid military operation to a protracted confrontation.

The conflict, which began with a joint US-Israeli offensive against Iran in late February, has expanded into a region-wide confrontation, with Tehran launching retaliatory missile and drone attacks targeting Israel, US bases and American-allied infrastructure across the Middle East.

Experts said all sides are facing increasing pressure, as their stockpiles are being strained and costly systems are being used at a pace that is hard to sustain.

While US and Israeli forces have scored tactical gains by hitting thousands of targets, they are also using costly, high-end interceptors to counter far cheaper drones and missiles, according to a commentary published on the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI)’s website.

Analysts Macdonald Amoah, Morgan D Bazilian and Jahara Matisek, in their analysis ‘Over 11,000 munitions in 16 Days of the Iran War: ‘Command of the Reload’ Governs Endurance’, noted that US and its allies have expended 11,294 munitions in the first 16 days at a cost of approximately $26 billion.

Iran’s arsenal degraded

As the war enters its first month, analysts said Iran’s arsenal has been degraded, though the lack of official data makes it difficult to assess the scale.

Pre-war estimates placed Iran’s missile stockpile at around 2,500, though some analysts suggested it could be as high as 6,000.

Tehran’s arsenal includes missiles such as the Khorramshahr-4, Ghadr-110 and Emad, with ranges of up to 2,000 kilometers (1,240 miles). Some of the missiles used against Israel reportedly carried cluster munitions warheads, making them harder to intercept.

In the opening days of the war, Iran is estimated to have launched more than 500 ballistic missiles and over 2,000 drones.

Among the drones used by Iran are its Shahed-136 “kamikaze” drones, which can travel up to 2,000 kilometers and are relatively cheap to produce. As of early 2026, reports suggested that Iran possesses a stockpile of up to 80,000 Shahed drones, with the ability to produce drones every day.

Data compiled by Ibrahim Jalal, a senior researcher and policy advisor, indicates that by March 20, Iran had conducted more than 5,693 strikes across Israel, the Gulf countries, Iraq, Jordan and Syria.

Israel has faced more than 870 strikes, with drones making up the majority and missiles a smaller share.

Analyst Jalal noted that Iran has not run out of missiles and drones, and has not unveiled all of its capabilities.

“It has not even used more than 30-40% of its stockpile. Its production capability annually exceeds 1500 missiles and 2000 drones,” Jalal told Anadolu, adding that the country has been producing at scale for many years.

Matthew Powell, a lecturer in air power studies from the University of Portsmouth in England, told Anadolu that while Iran’s stockpile of missiles and drones has “undoubtedly” been depleted, Tehran has never publicly stated its initial stockpiles, therefore making it difficult to gauge how many it currently possesses.

He also noted that Iran is using their ballistic missiles more sparingly than at the start of the war.

“This suggests one of two things: the stockpiles of ballistic missiles are being reduced at a faster rate than expected and so Tehran is rationing their use to prolong the conflict or Tehran are reducing the scale of their attacks to prepare the way for substantial ceasefire and possible wider-ranging peace talks.”

Experts also highlighted recent reports of Iran launching a ballistic missile with a range of 4,000 kilometers against the island of Diego Garcia, which was later denied by Tehran.

“If Iran does possess them, it is unlikely that they will have them in significant numbers,” said Powell.

On the other hand, Jalal said Iran has intermediate-range ballistic missiles exceeding 3,000 kilometers, noting capabilities may not always be visible.

He pointed to the evolution of Houthi attacks between 2016 and 2024, which progressed from short-range to medium-range, and eventually to missiles reaching up to 1,800 kilometers, adding that the gradual expansion caught many observers off guard.

During the first 16 days of the war, Iran’s daily missile and drone attacks fell 80% – 90% from their initial peak, and after day five and beyond, it’s missile and drone attacks averaged 33 and 94 strikes per day, according to an analysis published by the defense and security think tank RUSI.

Israeli defenses under growing pressure

Experts note that Israel’s multi-layered air defense system has so far managed to absorb much of the Iranian strikes, though no system is fully effective.

“No air defense system is one hundred per cent perfect and a limited number of Iranian air strikes have found their targets. These successful strikes, however, from a strategic perspective, have had limited effect, although they have caused destruction and casualties within Israel,” said Powell.

On the other hand, Israel’s military leadership and opposition figures have warned that Israel’s military is nearing collapse under the strain of a multi-front war, citing critical troop shortages and a lack of clear strategy.

Concerns are also growing about the sustainability of Israel’s defenses.

Israel’s most critical defensive systems appear to be under the greatest strain, with its Arrow 2 and Arrow 3 missile defense interceptors projected to be depleted by March 27, said the RUSI commentary.

On the offensive side, Israel’s Blue Sparrow air-launched ballistic missiles are expected to last until April 5, while its David’s Sling Stunner interceptors, used for medium-range threats, are projected to be depleted by April 6.

Israel’s Rampage supersonic missiles are estimated to last till April 9.

Data from the first 16 days of the war shows a rapid depletion of key munitions stockpiles among the US, Israel and allied forces.

Israel’s Arrow 2 and Arrow 3 interceptors saw the sharpest decline, with 122 used out of 150, meaning more than 81% are depleted. Allied THAAD systems also dropped significantly, with 60% of stocks used, while Israel’s David’s Sling interceptors were reduced 54%.

On the offensive side, Israel used 56% of its Blue Sparrow missiles and nearly 49% of its Rampage missiles.

