Mezze: Assorted Stories from the Middle East

A taste of the debates shaping the region in 270 words or less

The CSIS Program’s Mezze series puts a spotlight on under-discussed trends and debates in the region.

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Newsletter by Martin Pimentel — October 24, 2023

All Mezze: Assorted Stories from the Middle East Content

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Staying Power

Despite Israeli evacuation orders, tens of thousands of Lebanese are choosing to remain in the south.

Blog Post by Lilya Yatim — April 15, 2026

Goodnight, Cairo

Amid rising food costs and power rationing, Egypt faces a growing crisis.

Blog Post by Ana Eveleigh — March 31, 2026

Beyond Punishment

A viral incident in a private school forces the Egyptian government to rethink their response to bullying. 

Blog Post by Lena Lofgren — July 3, 2025

No Sheep? No Problem

The Moroccan king urges Moroccans to forgo the slaughter of sheep this Eid due to an ongoing drought.

Blog Post by Sadeen Haddad — June 9, 2025

(Un)scripted Diplomacy?

A popular Saudi Ramadan show has an unexpected focus on China.

Blog Post by Ninar Fawal — June 4, 2025

Mixed Signals in the Middle East

The sudden flood of Israeli profiles on dating apps in Lebanon and Egypt have prompted rumors and conspiracies. The mishaps point to the growing impact of widespread GPS spoofing on key services in the region.

Blog Post by Lily Flick — August 27, 2024

A Fishy Business in Port Said

As Egypt’s economic crisis continues, price hikes have hit the fish market especially hard. In response, Egyptians in Port Said have turned to a fishy boycott to express displeasure. A new Mezze from the CSIS Middle East Program.

Blog Post by Salmah Elmasry — July 30, 2024

The Voice Inside AI's Head Speaks English

Arab countries are increasing their investments in large language models, but Arabic is already posing a challenge for AI tools. As more Arabic-speakers turn to AI, Arabic risks falling behind in the world of artificial intelligence. 

Blog Post by Josh Phillips — June 18, 2024

The Bonds of Marriage between Syria and Iraq

Josh Phillips discusses the increasing number of Syrian women marrying Iraqi militia fighters leading to exploitation and abuse. Read more about why these marriages take place and the impact of gender-based discrimination and economic insecurity on women's lives.

Blog Post by Josh Phillips — May 1, 2024

Chat GPMufti

AI is playing an increasing role among Muslim institutions in the MENA region. This trend, however, has left many uneasy. In this mezze, Marty Pimentel discusses the future role of AI in religious institutions throughout the region. 

Newsletter by Martin Pimentel — October 24, 2023