New Lines Magazine
@newlinesmag.bsky.social
An award-winning magazine for the best writing from around the world. Longform essays and informative analysis run daily.
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http://lnk.bio/newlinesmag
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Why Syria Is Training Women To Protect Its Tourists
Thousands, from accountants to widows of the civil war, have been trained at Syria's first police academy for female recruits
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Editor's Pick:
What does policing in the new Syria look like? In Tartus, thousands of women are being trained as tourism police — part of an effort to revive the tourism sector while expanding women’s roles in public life.
What does policing in the new Syria look like? In Tartus, thousands of women are being trained as tourism police — part of an effort to revive the tourism sector while expanding women’s roles in public life.
WATCH: Ratko Mladić died a coward, but Bosnia survives, defined not by its suffering but by joy and humor.
Mladić Is Dead
Ratko Mladić, the commander in charge of the Srebrenica genocide and architect of the siege of Sarajevo, died serving a life sentence in the Hague. Jasmin Mu...
f.mtr.cool
September 18, 2026 at 5:04 PM
WATCH: Ratko Mladić died a coward, but Bosnia survives, defined not by its suffering but by joy and humor.
While the Macklemore controversy may have some impact, it should not distract from the realities of life for Palestinians, which remain the same. | @lsmwilson.bsky.social
Is the Ed Sheeran and Macklemore Controversy a Breakthrough or a Distraction? I’m Still Not Sure
While the Macklemore controversy may have some impact, it should not distract from the realities of life for Palestinians, which remain the same.
f.mtr.cool
September 18, 2026 at 4:05 PM
While the Macklemore controversy may have some impact, it should not distract from the realities of life for Palestinians, which remain the same. | @lsmwilson.bsky.social
A Syrian court has delivered its first verdicts over the March 2025 coastal violence: a death sentence, a life term, an acquittal, and 20 years for a soldier whose case file included a video of a kneeling man being shot. | Paloma de Dinechin. https://f.mtr.cool/a93f8uxwqe
September 18, 2026 at 3:05 PM
A Syrian court has delivered its first verdicts over the March 2025 coastal violence: a death sentence, a life term, an acquittal, and 20 years for a soldier whose case file included a video of a kneeling man being shot. | Paloma de Dinechin. https://f.mtr.cool/a93f8uxwqe
NEW: For five decades, Yousra has remained one of the defining stars of Egyptian cinema — moving between genres and generations of audiences without ever being confined to a single kind of role, writes Tom Pollitt for @newlinesmag.bsky.social
newlinesmag.com/review/50-ye...
newlinesmag.com/review/50-ye...
50 Years of Yousra
A look back at the actor’s unique contribution to Egyptian cinema, and the adaptability that has ensured her continuing relevance
newlinesmag.com
September 18, 2026 at 3:01 PM
NEW: For five decades, Yousra has remained one of the defining stars of Egyptian cinema — moving between genres and generations of audiences without ever being confined to a single kind of role, writes Tom Pollitt for @newlinesmag.bsky.social
newlinesmag.com/review/50-ye...
newlinesmag.com/review/50-ye...
“The Lebanon of 1990 was divided, full of rubble, garbage, fuel and bread lines and people with guns. Thirty years later, Lebanon is divided, full of rubble, garbage, fuel and bread lines and people with guns.”
Remembering the Beirut Explosion
The 2020 blast at the city’s port tore through buildings, and also through the psyches of its inhabitants — as an archive of their responses shows
f.mtr.cool
September 17, 2026 at 7:02 PM
“The Lebanon of 1990 was divided, full of rubble, garbage, fuel and bread lines and people with guns. Thirty years later, Lebanon is divided, full of rubble, garbage, fuel and bread lines and people with guns.”
Syria raised diesel prices 40% overnight, sparking protests in Idlib. Yet locals say they support the state nevertheless. While Syrians are struggling financially, the protests show that they are also exploring a new relationship with dissent.
Syria's Fuel Price Protests Test the Limits of Post-Assad Dissent
As residents process the shock of energy costs skyrocketing overnight, they are also redefining their relationship with power
f.mtr.cool
September 17, 2026 at 6:37 PM
Syria raised diesel prices 40% overnight, sparking protests in Idlib. Yet locals say they support the state nevertheless. While Syrians are struggling financially, the protests show that they are also exploring a new relationship with dissent.
