Essays
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Germany and the GulfBalancing ethics and economics
Germany needs a strategy when brokering deals with countries like Qatar, Saudi Arabia or the United Arab Emirates that allows it to maintain its own moral compass. By Sebastian Sons
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Standard Arabic, Darija, French or English?Morocco – a linguistic cold war
A conflict rooted in identity is currently gaining traction in Morocco. It began with demands to relieve the "burden" of Fusha (classical Arabic) by implementing a linguistic 'shift', thus allowing the use of Darija (Moroccan dialect) in education and teaching. But this approach has backfired massively on its proponents. Commentary by Mohamed Taifouri
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Arab states in crisisThe ruling classes' dereliction of duty
In this essay, renowned Lebanese journalist and writer Hazem Saghieh asks whether the Arab Levant, which stretches from Iraq in the east to Egypt in the west, will remain an inhabitable region in the long term
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Salman Rushdie attackSummoning up Ayatollah Khomeini's spirit
Thirty-three years after Ayatollah Khomeini first issued his "Satanic Verses" fatwa, the attempt to kill Indian-born British writer Salman Rushdie in the United States proves just how destructive the political instrumentalisation of Islam is, writes Loay Mudhoon
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India and Pakistan – 75 years of independenceA pair of troubled nations
On 14 August 2022, Pakistan marked the 75th year of its founding. One day later, neighbouring India celebrated its own independence with much pomp. Despite the historical and cultural similarities, the sense of estrangement between the two countries could hardly be deeper, writes Mohammad Luqman
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Challenging Turkish history from the ground up"The stories of our families"
More and more voices are being raised in Turkey that challenge previous versions of the country's history. These alternative accounts, still largely ignored by official quarters, are breaching longstanding taboos and deconstructing the political narrative. By Ceyda Nurtsch
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Growing repression in MoroccoCreating an atmosphere of fear
Following a crackdown on the independent press in Morocco, human rights activists face increased repression and extended prison sentences. By Abdellatif El Hamamouchi
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Putin’s new world orderWhat does the war in Ukraine mean?
Despite what heads of state may claim, the Russian attack on Ukraine is not a wake-up call for a self-confident Europe that defends its values. The war is accelerating the decline of the old continent and rousing familiar spectres from the past that never really went away. Meanwhile, the Middle East is reprising its not unfamiliar role as an under-reported fringe region. Essay by Stefan Buchen
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Deutsche Welle in the Middle EastWe need dialogue
When times are tough, the exchange of ideas and perspectives becomes especially important. It takes dialogue. And at Deutsche Welle, we need distributors and cooperative partners for that – now more than ever. By Peter Limbourg
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Saudia Arabia and the UAEGetting Washington wrong
Analyst Iyad El-Baghdadi examines the ongoing tensions between the United States and the two Gulf states – Saudi Arabia and the UAE – and their geopolitical implications in interview with Rayyan Al-Shawaf