Politics

Get out of Gaza

Exploiting the Palestinians

In view of the catastrophic situation in Gaza, Palestinians all over the world are trying to get relatives out of the sealed-off enclave. Unscrupulous Egyptian businessmen are cashing in on people's desperation. Qantara.de reports from Cairo
By Birgit Svensson
Dangerous Instagram?

Iraqi LGBTQ+ community loses safe space

It was always double-edged, but in Iraq, social media was often a comparatively safe place where the local queer community could meet. Recent amendments to Iraqi law are changing all that
By Cathrin Schaer
“From the river to the sea”

How to interpret a slogan

The notion that the slogan is sweepingly anti-Semitic falls short of the mark. But extremist interpretations need to be condemned – on both the Israeli and the Palestinian side
By Kristin Helberg
The discourse about Islam in German politics

From open to latent Islamophobia

Sociologist and Islamic studies expert Imad Mustafa was commissioned by the Group of Independent Experts on Islamophobia (UEM) to conduct the first academic study of the discourse around Islam in Germany's political parties. His findings have recently been published in book form
By Joseph Croitoru
German-Turkish relations

Towards a modern policy on Turkey

Political and diplomatic relations between Germany and Turkey are marked by dissent, but the numerous flashpoints in the Middle East are now bringing the two countries closer together. The German President's deft balancing act on his trip to Turkey points the way toward a pragmatic policy on Turkey
By Yaşar Aydın
Germany and the Netanyahu government

Death zone Gaza: Germany is complicit

For years, Germany has been Israel's second most important supplier of arms. As a result, German weapons have ended up being used in the Gaza war. As evidence piles up of serious legal violations by Israel, the question of whether the German government is complicit in this catastrophic situation must be asked
By Stefan Buchen
Egypt's New Capital

Counter-revolution completed

With Abdul Fattah al-Sisi's move into his new presidential palace and the inauguration of the new administrative capital, the Egyptian military's counter-revolution of 30 June 2013 is complete
By Shady Lewis Botros
Political transition wishful thinking in Libya?

"Dangerous status quo" – UN Special Envoy resigns

After "stubborn resistance" by Libya's major political stakeholders, Abdoulaye Bathily, the UN special envoy for Libya, has resigned. Analysts say his replacement will need to disrupt the "dangerous" status quo
By Jennifer Holleis
General election in Modi's India

"Muslims are the principal target"

With elections on 19 April, India looks set to re-elect Narendra Modi's BJP party, greenlighting an ongoing process of Hinduisation on the subcontinent. The persecution of Muslims and other minorities will intensify. Yet India has little to fear in the way of criticism from its Western allies, says political scientist Achin Vanaik
By Dominik Müller
Iran drone attacks

Why did some Arab countries help Israel?

Some analysts saw the fact that Arab nations helped Israel and the U.S. repel a major Iranian attack as cause for celebration. Countries like Jordan have, however, more complicated motivations for coming to Israel's aid
By Cathrin Schaer
After the local elections in Turkey

An end to AKP rule?

Last week's local election results in Turkey are a setback for the ruling AKP party and President Erdogan – but do they also herald an end to the party's uncontested power?
By Tayfun Guttstadt
ICJ "genocide" case brought against Germany

Berlin's unconditional support for Israel

Nicaragua has brought a case before the International Court of Justice in The Hague aiming to end Germany's ongoing support for Israel, claiming it violates the Genocide Convention. The outcome is likely to be historic
By William Noah Glucroft