Alfalfa smells warm and earthy and sort of sweet, like socks after a long hike, but not in a bad way. It is soft, with oblong green leaves the size of a pinkie nail. I know this because on a chilly February afternoon I drove a hundred and forty miles to the Imperial Valley, one of the state’s largest farming regions, pulled over to an unattended field, and ripped up a clump. It was a brown day; the wind turbines in Palm Springs were spinning and a dust storm was brewing. The air was more humid than normal. Alfalfa grows everywhere around the West, but it’s peculiar to see vast green fields in this place—a low, dry desert where vegetation is scarce and water even scarcer. But the Imperial Valley, home to an accidental salt lake and a mountain made of multicolored painted adobe clay, is one of California’s weirder places. The Salton Sea’s gunky shoreline takes off-road vehicles prisoner. A roving mud puddle eats at the highway. Roughly a hundred and fifty thousand acres of alfalfa grow in a place that sees fewer than three inches of rain a year.

People love to hate alfalfa. It’s become the Southwest’s boogeyman, chief offender in the megadrought. Farmers use alfalfa for cattle feed because it’s high in protein, but the crop, a perennial, requires a lot of water—by one estimate five acre-feet per acre in the Imperial Valley. By comparison, Imperial Valley lettuce uses about three acre-feet per acre, while, on average, grapes across the state use about 2.85. (An acre-foot is about enough to cover a football field in water a foot deep; alfalfa, then, requires five of those per acre.)

I think about alfalfa a lot, but only in the abstract, as a crop that uses too much water and enables the existence of more cows, which burp methane and make the climate crisis worse. I wanted to see it up close, and I also wanted to speak with one of the West’s most fervent students, and defenders, of alfalfa. His name is John Brooks Hamby, and he’s the vice chairman of the board of directors for the Colorado River’s largest single user, the Imperial Irrigation District, also called IID. Unlike alfalfa farther north, which may see a couple of harvests a year, Imperial Valley alfalfa enjoys a long season, he told me when I arrived at a sterile IID office in El Centro decorated with photos of canals and footbridges. “We can get ten-plus cuttings here,” he said. “Really thick, dense stands.” Alfalfa is not the valley’s only crop; when I was visiting, lettuce was in season, as was celery. I’d apparently just missed the carrot festival in Holtville, where sixteen-year-old Ailenna Salorio was named the 2025 carrot queen. There are dates and lemons and broccoli and spinach and onions too. But alfalfa is king.

The Winter issue of  The Paris Review opens with “Camouflage,” a story by Adania Shibli, the first line of which nudges us, ominously, toward a much broader picture: “We have nothing to do with what’s happening.” And yet what’s happening in the story itself isn’t initially clear. Instead, the scene—in which a Palestinian brother and sister inch forward in their car toward a flying checkpoint in torrential rain—comes into focus slowly, with a masterful control that transforms that obscurity itself into a way of illustrating the dread, tension, and uncertainty of living under the control of the Israeli authorities and military.

Shibli, who lives between Berlin and Palestine, where she was born, is the author of plays, short stories, essays, and novels, including Touch, We Are All Equally Far from Love, and, most recently, Minor Detail, which was first published in Arabic in 2017 and translated into English by Elisabeth Jaquette in 2020. It was a finalist for the 2020 National Book Award for Translated Literature, longlisted for the 2021 International Booker Prize, and awarded the LiBeraturpreis in 2023. When I met Shibli in Berlin in the fall of 2024, there was a stack of papers on her desk that amounted to the most recent draft of a new novel written in Arabic. The Review had commissioned me to translate its opening pages, but Shibli, apparently keen to protect my innocence, or my confusion, was adamant that I not read beyond them. Over a home-cooked meal, she and I spoke about how I might want to approach the translation that would appear in The Paris Review. I asked basic questions like “Who is the narrator?” and “But what is this novel about?” Shibli was gentle but sometimes elliptical in her responses. Following our work on the translation, I sent her a few questions over email.

INTERVIEWER

Arsenal was one of the clubs interested in signing Nico Williams at the start of this season, following his impressive performances that helped Spain win Euro 2024. The Gunners have been tracking the winger for some time, but his standout display at the Euros further increased their desire to add him to their squad.

Mikel Arteta, a long-time admirer of Williams, was keen to bring him into the team for this campaign. Barcelona was another club that made a strong push to sign the winger, but Williams ultimately chose to remain at Athletic Bilbao for another season. This decision came as a surprise to many, considering the size of the clubs interested in him compared to Bilbao.

However, Williams is content with his current situation, and there is even a possibility that he could spend his entire career at Bilbao, much like his older brother, who has been with the club for several years.

When asked about his decision to stay at Bilbao despite the interest from top clubs, Williams explained, as quoted by Goal:

“This relationship we have at the heart of the club is incredible. Everyone respects everyone else, which is incredible. This atmosphere, I’ll never have it anywhere else. I decided to stay because of that. I took the decision I thought was the right one. I’m happy, and I’m trying to do my best.”

