Spear's Wealth Management Survey

The arrest of Bassem Youssef, Egypt's Jon Stewart, is no laughing matter

Bassem Youssef was arrested because he insulted the president. Perhaps the president needs to get a sense of humour

Spear's Advent Calendar: The Best of 2012

We are a traditional bunch at Spear's, which is why we are bringing you that emblem of Yuletide, an advent calendar

Lies, Oil and Death in the New Libya

Sophie McBain returns to Tripoli on the first BA flight from London to see her former home, now free, and to investigate a very suspicious death

Islamic Finance's 'Scholar Problem': Why Are Shariah Scholars Paid So Much?

Dollars for Scholars

Islamic finance could be a fruitful, thoughtful and even moral alternative to Western banking, says Sophie McBain — if it can overcome its scholar problem

Wealth Management for Women in the Middle East: Why Demand Outstrips Supply

Gender Gulf

Women control a surprising amount of Saudi Arabia’s wealth, yet many large banks are failing to cater for their specific needs, says Tanzeel Akhtar

WealthInsight: Dubai billionaire capital of Middle East

Three Middle Eastern cities have made it into the list of the top 25 cities with the largest population of billionaires, with Dubai the highest-ranked Middle East city at 18th place

Hisham Matar on Gaddafi, the Libyan Revolution and His Father's Abduction

Matar of Life and Death

Hisham Matar’s first novel had huge political resonance in Libya, but both that and his recent second work are personal, human tales at heart, he tells Sophie McBain

Tyre's Heritage Under Threat

Tyred Out

Joseph Dyke bemoans the fate of the beautiful city of Tyre, damaged both by ancient conquerors and now its government. Photography by Sam Tarling

Art in the Middle East, after the Arab Spring

Cultural Shifts

Anthony Downey, editor of new culture venture Ibraaz Publishing, describes how the project evolved against a backdrop of dramatic upheaval in the Middle East and North Africa

Gaddafi Dead: The Tyrant Has Fallen

Even knowing that Muammar Gaddafi’s death was not an improbable outcome of the final military battle for Sirte, when it came it was a shock