When the history of our troubled times is written, justice will hopefully be done to Syria’s real heroes — its faceless, ordinary people. They defy great odds day after perilous day to survive, perpetually in the line of fire and besieged from all sides.

This US election may well go down as the most divisive and toxic on record. The bitter war of words, accusations and acrimony is truly unprecedented. What is even more remarkable about this contest is the singularly unappetizing nature of both the choices on offer.

Muhammed Muheisen is perhaps the only Arab photographer and journalist, as far as I know, who has won the coveted Pulitzer Prize, which is like journalism’s Nobel.

For those of us who generally admire President Obama as a man of principle, it is wrenching to watch his paralysis. As I see it, Syria has been his worst mistake, a huge blot on his legacy, writes Nicholas Kristof of the New York Times.

So how low can Donald Trump really go? Just when you think the ever engaging freak show that is this US election cannot get any more interesting, the Republican nominee comes up with something more absurd and insensitive to sustain the interest of his growing fan club.

Ever wondered why the Middle East, the heart of the Islamic world, remains in constant state of flux and without the conditions essential for peace, stability, responsive governance and overall human development?

Viet Thanh Nguyen is an American writer and author of the bestselling novel, The Sympathizer. He came to America with his family in the summer of 1975 after a long and arduous journey from the war ravaged Vietnam.

At a time when just about everyone is losing their heads, joining in the hate fest directed by BJP’s Parivar, it’s heartening to see a little known actor show some spine.

Every now and then something happens that restores your faith in humanity — just a wee bit.

Dr. Akbar Ahmed is a man of many parts. Civil servant, diplomat, author, filmmaker (creator of biopic Jinnah) and teacher, he has also served as Pakistan’s ambassador to the UK.