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Trump and the Gulf StatesSkeptical optimism in the Gulf
Saudi Arabia and the Emirates hope to reap economic benefits from the Trump presidency. But the Gulf has learned that Washington cannot be relied upon. Meanwhile, the Saudis could push Trump to take a tougher stance towards Israel.
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Hamas attacks on IsraelSix months of grief and anger
While support for Israel's war in Gaza, which has so far claimed the lives of more than 30,000 Palestinians, remains high among Jewish Israelis, the government is also under pressure to get the remaining hostages back
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Arabian PeninsulaDawn of a new era in the Gulf
Political scientist Sebastian Sons describes in his new book how societies on the Arabian Peninsula are undergoing multiple changes simultaneously as they search for a new identity
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Israeli hostages held by HamasWhat can Germany do?
Weeks of tough negotiations have led to an initial hostage deal between Hamas and Israel with Qatar playing a leading role in the mediation process. Bearing in mind Germany’s historic debt towards the Jews, what part could – or should – Germany play?
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Regional perspectives on the Gaza warThe Middle East conflict is back
In recent years the Israeli-Palestinian conflict had gradually become uncoupled from the other lines of conflict in the Middle East. This "encapsulation of the Middle East conflict" may be off the table for now, but it does nothing to change the parameters of the larger regional struggle for dominance
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War in the Middle EastFive scenarios for the future of Gaza
In the midst of the current war, there is still no concrete plan for the future of Gaza. Preparations for the day after need to be made now. Muriel Asseburg and René Wildangel talk about possible scenarios and what needs to happen
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Turkey's stance on HamasPresident Erdogan and the shifting sands of geopolitics
Turkey initially pursued a balanced policy in an attempt to mediate between Hamas and Israel, but as Israel continues to pound Gaza, Erdogan has adopted a harsher stance. Tough choices now loom on the horizon for Ankara
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A history of HamasThe unpredictable enemy
The Islamist Hamas has been waging a "holy war" against Israel ever since the movement was founded in 1987. After assuming autocratic rule in the Gaza Strip in 2007, it began arming itself for military action. The brutal large-scale attack on the Israeli border territory was a way for Hamas to demonstrate its clout, writes Joseph Croitoru
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Hamas-Israel conflictWhich nation could mediate over Gaza?
The United States, European Union, Russia and China want to help end Israel's conflict with Hamas. However, writes Cathrin Schaer, Middle Eastern states are the ones who will need to step up for humanitarian and diplomatic reasons
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Turkey's realpolitik in the GulfDropping long-held convictions to seek deeper ties
Recep Tayyip Erdogan's visit to the Gulf states in July was his most productive so far, signing defence cooperation and other deals worth billions of dollars. But is a strategic partnership really possible while Turkey and the UAE continue to back conflicting sides in various regional crises? By Leyla Egeli
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Taliban Afghanistan 2 years onReport from a forgotten land
15 August 2023 marked the second anniversary of the Taliban's return to Afghanistan. Emran Feroz recently travelled through the country – here is his exclusive report for Qantara.de on everyday life in Kabul
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Middle EastWhy are Ramadan TV specials so controversial?
Every year, new TV series are released during the Muslim religious holiday. And every year, some cause controversy, upsetting clerics, governments or activists. Media analysts in the Middle East say they know why. Cathrin Schaer reports