“Israeli stockpiles of Arrow interceptor missiles, which are used to defend against incoming ballistic missiles, are precariously low. The Royal United Services Institute estimates that Israel may run out these vital weapons as early as the end of May,” said Powell.

US stockpile stretched

During the first 16 days, the US carried out extensive long-range strike operations, launching around 535 BGM-109 Tomahawk land-attack cruise missiles, along with 912 AGM-158 JASSM and JASSM-ER stealth cruise missiles.

To support broader airstrike campaigns, US aircraft dropped 1,080 GBU-31, GBU-32 and GBU-38 JDAM guided bombs, according to an analysis on the RUSI website.

The US and its allies, meanwhile, are facing mounting pressure on their arsenals, according to the analysis.

Among allied systems, partner-operated THAAD is estimated to have 10 days of supply remaining, with projected depletion by April 3.

“Estimates from the RUSI suggests that the US have already fired over five hundred Tomahawk missiles in the four weeks of the war and that it would take five years at current production levels for these missiles to be replaced. They also suggest that the US is around a month away from running out of ATACMS ground attack missiles and THAAD interceptors,” said Powell.

Ryan Bohl, a senior Middle East and North Africa analyst at the RANE Network, said that American air defenses and munitions are strained and are being rationed.

“We also know that the Iranians have battered a lot of America’s bases throughout the region. Many of them have been mostly or partially evacuated, and people are now working in dispersed areas across these cities. The radar systems have also been battered,” he said.

Bohl noted, however, that there has been no damage to American warships besides the USS Gerald R. Ford that had a fire internally, noting that the American naval presence is unharmed and still capable of conducting launches.

Read: Iran at War: Ancient Roots, Modern Conflicts

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Courtesy: Anadolu Agency (Posted on 28.03.2026)

The post ME War: Assessing Military Strength first appeared on Sindh Courier.

Aziz Al Yahya – Najaf, Iraq

The Imam Ali Holy Shrine organized the Second International Heritage Conference in Najaf, with broad participation from scholars and researchers representing universities and academic institutions from Iraq and abroad, as part of its ongoing efforts to preserve Islamic heritage and protect valuable manuscript collections.

The conference was held under the theme Najafi Heritage: Authenticity and Enlightenment and titled Manuscript Heritage in the Libraries of Najaf: A Treasure of Civilization and History, highlighting Najaf’s historical role as a global center of Islamic scholarship and intellectual production.

In the opening address, the Secretary General of the Imam Ali Holy Shrine, Issa Al Kharsan, emphasized that hosting this conference reflects a deep sense of scientific and historical responsibility toward safeguarding the intellectual legacy of the Islamic world and presenting it through rigorous academic frameworks aligned with contemporary research standards.

The Head of the Al Alawi Center for Research and Islamic Studies, Sheikh Salam Al Nasseri, stated that the conference received more than ninety academic papers, of which fifty-eight were approved according to recognized scientific criteria. Researchers participated from nine countries, including Iran, Turkey, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Lebanon, the Russian Federation, Pakistan, and Uzbekistan.

The conference featured specialized research sessions that examined rare manuscripts preserved in Najaf’s historical libraries, including collections from the Imam Ali Library and the Sayyid Muhammad Hasan Al Taliqani Library. These sessions reflected the depth of academic engagement with Najafi manuscript heritage and its broader contribution to Islamic intellectual history.

On the sidelines of the conference, a specialized academic dialogue seminar titled The History of Najafi Repositories: An Open Discussion was held, addressing the role of Najaf’s manuscript repositories in disseminating knowledge across the Islamic world. The seminar highlighted the efforts of the Imam Ali Holy Shrine in cataloging, preserving, and digitizing rare manuscripts according to internationally recognized scholarly standards.

The Second International Heritage Conference reaffirmed Najaf’s position as a global hub for Islamic scholarship and research, while underscoring the leading role of the Imam Ali Holy Shrine in preserving human heritage, supporting academic studies, and strengthening international scientific and cultural cooperation.

Read:‏ Global Cultural Convergence: Iraq Hosts International Imam Ali Poetry Festival

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Amira Aamer

The UAE has developed a comprehensive framework for women’s empowerment, adopting a systematic approach to address challenges, expand opportunities and prepare women for leadership across multiple sectors. These efforts have strengthened the country’s competitiveness regionally and globally.

National entities, such as the UAE Gender Balance Council and Dubai Women Establishment, have contributed significantly to developing Emirati women’s leadership capacities and facilitating their advancement to senior posts in both the public and private sectors, in cooperation with leading international organizations.

Speaking to the Emirates News Agency (WAM), Mouza Mohammed Al Ghuwais Al Suwaidi, Secretary-General of the UAE Gender Balance Council, said that the Council is intensifying efforts to increase women’s participation in the private sector and raise their representation in leadership positions. This, she said, is being achieved through strategies and initiatives aimed at creating inclusive and balanced workplaces, in partnership with strategic stakeholders from both public and private sectors.

She highlighted that a number of national and international companies operating in the UAE have joined the “SDG 5 Pledge to Accelerate Women’s Leadership in the UAE Private Sector”. These companies have voluntarily committed to raising women’s representation in middle and senior management roles to at least 30 percent by 2025 for the first group, and by 2028 for the second group of companies that have recently joined the initiative.