Mikel Arteta watched Manchester United’s European game against Real Sociedad on Thursday and revealed what he had learned ahead of their Premier League clash this weekend. The Gunners are set to face United in a crucial match, one they simply cannot afford to lose.

Arsenal have struggled in recent weeks and are finding it difficult to keep pace with Liverpool at the top of the table. With United currently struggling in the bottom half of the Premier League, many might view them as easier opponents on paper. However, history shows that when facing top sides, Manchester United often steps up their game. This was demonstrated when they knocked Arsenal out of the FA Cup in a memorable tie not too long ago.

Despite their league struggles, United’s performance against Real Sociedad left a lasting impression on Arteta. He noted that they are more than capable of putting in a strong performance on any given day, and he is fully aware of the challenge his team faces. Speaking to Arsenal Media, he said:

“Watching the game against Real Sociedad, it became very clear that [Man Utd] are very capable of putting a really strong performance in and beat you on the day. We know the difficulty of the match and that’s what we’re preparing for.”

While Arsenal also had a positive result in midweek, Arteta knows that if his side performs at their best, they will have every chance of overcoming the challenge United presents. The match promises to be an intense contest, and the Gunners are determined to come out on top.

Arsenal could beat Manchester United to the signing of Viktor Gyokeres at the end of the season despite Ruben Amorim’s insistence. The United manager helped the striker reach top form when they worked together at Sporting, and he remains a player of interest for the Red Devils. Gyokeres has continued to deliver outstanding performances, but most believe he would be doing even better if Amorim had not left.

Manchester United are looking to improve their attack, as they do not have a striker as good as Gyokeres. Reports suggest they could push for his signature when the season ends, seeing him as a key addition to their squad. However, Arsenal have been monitoring him for a long time and remain a serious contender to sign him.

A report on 90Mins claims the striker is now more likely to move to the Emirates rather than Old Trafford. Arsenal need a striker and has Gyokeres on their list alongside other attacking options. They are determined to strengthen their squad, and his impressive performances make him an appealing target.

The striker will want to play for a top club fighting for trophies, which could give Arsenal an advantage over United in the race for his signature. Gyokeres has been one of the best in his position, and if Arsenal secure his signing, they will add a reliable goal scorer who can make a huge impact in their squad.

Arsenal’s search for a new striker has been ongoing, with reports linking them to several high-profile forwards. The club are eager to bring in a proven goal scorer who can elevate their attack to the next level. Gyokeres has shown consistency in front of goal and possesses the qualities Arsenal needs.

Mikel Arteta has shared insights into his tactical approach, explaining how he tailors his game plans based on different situations.

The Spaniard has been in charge at the Emirates since 2019, and under his leadership, Arsenal has shown consistent improvement year after year. His ability to adapt and refine his strategies has played a key role in keeping the Gunners competitive at the highest level.

Arteta works tirelessly to ensure his team has the upper hand over their opponents, and more often than not, Arsenal’s tactical setup gives them an edge. However, there have been occasions where, despite careful planning, results have not gone their way.

While some managers prefer a rigid approach, sticking to a fixed playing style regardless of the opposition, Arteta takes a more flexible stance. He has now explained how he prepares for different matches and adjusts his team’s tactics accordingly.

Speaking to Sky Sports, Arteta said:

Arsenal is determined to secure the signing of Martin Zubimendi at the end of the season, despite strong competition from several top European clubs. The Spanish midfielder has been on the radar of elite teams for some time, and his performances have only strengthened the demand for his signature.

Last summer, Liverpool came close to adding Zubimendi to their squad, but the player ultimately decided against the move. With another transfer window approaching, it is widely expected that he will decide his future, and Arsenal is keen to position itself as the leading contender for his services.

However, their task has become significantly more difficult. According to Fichajes, Real Madrid has now placed Zubimendi firmly on their transfer shortlist, and the Spanish giants are determined to keep him in La Liga. Given their stature and history of signing top domestic talents, Madrid’s interest presents a major challenge for Arsenal.

While Liverpool could enter the race once again and offer a lucrative deal, Arsenal may have an edge due to Mikel Arteta’s influence. The Spanish manager’s presence, along with the growing contingent of Spanish players at the club, could be an attractive factor for Zubimendi. The opportunity to play in a system that suits his style, under a coach who values technical midfielders, might make Arsenal an appealing destination.

Despite this, competing with Real Madrid is an entirely different challenge. The allure of playing for Los Blancos is difficult for any player to ignore, particularly for a Spaniard who has already established himself in La Liga. Madrid has the financial power, the pedigree, and the promise of domestic and European success, all of which could persuade Zubimendi to remain in Spain rather than move to the Premier League.