Lebanon has banned Captain America: Brave New World due to the inclusion of Israeli actress Shira Haas as Sabra, a controversial character with ties to Israeli identity and history. Despite Marvel altering her background for the film, the move reignited political and cultural tensions. Activists, including the BDS movement, accuse Disney of promoting Israeli narratives, sparking protests and renewed calls for boycott across the Arab world.
SYRIA: The Syrian TV drama Caesar, set after the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime, faced backlash and halted production after attempting to film inside former regime prisons. These facilities, infamous for torture and mass executions, hold deep trauma for survivors. The controversy reveals the sensitive balance between artistic expression and honoring victims’ experiences in post-conflict Syria.
SYRIA: Nour al-Din al-Labbad, former Syrian ambassador and renowned poet, was assassinated on March 11, 2025, in his hometown of al-Sanamayn, Daraa. A prominent defector from Assad’s regime, al-Labbad returned from exile just weeks before his death. His killing, amid growing violence in post-Assad Syria, highlights the peril faced by opposition figures and the fragile security situation during the country’s ongoing transition
SYRIA: The defacement of Adnan al-Malki's statue, a revered Syrian nationalist and anti-colonial figure, has stirred public outrage and reignited debates over memory, identity, and national heritage. Though the damage occurred during the chaotic aftermath of Assad's fall in December 2024, its resurfacing in March 2025 highlights deep political divisions and the fragile process of reconciliation in post-conflict Syria.
Jordanian publisher Omar Al Zayood’s arrest on March 17, 2025, under the controversial Cybercrime Law, has ignited alarm over the country’s growing clampdown on press freedom. Charged after a complaint by ex-PM Bisher al-Khasawneh, Al Zayood faces prison time and steep fines. His case underscores rising concerns over legal tools being used to silence dissent and restrict journalists in Jordan.
In January 2023, the Iraqi Ministry of Interior launched the Ballegh platform, an online reporting system that allows citizens to flag social media content deemed “indecent” or harmful to public morals. Promoted as a tool to uphold societal values, Ballegh quickly became a mechanism for state repression.
Lebanon’s vibrant arts scene, known for its cultural richness and political critique, continues to face significant challenges due to censorship and harassment. Artists, filmmakers, and performers are frequently targeted by authorities, religious groups, and political factions when their work addresses sensitive issues such as politics, religion, or gender, domestically and abroad
Artistic freedom in Jordan faces significant challenges, with artists across various fields—spanning journalism, street art, music, and filmmaking—dealing with censorship, harassment and legal action, making an environment where creative expression is increasingly constrained
Hamdan Ballal, co-director of "No Other Land," was assaulted by Israeli settlers and detained by soldiers in the West Bank
The war in Gaza has wiped out a generation of artists across all fields, erasing voices crucial to Palestinian culture and identity.
Dorgham Quraiqi, a 28-year-old Palestinian artist, was tragically killed in an Israeli airstrike on March 18, 2025. He was known for his oil paintings and community work supporting children
Arts dialogue highlights culture’s role in Syria’s future amid ministry debates and creative economy talks
Significant concerns have emerged regarding the lack of representation from key sectors. This raises questions about whether the conference genuinely fosters an inclusive national dialogue or merely reinforces pre-existing power structures.
The publication of this special issue of Regards not only highlights the resilience and creativity of Syrian artists but also contributes to the broader discourse on the role of art in times of crisis. It serves as a valuable resource for scholars, artists, and anyone interested in understanding the intersection of art, politics, and social change in the Syrian context.
Abdullah Alkafri, head of the Syrian cultural organization Ettijahat
Abdullah Alkafri calls for cultural and artistic sectors in Syria to actively contribute to political and social transformation by building institutions capable of supporting change. Alkafri urges participation in the constitutional reform process to influence legal frameworks regarding cultural associations, unions, and education systems, ensuring they function independently from state control.
Once banned in Syria, Stars in Broad Daylight resurfaces as a symbol of artistic resilience