Editor's Pick:
Somaliland’s President Abdullahi is pitching Trump on the value of his breakaway state, but even with the backing of key GOP lawmakers, the power imbalance is not in his favor | Théophile Simon
Somaliland’s President Abdullahi is pitching Trump on the value of his breakaway state, but even with the backing of key GOP lawmakers, the power imbalance is not in his favor | Théophile Simon
Somaliland’s Uphill Struggle for Recognition in Washington
President Abdullahi is pitching Trump on the value of his breakaway state, but even with the backing of key GOP lawmakers, the power imbalance is not in his favor
f.mtr.cool
September 17, 2026 at 5:05 PM
Editor's Pick:
Somaliland’s President Abdullahi is pitching Trump on the value of his breakaway state, but even with the backing of key GOP lawmakers, the power imbalance is not in his favor | Théophile Simon
Somaliland’s President Abdullahi is pitching Trump on the value of his breakaway state, but even with the backing of key GOP lawmakers, the power imbalance is not in his favor | Théophile Simon
WATCH: A bronze sculpture by Tschabalala Self depicts an anonymous young Black woman in a blue dress, heels and glass-beaded jewelry. @kayliwewe.bsky.social considers how Lady In Blue is being perceived
The Meaning of Lady in Blue
A bronze sculpture by Tschabalala Self depicts an anonymous young Black woman in a blue dress, heels and glass-beaded jewelry. Self describes the figure as a...
f.mtr.cool
September 17, 2026 at 5:05 PM
WATCH: A bronze sculpture by Tschabalala Self depicts an anonymous young Black woman in a blue dress, heels and glass-beaded jewelry. @kayliwewe.bsky.social considers how Lady In Blue is being perceived
NEW: An open letter in solidarity with Iran’s political prisoners drew vitriolic condemnation from parts of the anti-imperialist left — but the criticisms are short-sighted and misplaced, argues Yassin al-Haj Saleh, a former political prisoner in Syria, for @newlinesmag.bsky.social
The Attacks on an Open Letter to Iran’s Political Prisoners Are Misguided
Why should the victims of massacres be expected to stand beside their executioners in the name of anti-imperial resistance?
newlinesmag.com
September 17, 2026 at 5:00 PM
NEW: An open letter in solidarity with Iran’s political prisoners drew vitriolic condemnation from parts of the anti-imperialist left — but the criticisms are short-sighted and misplaced, argues Yassin al-Haj Saleh, a former political prisoner in Syria, for @newlinesmag.bsky.social
NEW: Is the Ed Sheeran and Macklemore controversy a breakthrough or a distraction?
@lsmwilson.bsky.social
explores the ambiguous purposes of solidarity, for
@newlinesmag.bsky.social
newlinesmag.com/running-note...
@lsmwilson.bsky.social
explores the ambiguous purposes of solidarity, for
@newlinesmag.bsky.social
newlinesmag.com/running-note...
Is the Ed Sheeran and Macklemore Controversy a Breakthrough or a Distraction? I’m Still Not Sure
While the Macklemore controversy may have some impact, it should not distract from the realities of life for Palestinians, which remain the same.
newlinesmag.com
September 17, 2026 at 4:59 PM
NEW: Is the Ed Sheeran and Macklemore controversy a breakthrough or a distraction?
@lsmwilson.bsky.social
explores the ambiguous purposes of solidarity, for
@newlinesmag.bsky.social
newlinesmag.com/running-note...
@lsmwilson.bsky.social
explores the ambiguous purposes of solidarity, for
@newlinesmag.bsky.social
newlinesmag.com/running-note...
During the 2020 Beirut port blast, everyone in the city with a camera phone and social media account became a reporter of some sort. What the algorithm reshared became instant archival material that still has an important story to tell.
Remembering the Beirut Explosion
The 2020 blast at the city’s port tore through buildings, and also through the psyches of its inhabitants — as an archive of their responses shows
f.mtr.cool
September 16, 2026 at 10:02 PM
During the 2020 Beirut port blast, everyone in the city with a camera phone and social media account became a reporter of some sort. What the algorithm reshared became instant archival material that still has an important story to tell.
From the @newlinesmag.bsky.social archives:
More than three years into Moscow's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the Kremlin is increasingly co-opting far-right groups like Russkaya Obshchina, raising concerns in Russia's ethnic republics and elsewhere.
More than three years into Moscow's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the Kremlin is increasingly co-opting far-right groups like Russkaya Obshchina, raising concerns in Russia's ethnic republics and elsewhere.
Icons and Guns: Inside Russia’s Largest Far-Right Group
Emboldened by an ultraconservative state agenda and the war in Ukraine, extremists are cautiously welcomed by the government
f.mtr.cool
September 16, 2026 at 9:02 PM
From the @newlinesmag.bsky.social archives:
More than three years into Moscow's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the Kremlin is increasingly co-opting far-right groups like Russkaya Obshchina, raising concerns in Russia's ethnic republics and elsewhere.
