Music – War Watch

Armenia | Ayatollah Ali Khamenei | Benjamin Netanyahu | Culture | Donald Trump | Gaza | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Middle East and north Africa | Music | Nuclear weapons | Palestinian territories | Petrol prices | Pop and rock | Saudi Arabia | Syria

‘You escape the slaughter. But there’s a long tail of sadness’: musician Bedouine on the strangeness of Arab life outside the Middle East
ByStevie Chick June 8, 2026

With roots in Armenia, Syria and Saudi Arabia, the singer-songwriter now lives in the US. But despite her Carole King-style sound, her homelands are never far from her mindThe title song to Azniv Korkejian’s fourth album as Bedouine, Neon Summer Skin, …

Read More ‘You escape the slaughter. But there’s a long tail of sadness’: musician Bedouine on the strangeness of Arab life outside the Middle East
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei | Benjamin Netanyahu | Culture | Donald Trump | Europe | Eurovision | Eurovision 2026 | Gaza | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Middle East and north Africa | Music | Nuclear weapons | Palestinian territories | Petrol prices | Russia | Television & radio | Ukraine | World news

I’m a Eurovision superfan, but this year’s contest brings only sadness. I won’t be tuning in
ByDave Keating May 16, 2026

Mismanagement and political campaigning have sucked the joy out of an event meant to bring people togetherFor the past two years, amid intensifying controversy over Israel’s participation in Eurovision, I and most other Eurovision superfans have stuck …

Read More I’m a Eurovision superfan, but this year’s contest brings only sadness. I won’t be tuning in
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei | Benjamin Netanyahu | Classical music | Culture | Donald Trump | Gaza | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Middle East and north Africa | Music | Nuclear weapons | Palestine | Palestinian territories | Petrol prices

Galilee String Quartet review – Palestinian ensemble improvise their signature east-west blend
ByAlexandra Coghlan May 4, 2026

Milton Court, LondonThe four siblings start with Webern before ditching traditional instruments for mics, voices, percussion and oud‘We’ve done many concerts, but this is the first time I’m stressed,” the first violin confesses with a grin, lowering hi…

Read More Galilee String Quartet review – Palestinian ensemble improvise their signature east-west blend
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei | Benjamin Netanyahu | Culture | Donald Trump | Gaza | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Lebanon | Middle East and north Africa | Music | Nuclear weapons | Palestinian territories | Petrol prices | US-Israel war on Iran

‘I can’t listen without feeling rattled’: how Fairuz’s anthem of resilience became a harbinger of strife for Lebanon
ByDanny Hajjar April 1, 2026

The Lebanese singer’s patriotic song has returned repeatedly since 1976 to inspire hope amid catastrophe. But as it resurges during the US-Israeli war, some Lebanese are chafing against its optimism and nostalgiaWhen Leila Milki first heard Fairuz’s Ba…

Read More ‘I can’t listen without feeling rattled’: how Fairuz’s anthem of resilience became a harbinger of strife for Lebanon
AI (artificial intelligence) | Ayatollah Ali Khamenei | Benjamin Netanyahu | Culture | Donald Trump | Gaza | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Middle East and north Africa | Music | Nuclear weapons | Palestinian territories | Petrol prices | Technology | US-Israel war on Iran | World news

Iranians embrace anthem by AI singer created by UK-based, Iran-born artist
BySaeed Shah March 15, 2026

‘I did it for the people,’ says Farbod Mehr, of song drawing lyrics from the work of revolutionary 20th-century poet Aref QazviniA stirring song – sung, apparently, by a young woman, with lyrics expressing the hope that sacrifice will lead to a better …

Read More Iranians embrace anthem by AI singer created by UK-based, Iran-born artist
Africa | Algeria | Ayatollah Ali Khamenei | Benjamin Netanyahu | Culture | Donald Trump | Gaza | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Mali | Middle East and north Africa | Music | Nuclear weapons | Palestinian territories | Petrol prices | Pop and rock | Tinariwen | World news

‘Villages are burned, animals slaughtered. We have to let the world know what’s happening’: Tinariwen and Imarhan fight for Tuareg music
ByAmmar Kalia March 13, 2026

Tinariwen went from Saharan weddings to Grammy-winning acclaim – but violence has forced the desert blues masters into exile. Now, a new generation is stepping in to helpSince their formation in 1979, Tuareg guitar band Tinariwen have been constantly m…

Read More ‘Villages are burned, animals slaughtered. We have to let the world know what’s happening’: Tinariwen and Imarhan fight for Tuareg music
Afghanistan | Ayatollah Ali Khamenei | Benjamin Netanyahu | Classical music | Culture | Donald Trump | Folk music | Gaza | Human rights | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Islam | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Law | Middle East and north Africa | Music | Nuclear weapons | Palestinian territories | Petrol prices | Religion | South and central Asia | Taliban | World news

The Taliban are burning musical instruments in the name of morality. It is an assault on all culture
ByTom Service February 25, 2026

The sounds of Afghan history are being erased to prevent music’s ‘moral corruption’ of the Afghan people. We can help keep Afghanistan’s music alive. Plus, Eliane Radigue’s deep listening, and the brilliance of Sinners’s scoreThe horrors of the Taliban…

Read More The Taliban are burning musical instruments in the name of morality. It is an assault on all culture
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei | Benjamin Netanyahu | Culture | Donald Trump | Eurovision | Eurovision 2024 | Gaza | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel-Gaza war | Israel–Iran War | Middle East and north Africa | Music | Nuclear weapons | Palestinian territories | Petrol prices | Protest | Television & radio | World news

Eurovision winner Nemo to return trophy in protest at Israel taking part in 2026
ByLisa O’Carroll December 11, 2025

‘Clear conflict’ between Eurovision ideals of ‘inclusion and dignity for all’ and decision to let Israel compete, says 2024 winnerNemo, the Swiss singer who won the 2024 Eurovision song contest, has said they are handing back their trophy in protest ov…

Read More Eurovision winner Nemo to return trophy in protest at Israel taking part in 2026
Boycotts | Contests and Prizes | European Broadcasting Union | Eurovision Song Contest | internal-open-access-from-nl | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Ireland | Israel | Israel-Gaza War (2023- ) | Israel–Iran War | Music | Netherlands | Slovenia | Spain

Eurovision Is in Turmoil as Israel’s Participation Leads to Boycott
ByAlex Marshall December 4, 2025

The Netherlands and Slovenia also said they would not take part in next year’s contest, meant to be its celebratory 70th edition.

Read More Eurovision Is in Turmoil as Israel’s Participation Leads to Boycott
Customs, Etiquette and Manners | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Music | Muslim Veiling | Muslims and Islam | Politics and Government | Tehran (Iran) | Youth

Outdoor Concerts? Uncovered Hair? Shimmying in Public? Is This Iran?
ByFarnaz Fassihi and Sanam Mahoozi December 1, 2025December 1, 2025

Young people across Iran have been leading a dramatic change in social mores in recent months. “We have a fearless young generation that is breaking taboos.”

Read More Outdoor Concerts? Uncovered Hair? Shimmying in Public? Is This Iran?