The UAE Gender Balance Council Strategy 2026 aims to further reduce the gender gap across all sectors, enhance the UAE’s ranking in global competitiveness reports on gender equality and achieve gender balance in decision-making positions, as well as promote the UAE’s status as a benchmark for gender balance legislation.

In this context, the UAE ranked first regionally and 13th globally in the 2025 Gender Inequality Index published by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP).

Naeema Ahli, CEO of Dubai Women Establishment, said that advancing Emirati women’s leadership remains one of the organization’s key priorities. She noted that the Establishment continues to design and implement advanced training programs to build leadership skills for women across sectors, while also preparing them for senior roles in international organizations through specialized programs developed with global institutions and universities with expertise in executive and leadership education.

She added that these programs aim not only to provide women with modern leadership knowledge and skills, but also to strengthen their understanding of leadership dynamics in changing work environments and build their confidence in decision-making roles.

Published under the International Cooperation Protocol with Middle east Business | Life Magazine Abu Dhabi

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Read: Women breaking stereotypes with falconry

The post UAE Advancing Women’s Leadership first appeared on Sindh Courier.

• The starvation in Gaza is not a natural disaster but a deliberate policy, as described by WHO and UN officials

Shaheer Pulikkal | India

The humanitarian crisis in Gaza has reached catastrophic levels, with mass starvation threatening the lives of millions, particularly children, as the world remains largely passive. The ongoing conflict, coupled with a stringent blockade, has created a man-made famine that aid agencies and international organizations describe as deliberate and preventable. Despite global outcry and mounting evidence of suffering, meaningful action to alleviate this crisis remains elusive, leaving Gaza’s population trapped in a cycle of hunger, displacement, and despair.

A Man-Made Catastrophe

The World Health Organization (WHO) has labeled the situation in Gaza as “man-made mass starvation,” with its director, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, emphasizing that the crisis stems from a blockade restricting essential supplies like food, water, and medical aid. Since Israel reimposed a near-total blockade in March 2025, following a brief ceasefire, the flow of humanitarian aid has dwindled to a fraction of what is needed. Before the war, Gaza relied on approximately 500 aid trucks daily to sustain its 2.1 million residents. Recent reports indicate that only about 28 trucks are currently allowed in each day, a number woefully inadequate to meet the population’s needs.

This blockade has led to dire consequences. The Gaza Health Ministry reports that 127 people, including 85 children, have died from malnutrition since the conflict began in October 2023. Tragically, these numbers are likely underreported, as hospitals struggle to document cases amid overwhelmed facilities and dwindling resources. The death of 5-month-old Zainab Abu Halib, who weighed less than her birth weight at the time of her passing, underscores the severity of the crisis. Her emaciated body, described by medical staff at Nasser Hospital, is a haunting symbol of the starvation gripping Gaza.

The Human Toll

The starvation crisis is not just a statistic—it is a daily reality for Gazans. Nearly one in three people are going days without food, and almost 100,000 women and children require urgent treatment for severe acute malnutrition. Hospitals, already crippled by bombardment and shortages, are reporting rising deaths from hunger-related causes. Dr. Ahmad al-Farra, head of pediatrics at Nasser Hospital, notes that children arrive at his unit in varying stages of starvation, some too weak to survive even basic medical interventions.

The blockade’s impact extends beyond food scarcity. Clean water is nearly nonexistent, exacerbating dehydration and disease. Malnutrition weakens immune systems, making common illnesses like diarrhea and pneumonia deadly, especially for children. Pregnant and breastfeeding mothers, themselves malnourished, struggle to produce milk, putting infants at further risk. The long-term consequences are devastating, with survivors facing stunted growth, cognitive impairments, and chronic health issues.

International Inaction and Symbolic Gestures

Despite the overwhelming evidence of a humanitarian disaster, the international response has been marked by inaction and inadequate measures. More than 100 aid organizations, including Médecins Sans Frontières, Oxfam, and Amnesty International, have issued urgent calls for Israel to lift the blockade and restore UN-led aid distribution. A joint statement by 28 countries, including the UK, condemned Israel’s “denial of essential humanitarian assistance” as “unacceptable,” yet failed to propose concrete actions like sanctions.

Israel’s recent moves, such as resuming airdrops and announcing “tactical pauses” in fighting, have been criticized as insufficient and dangerous. Airdrops, which deliver far less aid than trucks, pose risks to civilians, with past incidents resulting in injuries and deaths when pallets landed on tents or crowds. The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), a controversial U.S.-backed aid system, has been marred by violence, with over 1,000 Palestinians killed while seeking food at its distribution points since May 2025. Humanitarian groups refuse to work with GHF, citing its lack of adherence to principles of impartiality and safety.

The United Nations, while vocal about the crisis, faces significant obstacles. Israeli restrictions, damaged infrastructure, and fuel shortages hinder aid delivery. UN officials report that even when aid reaches Gaza, it often remains undistributed due to bureaucratic delays and military zones. The interception of a humanitarian ship carrying baby formula and medical supplies by Israeli forces further highlights the challenges faced by aid workers.

Political Will and Moral Failure

The starvation in Gaza is not a natural disaster but a deliberate policy, as described by WHO and UN officials. Israel, as the occupying power, is legally obligated to ensure the provision of basic needs to Gaza’s population under international humanitarian law. Yet, Israeli officials have denied the existence of famine, with some attributing hunger to UN inefficiencies or Hamas, despite evidence to the contrary.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called the world’s inaction a “moral crisis,” urging global intervention to address the starvation. The failure to act decisively—whether through enforcing a ceasefire, opening land crossings, or holding Israel accountable—reflects a broader lack of political will. While countries like Jordan and the UAE have joined airdrop efforts, these are seen as symbolic gestures that do not address the root causes of the crisis.

