Editorial
Editor’s Introduction:
About Delta-N journal
Delta-N journal aspires to be an open space
for the study of the ‘relationship’ between
‘Thought’ and ‘Public Affairs’. This journal
is one of the many activities that take place
at the Centre for Thought and Public Affairs
(Damascus - London), and is published
with the efforts of a team dispersed across
Damascus, Beirut, Cairo, Sweden, Turkey,
Paris and London. Currently, the Editorial
Board of Delta-N is working to publish a
bimonthly softcopy of the journal (available on
the website www.c-tpa.org), with the hopes of
publishing a bimonthly hardcopy after the first
year.
Delta-N takes special interest in issues
regarding the Middle East, with a focus on Syria
in particular. The journal publishes a range of
materials including articles, studies, book
reviews, journalistic reports, photographic
images, abstract art and caricatures. Delta-N’s
Editorial Board focuses on attracting the pens
of the young and talented who are critical and
original in their approach. The Board also seeks
to encourage young writers without extensive
experience, as it hopes to inspire those who
have been hesitant in publishing their work for
various reasons.
Delta-N’s stance on material submitted is
open and transparent, in direct communication
with writers. It is essential to emphasize that
Delta-N’s Editorial Board holds no previous
political or ideological biases that could
interfere with submissions that are made; the
Board’s role is limited to making suggestions
with comments or edits regarding the way the
ideas of the writer are presented (so that they
may become clearer and more intelligible to a
wider reading audience). For more information,
please refer to the guidelines related to written
submissions via our online website.
Finally, a word on the journal's name
‘Delta-N’ which may attract readers to
question its symbolic significance. The GreekPhoenician letter ‘Delta’ is shaped as a triangle
towards the highest; towards the abstract,
towards the absolute, a symbol of fire,
magnificence and intellect; it is a metaphor
for ‘Thought’. As for the letter ‘N’ (nun),
it emerges as a symbolic letter from Arab
heritage, such as in the Qur'anic phrase ‘be,
and it is’ (kun fa ya-koun); towards presence
completion, towards beingness actualization,
towards creating things within our surrounding
reality, it is a metaphor for ‘Public Affairs’ which
people are affected by in their reactions and
interactions. The combination of the letters
‘Delta’ and ‘N’ reflect the symbolism behind
each, culminating in a metaphoric combination
between ‘Thought’ and ‘Public Affairs’ and
thus embodying the message behind the
Centre for Thought and Public Affairs.
We hope that this humble beginning meets
the expectations of our readers, in the hopes
that our ambitious efforts will create a new
intellectual space that respects writers and
readers alike, and highly values the words that
bring them together.
Talal Al-Mayhani
Editor-in-Chief
Delta-N Journal
Summary Edition - June 2014
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