USA
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"The Seed of the Sacred Fig"
The story of an Oscar nomination
Shot and set in Iran, "The Seed of the Sacred Fig" is this year's Oscar nomination from Germany. The film deftly portrays political and intergenerational conflicts in Iranian society but ignores the Kurdish origins of the "Women, Life, Freedom" movement.
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Palestinian political scientist Khalil Shikaki
"The ceasefire is unsustainable without a vision for peace"
Khalil Shikaki has been conducting polls in Palestine since 1993. He argues that Palestinians need a unified interim leadership to pave the way for elections, and warns against Trump's destabilising plans for the region.
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Trump and the Gulf States
Skeptical 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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US election 2024
What Trump's victory means for Iran
Donald Trump has won the US presidential election. Many Iranian opposition members hope that this will lead to the overthrow of the Islamic regime. But Trump's actions, especially in foreign policy, are not always predictable.
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US election 2024
Time to vote for Trump? How the Democrats are losing Arab voters
Arab-Muslim voters in the US are turning away from the Democrats because of their support for Israel. In Michigan, a Democratic mayor has even endorsed Trump. The US election may well be decided in this state, which is home to about 240,000 Muslims.
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EU-Arab cooperation for Peace
From word to deeds
While all eyes continue to be turned towards the US for decisive action, a potential regional contribution should not be ignored. In this regard, tightening cooperation between European and Arab states could produce tangible progress to support Israeli-Palestinian peace making.
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Recognition of the Palestinian State
Reducing the power gap
The mere recognition of Palestine as a state will not be the panacea, but it will be the essential, decisive turning point on the road to a just and sustainable solution to one of the most protracted and volatile conflicts in modern history.
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Turkey in NATO
Relationship status difficult
A more active role for Turkey in NATO, as demanded by the Turkish government, would be appropriate in view of the geopolitical challenges, but is meeting resistance within the alliance. How can the defence alliance achieve greater unity?
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Iraq's autonomous Kurdistan
Kurds drifting away from democracy
In Iraq's autonomous Kurdistan, regional elections are being repeatedly postponed, institutions weakened and structures are becoming more autocratic
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Israeli historian Moshe Zimmermann
UN Gaza resolution is a "step along the way"
On 10 June, the UN Security Council voted in favour of the U.S. plan for a ceasefire in Gaza. Israeli historian Moshe Zimmermann says this is progress towards peace. The coming days will reveal whether it is a "breakthrough"
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Biden's plan for a Middle East ceasefire
What Gaza exit strategy?
U.S. President Biden's plan to end the war in Gaza ignores important questions. As long as it is not clear who will control the Gaza Strip once the war is over, there will be no lasting solution. An analysis
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USA and Saudi Arabia
Nuclear deal likely to prompt a Middle East arms race?
One part of a predicted, closer U.S.-Saudi relationship is particularly controversial. Experts fear Saudi Arabia may use a civilian nuclear energy programme, supported by the U.S., to develop their own atomic bombs