A Call for Urgent Action

The situation in Gaza demands immediate and robust action. A permanent ceasefire, the lifting of the blockade, and the restoration of UN-led aid distribution are critical to preventing further deaths. The international community must move beyond statements of concern and impose tangible measures, such as sanctions, to ensure compliance with humanitarian law. The world cannot continue to stand by as images of emaciated children and desperate families flood global media.

Gaza’s people are not just statistics—they are families, children, and communities fighting to survive. The starvation crisis, described as a “massacre in slow motion,” will leave lasting scars on an entire generation if not addressed. The time for action is now, before more lives are lost to hunger and indifference.

Read: Songs of hope rise from Gaza’s ruins

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Shaheer Pulikkal is a young Indian short‑story writer and novelist. A Malayalam writer, he has published works multiple times.

The post Gaza Faces Starvation Amid Global Inaction first appeared on Sindh Courier.

Hammad Uddin | Chitral

Middle East peace efforts cast into ambiguity and uncertainty as the Israeli Prime Minister rules out a two-state solution, calling it ‘suicide bomb’ for Israel, proposes Arab-led control of Gaza

In a recent joint press conference with the U.S. President, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivered a controversial statement, declaring the two-state solution a “suicide bomb” for Israel. This stark rejection comes at a time when global leaders — from both Western and Muslim countries — continue to voice their strong support for the two-state framework as the only viable resolution to the decades-long Israel-Palestine conflict.

“We believe the Palestinians have the right to govern themselves,” Netanyahu stated, “but this would be a suicide bomb for Israel. It would allow Palestinians to build up the capability to launch another attack like the one on October 7. We will make sure that never happens again.”

These remarks, viewed by many as a definitive dismissal of the internationally backed peace plan, have fueled growing concerns and ambiguity over Israel’s long-term intentions and the future of Palestinian self-governance.

When questioned about the future of Gaza, Netanyahu revealed that Israel, in coordination with “Arab partners who believe in the state of Israel,” is working on a plan to allow Palestinians to voluntarily leave Gaza. According to him, these Arab countries would assume administrative control of the territory, ensuring that it poses no future threat to Israel.

It appears that the original proposal involved the United States temporarily taking control of Gaza post-conflict, potentially as a transitional authority. However, following sharp criticism and political backlash, that plan seems to have been abandoned. Now, the revised strategy reportedly includes handing over the Gaza Strip to four unnamed Arab states, in exchange for their cooperation in resettling Palestinians willing to relocate.

This revelation has sparked deep concerns among observers and human rights advocates, who fear that any plan excluding the Palestinians from decision-making or denying them the right to govern themselves will only inflame tensions and perpetuate the cycle of violence.

Critics argue that such a strategy directly violates international and humanitarian laws, especially if it involves forcibly removing Palestinians from their homeland or stripping them of their right to self-determination. Experts warn that marginalizing Palestinians in this way will not bring peace, but rather fuel resentment and radicalization.

“Denying people their basic rights and sense of belonging creates fertile ground for extremism,” said one regional analyst. “It will empower extremist groups and deepen political instability across the Middle East.”

In response to Netanyahu’s remarks and Israel’s emerging plans, several voices from within the Muslim world are calling for collective action. Countries like Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Iran, and Pakistan are being urged to unite with other Muslim nations and international partners to defend the rights of Palestinians and push for a sustainable, just peace.

Regional leaders are being reminded that any solution to the Gaza crisis and broader Israel-Palestine conflict must include full Palestinian participation and respect their aspirations for an independent state. Observers emphasize that durable peace in the Middle East will remain elusive unless the Palestinian people are treated as equal stakeholders in determining their future.

Read: At the door of the tents – A Poem from Palestine

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Hammad Uddin is student of political science in Chitral

The post Global Concerns Rise over Peace Outlook first appeared on Sindh Courier.

Amira Aamer

At least 24 civilians were martyred and dozens more were injured early Tuesday morning in a series of Israeli airstrikes targeting various areas in Gaza City and gatherings of citizens waiting for humanitarian aid south of Wadi Gaza, in the central Gaza Strip.

Rescue and civil defence crews recovered five martyrs from under the rubble of a house bombed in the Sabra neighborhood south of Gaza City. They were transferred to Al-Shifa Medical Complex, along with a number of wounded.

In a related development, medical sources at Al-Awda Hospital in Nuseirat reported that the hospital received 19 martyrs and 146 wounded as a result of the bombing that targeted hundreds of citizens gathered to receive relief aid on Salah al-Din Street, south of Wadi Gaza.

The sources explained that 62 of the injured were in critical condition and were transferred to hospitals in the central Gaza Strip for treatment.

Since 7th October 2023, the Israeli occupation has continued its aggression against the Gaza Strip, resulting in the martyrdom of tens of thousands of citizens, most of them children and women, while thousands more remain buried under the rubble.

Published under the International Cooperation Protocol with Middle East Business | Life Magazine, Abu Dhabi

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Read: Trump’s Desire to Control Gaza

The post Gaza: 24 martyred in Israeli airstrikes first appeared on Sindh Courier.

