Photo Essays

Within eyeshot of the Bosnian-Croatian border, thousands of refugees are camping in squalor on a former garbage site. Their supplies are scarce. Photographer Dirk Planert was among them

As the first phase of President Donald Trumpʹs peace plan gets underway, talk of Middle East peace is in the air again. Bearing witness to the difficulty of the task are the scars left by wars past across the landscape of Israel, the Palestinian Territories and the Golan Heights. By Stephen Farrell

Women have been the driving force behind the months of protest that resulted in the ousting of Sudan's long-term president, Omar al-Bashir, in a coup d'état. They continue to protest for peaceful change and are willing to accept great hardships along the way. 

Following the violent crackdown on the protest camp in Khartoum, the tension between the civilians and military became even more strained. Yet the stalemate appears over – for now. Here's a chronology of events. By Kersten Knipp

Due to its copious oil reserves, Libya was one of North Africa's richest states. Following the toppling of long-time dictator Muammar Gaddafi, the country was plunged into chaos. As a result of the ongoing civil war, large swathes of Libya could now even run out of drinking water. By Lisa Hanel

For the past four years, the parish of Saint Merry in Paris has organised a "Nuit Sacree" over the Pentecost weekend during which Christians, Jews, Muslims, Buddhists and Hindus pray and sing to God. The goal is to create and foster dialogue between the communities. By Jan Schmidt-Whitley

Far from the glittering skyscrapers of Riyadh and Mecca mania, there is another side to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia just waiting to be discovered. By Eric Lafforgue

Those travelling to Iran will encounter a history and culture thousands of years old, impressive buildings, breath-taking nature – and overwhelming hospitality. By Felix Schlagwein

Ramadan is regarded as a special time of spiritual discipline and purification by millions of practicing Muslims across the globe. The month-long fast is marked by local traditions and holy rituals alike. By Lewis Sanders

Half a century ago about one thousand families moved through the Anatolian steppe, today there are only 86, including the Gobut family of the Yoruk nomadic tribe. Osman Orsal accompanied them