More than three years into Moscow's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the Kremlin is increasingly co-opting far-right groups like Russkaya Obshchina, raising concerns in Russia's ethnic republics and elsewhere.
While the world’s media have retreated from using the word "terrorism," governments have applied it ever more broadly, with vast implications for law and society.
The Language of Terrorism Since 9/11
The terminology around violent ideological attacks has been weaponized ever more widely by politicians, making the job of combating the underlying problems impossible
f.mtr.cool
September 16, 2026 at 8:02 PM
While the world’s media have retreated from using the word "terrorism," governments have applied it ever more broadly, with vast implications for law and society.
LISTEN: Over a decade of reporting, Sally Hayden began to feel a theme she saw as integral to a complete news story was being ignored. “I see love every day,” she tells Faisal Al Yafai on The Lede.
Why Every Conflict Is Also a Love Story
Sally Hayden joins Faisal Al Yafai on the podcast to discuss a decade of reporting from Rwanda to Iraq and Lebanon, what crisis reveals about the bonds between people, and her new book, “This Is Also a Love Story.”
f.mtr.cool
September 16, 2026 at 7:03 PM
LISTEN: Over a decade of reporting, Sally Hayden began to feel a theme she saw as integral to a complete news story was being ignored. “I see love every day,” she tells Faisal Al Yafai on The Lede.
“Given the Trump administration’s personality-driven and unpredictable decision-making process, a face-to-face meeting between Abdullahi and Trump could still produce a breakthrough.” Théophile Simon on Somaliland’s efforts to gain U.S. recognition.
Somaliland’s Uphill Struggle for Recognition in Washington
President Abdullahi is pitching Trump on the value of his breakaway state, but even with the backing of key GOP lawmakers, the power imbalance is not in his favor
f.mtr.cool
September 16, 2026 at 6:03 PM
“Given the Trump administration’s personality-driven and unpredictable decision-making process, a face-to-face meeting between Abdullahi and Trump could still produce a breakthrough.” Théophile Simon on Somaliland’s efforts to gain U.S. recognition.
In one of our current top reads, Anagha Subhash Nair reports on why Syria is training women to protect its tourists:
Why Syria Is Training Women To Protect Its Tourists
Thousands, from accountants to widows of the civil war, have been trained at Syria's first police academy for female recruits
f.mtr.cool
September 16, 2026 at 5:04 PM
In one of our current top reads, Anagha Subhash Nair reports on why Syria is training women to protect its tourists:
Editor's Pick:
Almost seven months into a war the UAE didn't ask for, food is still flowing from Iran’s farms to the restaurants of Dubai — but for how much longer? Jack Thompson reports from the Emirates, with photos by Katarina Premfors. https://f.mtr.cool/p26lw2xyyj
Almost seven months into a war the UAE didn't ask for, food is still flowing from Iran’s farms to the restaurants of Dubai — but for how much longer? Jack Thompson reports from the Emirates, with photos by Katarina Premfors. https://f.mtr.cool/p26lw2xyyj
September 16, 2026 at 3:49 PM
Editor's Pick:
Almost seven months into a war the UAE didn't ask for, food is still flowing from Iran’s farms to the restaurants of Dubai — but for how much longer? Jack Thompson reports from the Emirates, with photos by Katarina Premfors. https://f.mtr.cool/p26lw2xyyj
Almost seven months into a war the UAE didn't ask for, food is still flowing from Iran’s farms to the restaurants of Dubai — but for how much longer? Jack Thompson reports from the Emirates, with photos by Katarina Premfors. https://f.mtr.cool/p26lw2xyyj
From the @newlinesmag.bsky.social archives on International Day of Democracy:
A question faces countries across Europe: What should a democracy do when voters choose candidates who may not believe in democracy itself?
A question faces countries across Europe: What should a democracy do when voters choose candidates who may not believe in democracy itself?
The Democratic Exclusion Dilemma
The rise of extremist parties is leading states to weigh political bans, but they run the risk of further eroding public trust
f.mtr.cool
September 15, 2026 at 9:02 PM
From the @newlinesmag.bsky.social archives on International Day of Democracy:
A question faces countries across Europe: What should a democracy do when voters choose candidates who may not believe in democracy itself?
A question faces countries across Europe: What should a democracy do when voters choose candidates who may not believe in democracy itself?
"The lack of neutrality in the term “terrorist” has real, significant consequences for people’s lives all around the world, and the best solution would be to move away from such framing entirely."