A Line Written with Honesty Will Always Endure – Ali Pasandideh

What first drew you to the art of calligraphy, and how did your journey begin?

At first, my only goal was to have good handwriting, but gradually I developed a deep interest in calligraphy. Eventually, I decided to pursue this art seriously.

Growing up in Iran, how did the cultural environment influence your artistic development?

Growing up in a country with a rich history of poetry, literature, and calligraphy deeply shaped my artistic vision. In Iran, calligraphy and poetry have always held a special place, and this cultural foundation had a significant impact on my growth.

Were there particular masters or styles that especially inspired you early in your career?

Yes. My first teacher at the Calligraphers Association was Master Ali Jaferi, who had a great influence on me. Later, Master Alireza Kadkhodaei helped me in my early professional path, especially with exhibitions. I was always inspired by the works of Master Amirkhani. Among historical masters, I was particularly influenced by Master Kalhor and often practiced by copying his scripts. I also admire the works of Mir Emad and Mirza Gholamreza Esfahani.

Can you describe your creative process when beginning a new piece?

Sometimes a vague image forms in my mind, and I start from there. Other times, a poem inspires me, and I try to create a suitable atmosphere for it. And occasionally, I just start writing and decide spontaneously as I go.

Nastaliq is a highly esteemed script—what challenges and rewards do you find in working with it?

Nastaliq is delicate and poetic. Its harmony and rhythm are challenging to master, but its beauty makes the effort deeply rewarding. It constantly pushes me to refine and elevate my work.

How do you balance tradition with personal innovation in your calligraphy?

I respect tradition, but I believe every artist must add something of their own. I try to maintain the essence of classical scripts while exploring new compositions and personal touches.

You’ve taught calligraphy for many years. How has teaching impacted your own art?

Teaching has helped me rediscover many principles of calligraphy. It keeps me grounded and sharp, and seeing students grow reignites my own passion for the art.

What do you believe is the most important quality for a student of calligraphy to develop?

Patience. This art takes years to develop. A calm and steady path, combined with dedication, is essential.

Could you share a memorable experience from your time teaching in Ankara or elsewhere internationally?

In Ankara, I was amazed by people’s enthusiasm for calligraphy. I remember a friend asked me to write his name, and soon a crowd gathered asking for the same. It was exciting to witness such interest.

You’ve held exhibitions around the world. Is there a particular exhibition or moment that stands out as especially meaningful?

The exhibition in Switzerland during the pandemic was meaningful to me. I couldn’t attend in person, but the works were sent and the exhibition opened on the scheduled date. I spoke from Tehran to the guests who attended the opening. The audience’s response was a special moment that showed how calligraphy can still connect with people in different parts of the world.

Your works have been featured at prestigious events like the Alkhat Festival and Khawla Foundation gatherings—how do you feel Middle Eastern creativity is evolving today?

I believe Middle Eastern creativity is flourishing. Artists are exploring bold ideas while staying rooted in their traditions. It’s a dynamic and exciting time for the region’s art scene.

What was your experience like when your artworks were sold at national auctions in Tehran?

Selling my work at Iran’s national auctions was encouraging. It gave me motivation and confidence to see that my art is reaching a wider audience.

You’ve also worked on art and psychology courses for children. How do you see the role of art in personal healing and development?

Art is a powerful tool for expressing emotions. In today’s stressful world, it can provide a space for release and personal expression. It also supports creativity and builds self-confidence.

In your view, what is the responsibility of an artist in today’s rapidly changing world?

An artist can help keep the spirit of beauty and creativity alive in society, and contribute to preserving cultural and human values through their work.

You recently exhibited at Kutubna Cultural Center in Dubai. What future projects or exhibitions are you currently excited about?

I’m always working on new and creative ideas and plan to continue this path. Whenever the opportunity arises, I exhibit my work.

Are there any new styles, collaborations, or experiments you wish to explore in the coming years?

Definitely. I would love to explore new experiences—both in materials and through works like calligraphic sculptures and three-dimensional pieces.

What has calligraphy taught you about life beyond the canvas?

The most important lesson is patience. Calligraphy develops slowly over time, teaching you to walk steadily and calmly. Also, through calligraphy, you connect with poetry and literature, and their wisdom starts to show in your life. It teaches not just art, but a philosophy of living.

If you could pass down one message to the next generation of artists, what would it be?

A line written with honesty will always endure.

Read – Art: Between Emotion and Form

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Courtesy: SandsAndCity

Photos: Instagram 

The post Middle Eastern Creativity is flourishing first appeared on Sindh Courier.

By Tom Arms

The Middle East has been called Byzantine, a snake pit and a political cesspit. It is a land where there are said to be no national interests, only interests. Where today’s enemy is tomorrow’s bedfellow and vice versa.

The region’s many leaders have changed horses so many times that the horses are dizzy.

All the above is especially true today when the region’s faraway overlord—the President of the United States—is likely to change his mind at the drop of a bitcoin, especially if the coin drops into his account.

This week Donald Trump has been touring the region and it has changed. The Arabs and the Turks are very happy with America. The Iranians may be coming around. The Israelis are—surprise, surprise—unhappy with the mercurial president.

One of the reasons that the Turks and Arabs are pleased is that the US is lifting sanctions on Syria. This became a certainty when Trump met with Syrian president Ahmed al-Sharaa and pronounced: “I think he has got potential.” Not so many months ago the US had a $10 million dead or alive bounty on his head.

