Philip Cheung
Breaking the ice
Having overcome cultural preconceptions, figure skater Zahra Lari is training to become the first athlete from the Gulf to compete in the Winter Olympics, inspiring a new generation of women.
Think tank
Bringing together an explosive mix of military manufacturers and eager customers, the International Defence Exhibition is an all-action trade fair with an attentive audience.
Living at the movies
As artistic director for the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), Cameron Bailey watches 700 films a year. But with midnight meetings and hectic schedules, it’s not all fun and games.
Port in a storm
Fujairah, the UAE's quiet port linking the Gulf to the Indian Ocean, holds a politically strategic position. As investment rises, this once tranquil Emirate could be on the verge of a significant boom.
Museum pieces
Museum culture has altered radically in recent years. Here we spotlight the most exciting venues and ask what makes an ideal 21st-century museum.
Mar Mikhael
Boutiques, architectural practices, and bars have set up in the Mar Mikhael neighbourhood. But for residents, old and new, the charm of this authentic Armenian area lies in its strong sense of community.
Show starters
Worth billions but well below the radar, the lounge act is a fascinating and uncharted universe. From Las Vegas to Tokyo, Monocle explores an undervalued and consummate talent pool of professional entertainers.
Karachi cops
Monocle spends a day with Karachi’s police chief as he worries about kit, corruption and crime stats as the Taliban gains ground in Pakistan. We also meet Afghanistan's presidential hopeful.
Great Sheikhs
Abu Dhabi is built on oil but the city is morphing into a technology and culture superpower. Who are the visionaries on the ground turning dreams into bricks and mortar?