The Language of Terrorism Since 9/11
The terminology around violent ideological attacks has been weaponized ever more widely by politicians, making the job of combating the underlying problems impossible
f.mtr.cool
September 15, 2026 at 8:03 PM
"The lack of neutrality in the term “terrorist” has real, significant consequences for people’s lives all around the world, and the best solution would be to move away from such framing entirely."
Trump’s $5,000 “dividend” to Americans if Republicans retain Congress sounds outrageous in the U.S. But in many democracies around the world, election-time cash and freebies have long been entrenched in politics. India offers a cautionary precedent.
India’s 'Freebie' Politics May Have Reached America
Trump’s $5,000 “dividend” to Americans if Republicans retain Congress sounds outrageous in the U.S. But across the developing democratic world, election-time cash and freebies have long been entrenched in politics. India offers a cautionary precedent.
f.mtr.cool
September 15, 2026 at 7:00 PM
Trump’s $5,000 “dividend” to Americans if Republicans retain Congress sounds outrageous in the U.S. But in many democracies around the world, election-time cash and freebies have long been entrenched in politics. India offers a cautionary precedent.
“I can send money, and the shipment can disappear if there is a missile.” Almost seven months into the Iran war, food is still flowing from Iran to the restaurants of the Gulf, at least for now.
In Dubai, Trade Continues on the Front Lines of the Iran War
The flow of food from the Islamic Republic to the restaurants of the Gulf shows the difficulties involved in severing economic ties
f.mtr.cool
September 15, 2026 at 6:01 PM
“I can send money, and the shipment can disappear if there is a missile.” Almost seven months into the Iran war, food is still flowing from Iran to the restaurants of the Gulf, at least for now.
🎥As Israel’s October election approaches, Netanyahu’s government is moving quickly to expand settlements in the West Bank. @kayliwewe.bsky.social speaks with @lisang.bsky.social about how fear of losing power is driving a frenzy of settlement activity in the West Bank.
The Final Nail For Palestine
The current Israeli government is the most extreme in the country’s history, and also one of its most durable. But polls suggest Benjamin Netanyahu’s coaliti...
f.mtr.cool
September 15, 2026 at 5:01 PM
🎥As Israel’s October election approaches, Netanyahu’s government is moving quickly to expand settlements in the West Bank. @kayliwewe.bsky.social speaks with @lisang.bsky.social about how fear of losing power is driving a frenzy of settlement activity in the West Bank.
Italy says it released Libyan Gen. Osama Njeem over a procedural flaw. Critics point to something else: Europe’s dependence on Libya’s security forces to stop migration. A look at the interests behind a decision that stunned the ICC.
A Libyan General Accused of Crimes Against Humanity Was Arrested in Turin. Why Did Italy Let Him Go?
Osama Njeem sat at the junction of two of Rome’s biggest priorities: gas and migration, a position that shaped the decision to release him
f.mtr.cool
September 15, 2026 at 4:52 PM
Italy says it released Libyan Gen. Osama Njeem over a procedural flaw. Critics point to something else: Europe’s dependence on Libya’s security forces to stop migration. A look at the interests behind a decision that stunned the ICC.
Current top read:
As Morocco races toward the World Cup, a wave of demolition is erasing old neighborhoods.
https://f.mtr.cool/qmkyay9i3d
As Morocco races toward the World Cup, a wave of demolition is erasing old neighborhoods.
https://f.mtr.cool/qmkyay9i3d
September 15, 2026 at 3:15 PM
Current top read:
As Morocco races toward the World Cup, a wave of demolition is erasing old neighborhoods.
https://f.mtr.cool/qmkyay9i3d
As Morocco races toward the World Cup, a wave of demolition is erasing old neighborhoods.
https://f.mtr.cool/qmkyay9i3d
Libya’s Gen. Osama Njeem was wanted by the ICC for crimes against humanity he committed at Mitiga Prison, where detainees — many of them migrants — were tortured, raped and extorted. Yet when he was arrested in Turin in 2025, Italy flew him home. Why?
A Libyan General Accused of Crimes Against Humanity Was Arrested in Turin. Why Did Italy Let Him Go?
Osama Njeem sat at the junction of two of Rome’s biggest priorities: gas and migration, a position that shaped the decision to release him
f.mtr.cool
September 14, 2026 at 9:01 PM
Libya’s Gen. Osama Njeem was wanted by the ICC for crimes against humanity he committed at Mitiga Prison, where detainees — many of them migrants — were tortured, raped and extorted. Yet when he was arrested in Turin in 2025, Italy flew him home. Why?