Read: Trump’s Middle East tour showed the ‘art of the deal’ at its best and worst

Israel is totally opposed to lifting sanctions against Syria. They are terrified that Syria—their traditional enemy– is now governed by a former Al Qaeeda operative and have dispatched special units to undermine al-Sharaa and “Balkanise” Syria.

It should also be noted that when President Recep Tayyip Erdogan this week announced the end of hostilities between Ankara and the Kurds, standing alongside him was the new Syrian foreign minister.

Trump is all about business and one of the reasons that he loves visiting Saudi Arabia is that they have billions of petro-dollars to spend on American weaponry. This visit was no exception. Trump was able to announce an initial deal for $142 billion which he said could grow to $1 trillion.

Again, Israel was upset. The trip to Saudi Arabia and any big arms deals was supposed to coincide with the establishment of Saudi diplomatic relations with Israel. There was no way, however, that Saudi Arabia could recognize Israel after it broke the ceasefire and launched an even more vicious attack on Gaza and Trump needed a big cash deal for the folks back home to justify his mad economic policies.

Ten years ago the Gulf States were privately urging the United States to attack Iran and wipe out its nuclear facilities before a nuclear bomb was built. This time they pressed him to find a political solution.

There is still an underlying centuries-old enmity between the Arabs and the Persians, but the Gulf States have been reconsidering past position in the light of Israel’s increasing threats against Iran. They concluded that they would be the big loser in any war between the US and Iran or the US and Israel against Iran. Shipping in the Gulf would stop and the fighting would inevitably spread into their own territories.

Thus Trump has been encouraged to do a deal with Iran, and in Qatar the president announced that he and the Mullahs were close to an agreement. Apparently, it would involve Iran in scrapping any nuclear weapons program in return for the West lifting sanctions. This could only have infuriated Netanyahu who regards Iran as Israel’s public enemy number one. He will almost certainly do everything possible to sabotage any US-Iranian talks.

There are several other signs that the Trump-Netanyahu bromance of Trump’s first term is cooling. This week, for instance, the Trump Administration circumvented the Israelis to talk directly with Hamas to organize the release of Eden Alexander, the last American hostage in Gaza.

US diplomats also went behind Israeli backs to talk directly to the Houthis and organized a deal whereby American ships could sail safely pass the mouth of the Red Sea on their way to the Suez Canal. The Houthis, however, could continue to attack Israeli ships.

Much of the reason for the current cooling in US-Israeli relationship is that Netanyahu has embarrassed the American president. Trump’s Middle East negotiator Steve Witfkoff was the driving force behind the January three-stage Gaza ceasefire. Trump went out of his way to claim credit for the ceasefire and Netanyahu’s breach and even more vicious attacks have made Trump look foolish for trusting him. Trump does not like to look foolish.

World Review

Birth right citizenship coupled with the power of the courts v. the executive was up before the Supreme Court this week. And it looks as if the court is divided.

A decision will take time, probably a couple of months. But based on the questioning from the Bench it appears as if a decision could go either way, or be wrapped up in so much qualifying legal mumbo-jumbo as to be nearly useless.

Birth right citizenship and the courts v the president are two separate issues but they have been judicially linked because the lower courts have been blocking Trump’s plans to deport more than 5 million people who were born in the US to parents who were illegal aliens.

There are 94 District Courts in the US that hear cases involving the US constitution that are brought to them by people in their district. A ruling by one of the federal judges in those districts can be applied nationally. This means that one of Trump’s Executive Orders can be blocked until the Supreme Court finds time to make a final ruling. This could take many frustrating months—if not longer.

The Trump Administration wants the law changed so that a District Court’s judgements apply only to their district. This would, of course, substantially increase the power of the presidency and his Executive Orders, but could create a confusing judicial quilt of which laws apply where.

Birth right citizenship is enshrined in the The 13th Amendment of the US constitution. The amendment is a direct result of disputes leading up to the American Civil War and the abolition of slavery after it. In 1857 the Supreme Court ruled that African American slaves had no right to citizenship. That meant that when Lincoln issue the Emancipation Declaration on January 1, 1863, the slaves were freed but they were also stateless. The 13th Amendment was meant to correct that.

When it was passed in 1865, no one thought at the time that the amendment would become a loophole for illegal aliens to establish citizenship for their children and a moral right to residency for themselves. But it is still the law. And because it is in the constitution, it is a chiselled in legal granite law.

The only way it can be changed is by amending the constitution. This involves one of two processes. The most difficult is a two-thirds vote in both houses of Congress followed by passage of the change by three-quarters of the state legislatures. The second, more usual route, is by ratifying conventions in three-quarters of the states. Both are difficult and time consuming and the reason why the constitution is rarely amended.

Trump likes moving at speed, which is why he is hoping that the Supreme Court will either find a way to declare the 13th Amendment null and void or come up with a work around that will allow him to circumvent it.

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Republican Congressmen and Senators are in a bind. Or at least they will be in November 2026 when all of the House of Representatives and one-third of the Senate are up for election.

I keep hearing that a growing number of the Republican congressional club are fed up, appalled and seriously worried at the way that Donald Trump is riding roughshod over the constitution, destroying established trade patterns with his tariffs and jettisoning important allies.

But they feel trapped. If they speak up. If they oppose him. They risk losing their seats. And if they lose their seats they lose the platform from which they can oppose him if they can find a way to do so.

