Politics

Political prisoners in Syria

Around-the-clock torture

More than 215,000 Syrians are languishing in the prisons of the Syrian regime. But despite a UN resolution, it seems that hardly anyone is interested in their fate. Unless one of the victims receives a prize, that is: for example the journalist and lawyer Mazen Darwish, who was recently awarded the UNESCO World Press Freedom Prize 2015. By Kristin Helberg
By Kristin Helberg
The Syrian conflict

The illusion of a political solution

There is much discussion in the West about a political solution to the conflict in Syria. But the reality is that the world is looking the other way, continuing to nurture the illusion that something is being done at international level and that the Syrian people have not been abandoned. A critical contribution to the debate by Burhan Ghalioun
By Burhan Ghalioun
Military intervention in the Islamic world

What good is an Arab military alliance?

If new Arab military alliances want to avoid the mistakes of past interventions, their members will have to re-assess their approach and address the structural deficits that led to previous failures. By Omar Ashour
By Omar Ashour
Dam treaty between Egypt, Ethiopia and Sudan

Who owns the Nile?

After years of conflict about control over the Nile, Ethiopia, Egypt and Sudan have now apparently chosen the path of co-operation over open dispute. Politicians are demonstrating unity, but observers warn that not all differences have been resolved. By Ludger Schadomsky
By Ludger Schadomsky
Interview with Iraqi political scientist Ghassan Al-Attiyah

A nation torn apart

According to Ghassan Al-Attiyah, Iraq's political elite failed to develop an interdenominational understanding of the state after the end of the Baath dictatorship. Mulham Al-Malaika spoke to the renowned Iraqi political scientist about the country's future and the fight against IS
By Mulham Al-Malaika
The Moroccan thinker Abdallah Laroui

A modernist who defends theocracy

Abdallah Laroui has always been one of the people who advocated a break with the spiritual heritage of the Arab world and saw the values of Western modernity as the basis of a rational humanity. In a recent interview, however, he began defending theocracy, arguing that the Arab world had not succeeded in making a democratic system take root. By Ali Anouzla
By Ali Anouzla
Israeli economist Shir Hever

An economy of disparities

In his book "The Political Economy of Israel's Occupation", the Israeli economist Shir Hever analyses the relationship between the economy and Israel's occupation of the Palestinian territories and its global impact. Martina Sabra read the book and spoke with the author
By Martina Sabra
Yemeni refugees in Cairo

An unwelcome exile

Food and water are in short supply not only in the conflict zones of Yemen, but also for many Yemenis stranded in Egypt since the conflict broke out in their country. As the Saudi-led alliance bombards Houthi positions in Yemen, it is considered too dangerous for the refugees to return home. By Andrea Backhaus in Cairo
By Andrea Backhaus
Turkey's nuclear programme

Why Turkey won't go nuclear

In this analysis, George Perkovich and Sinan Ulgen explain why Turkey is working hard to build its nuclear energy programme, but is not interested in developing a nuclear weapons system
By George Perkovich & Sinan Ülgen
Rapprochement between Erdogan and the Turkish Army

Short-term tactic or long-term strategy?

One of the main achievements of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) has been to stop the Turkish Army meddling in politics. In the past few months, however, the president seems to have begun allying himself with the army in what could be a major realignment in Turkish politics. Dorian Jones in Istanbul considers whether this is a tactical or a strategic change in policy
By Dorian Jones
The AKP's version of Turkish history

Contrasting interpretations of Gallipoli

Joseph Croitoru reports on how leaders in Ankara are putting an Islamist spin on centenary commemorations of the Gallipoli Campaign and how they seem to hope that these events will detract attention from another centenary occurring this week: that of the Armenian genocide
By Joseph Croitoru
The German Empire and the Armenian genocide

Turning a blind eye

On 24 April, people all over the world will commemorate the mass killing of Armenians 100 years ago. A memorial service is planned in Germany as well. Many critics contend, however, that the country should take a closer look at the role played by the German Empire, which was an ally of the Ottoman Empire at the time of the massacres. By Ceyda Nurtsch
By Ceyda Nurtsch