It has happened before. Liz Cheney was a highly respected, extremely conservative, Republican senator who vociferously opposed Trump because she thought he was a dictator in the making. Trump turned to his loyal MAGA base and told them to dump Cheney in the Senate primaries and support the far-right MAGA alternative. They did as instructed.

Cheney’s demise was an object lesson for ever centrist-minded Republican in Congress. Tow the Trump line are you are out. Hence the climate of Omerta which has descended on Capitol Hill.

But, Trump is falling in the approval stakes. The majority is starting to turn against the president. Not everywhere. In some states MAGA remains dominant. But enough states that the anti-Trump vote is like to return enough Democrats for the Republicans to lose control of the House of Representatives.

Republican anti-Trump lawmakers are thus caught in the middle between Trump and the MAGA crowd on one side and baying Democrats on the other. It may just be possible that moving against Trump now could win them enough centrist and Democratic votes to keep their seats. That, however, seems unlikely.

Anti-Trump Republicans still, have 18 months until the next election. Will they remember their oath to defend the constitution, rediscover their morals and fight against Trump’s increasingly corrupt authoritarianism? If they do—and lose—at least they will have the knowledge that they went down fighting.

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Donald Trump desperately wants the Nobel Peace Prize. One of his success v failure yardsticks is outdoing Barack Obama. Obama won the peace prize. Trump must have it too.

Personally, I think that anyone who has trampled all over the US constitution and brought the the world economy to the brink of collapse with his tariffs should be disqualified. But I do not know if the Nobel Peace Prize Committee (five members of the Norwegian parliament) will take that into account. They may just go for a single foreign policy achievement.

If that is the case then at the moment Trump has four routes to Oslo City Hall, a gold medallion and the million dollar cheque:

• Ukraine
• Israel/Gaza
• Kashmir
• Iran nuclear deal

We can forget about Kashmir. Trump tried to claim that he was the driving force behind the recent ceasefire, but India dismissed the suggestion that Trump, Vance or Rubio had anything to do with ending Indo-Pakistan hostilities.

Trump tried successfully to interject himself into the Gaza ceasefire talks. And Joe Biden was not backwards in giving him credit. But that ceasefire has fallen apart. Benjamin Netanyahu is ordering more military action, more air strikes, more humanitarian blockades, and it seems as if Trump is either unwilling or unable to dissuade him.

Trump does, of course, have massive leverage on Israel. American military aid keeps the Israel Defense Force afloat. But cutting—or even threatening to cut–that aid would be a step too far for Israel’s chief ally.

That leaves Iran and Ukraine. In Iran, Trump also has substantial leverage. He has the power to hold back Netanyahu who is desperate to launch an attack on Iran. He can lift sanctions which are definitely hurting the Iranian economy. And finally, Trump knows that Iran is in a mood to settle after its losses in Syria, Gaza and Lebanon coupled with growing discontent on the domestic front.

Sanctions are the only leverage that Trump has with Russia’s Vladimir Putin. So far, the Russian leader has done better than expected in replacing Western investment and keeping the economy going. But there are questions about how long he can keep it up. The problem is that Trump’s leverage over Putin is weakened by the obvious admiration that Trump has for the Russian leader’s strong man image and tactics.

Trump has far more leverage over Ukraine’s Volodomyr Zelensky. The Ukrainians are heavily dependent on American military and intelligence aid. The Europeans are starting to fill the gap, but it will be years before they can replace America. This explains The Americans’ rudeness to the Ukrainian leader.

Trump could probably push through a deal which left Russia in charge of Donbas. Ukraine might accept this if the truce included NATO and EU membership, or at the very least, iron-clad security guarantees and the right to maintain and strengthen its military. Putin is against any arrangement which leaves Ukraine in charge of its own destiny which means no to NATO, the EU, Ukraine army and any security guarantees of any substance.

Anything less would quite rightly smack of appeasement. The Norwegians are unlikely to hand out the Nobel Peace Prize for appeasement.

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Tom Arms is foreign editor of Liberal Democrat Voice and the author of “The Encyclopedia of the Cold War” and “America Made in Britain.”

Read: Observations of an Expat: 100 Days

The post Observations of an Expat: The Middle East first appeared on Sindh Courier.

The launch ceremony of the forum on May 5, included a huge musical performance presented by an orchestra of 50 musicians of multiple nationalities

Report by Souad Khalil

Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad Al Sharqi, Crown Prince of Fujairah (A city in UAE)  witnessed the launch of the “Fujairah International Oud Forum”, organized by the Fujairah Fine Arts Academy from 5 to 7 May 2025, under the slogan “One Oud, Multiple Cultures”, at the Fujairah Creative Cultural Centre. Oud is a Middle Eastern musical instrument.

The Crown Prince of Fujairah stressed the importance of the forum in embodying the Emirate’s vision of supporting culture and arts, and enhancing its presence in regional and international forums in these sectors, in addition to honoring the distinguished artistic experiences at the level of the state and the world, pointing to the role of music in enhancing communication between peoples.

His Highness noted the follow-up of Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Fujairah, and His Highness’s support for cultural and artistic activities in the emirate, based on its role in building the promotion of cultural openness among humans, and consolidating the position of the UAE as a global center for creativity and coexistence.

The launch ceremony of the forum included a huge musical performance presented by an orchestra of 50 musicians of multiple nationalities, who presented a charming musical watch that mixed different styles such as Spanish flamenco, rock, and oriental Arabic music, along with Indian, Uzbek, Azerbaijani and Turkish styles, in a scene that reflects the spirit of diversity and global cultural openness.

On its second and third days, the forum will also witness individual and group presentations, in addition to workshops and seminars highlighting the history of the Oud instrument and its various schools, in addition to hosting three of the most prominent Oud makers in the Arab world and Turkey, to showcase their skills and exchange experiences with the participants.

The event is also an exhibition dedicated to artisans and Oud makers from different countries, which enhances opportunities for artistic and cultural exchange. The forum is an important annual station for artists and those interested in oriental music, and emphasizes Fujairah’s commitment to investing in culture as part of its comprehensive development vision.

The ceremony was attended by Dr. Ahmed Hamdan Al Zeyoudi, Director of the Office of the Crown Prince of Fujairah, Ali Obaid Al Hafiti, General Manager of the Fujairah Fine Arts Academy, and a number of prominent figures in the field of music, culture and the arts.

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Souad Khalil is a Libyan writer, poet, and translator. She has been writing on culture, literature and other general topics.

Read – Literary Analysis: Philosophy of Poetry

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By Filippomaria Pontani

In 1878, at the mouth of the River Tyne in South Shields near Newcastle (just a few kilometers north of The Old Oak pub, which in Ken Loach’s film of the same name becomes the setting for the cultural clash between the dwindling inhabitants of a declining mining suburb and a group of Syrian refugees in 2013), an ancient funerary plaque from the third century AD was discovered. It bore an inscription in a mixture of Latin and Palmyrene Aramaic, commemorating a man who had been freed from slavery.

This story of intercultural love would have fascinated a poet: it was a Damascus-born poet living in London, Nouri Al-Jarrah, who took up the theme in his reflections on the relationship between Syria and the Mediterranean. In his work A Boat for Lesbos (L’Arcolaio, 2018), he revisits the idea of Syrians as people born not on boats, but in the foam of the sea—pure gold transformed, fused, and infused with a deep fragrance.

Two years later, in Exodus from the Abyss of the Mediterranean (Le Monnier, 2023), the exiled Al-Jarrah returns to Italy with The Stone Serpent, a delicate poetic collection translated by Gassid Mohammed.

In his Elegy for Regina, the exiled poet Barate retraces his life: his perilous arrival on English shores, the archers of Palmyra guarding Hadrian’s Wall, the melting pot of people and goods in the heart of Britain, the memories of Queen Boudicca’s anti-Roman revolt, and the establishment of a Syrian dynasty on the imperial throne (Septimius Severus and Julia Domna). All of this unfolds against the backdrop of his love for Regina, tragically cut short by death. Here, the dark-skinned Middle Eastern foreigner and the fair native woman in chains reverse the weight of civilization, while nostalgia, fog, and humanity take center stage.

The gods shift and transform—Atargatis becomes Ishtar, then Aphrodite, Zeus turns to Baal, then to Odin—in a syncretism that today’s Europe seems increasingly unwilling to acknowledge.

In the appendix, poems like The Elegy of Antinous and The Edict of Caracalla echo the spirit of Cavafy, listing the various nations present and the unease of “barbarian” citizens before symbols of power. However, Al-Jarrah’s refined historical references are lighter than the grandiose allusions of Adonis or Nizar Qabbani. His work is softened by notes of tender nostalgia, a memory both personal and collective.

Another exile, another voice from Syria: Widad Nabi, a young Kurdish woman from Kobane, fled to Germany in 2015 after a dramatic escape.

TWO POEMS

Nouri Al-Jarrah, from Elegy of Barate to His Beloved Regina

The cloud-bearer guided my steps

From the blue of summer to the dark winter.

The daughters of dew, the maidens of mist,

Who once laid Baal in my fields,

Have now left me here, disoriented.

The sky prepared for the first rains,

The stars made the artemisia bloom,

Filling the air with its fragrance.

I led you to the source of the two rivers,

Made you wander in the sun of my days.

Why did you accept my vows,

Only to later allow the earth

To take from me the last thing

A stranger can ever possess in this world?

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Widad Nabi, from Scenes of Imperfect Happiness

I will always sound like a sad woman

As I race like an untamed horse toward love

Clutching my empty hands.

A sad woman

Who weaves out of nothing

The omens of a house

Built from an ancient lament.

I will always sound like a sad woman,

No matter how my photographs hanging on the walls

May appear to be those of a woman

From a happy land.

A woman in a colorful dress

Worn for twenty years,

And a war from whose pockets

Spills the salt of the Aegean—

That salt that settled in her body

When she boarded the boats of death.

That salt embedded in the gaze

Of her empty eyes—

The gaze of someone

Who gave everything to death!

Just to survive.

Widad Nabi fled the dark abyss of war but refuses to be confined by the stereotype of the “refugee poet,” a label often used to marginalize literary work of this nature. She chooses to write in her fragmented, foreign-acquired German, seeking to escape easy classifications. Her poetry, infused with the scents of a lost homeland—the city, the minaret, the Kurdish landscape—transcends mere nostalgia.

As Aleppo and Berlin merge in her consciousness, and her last name (“prophet” in Arabic) evokes an interplay between “kiss” (qubla) and “prayer direction” (qibla), Nabi embraces a direct and determined style, avoiding obscurity. Her work, though deeply rooted in personal trauma, aspires to a universal dimension.

Read: The Exiled Memories

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Courtesy: The Silk Road Today, Cairo, Egypt 

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