Politics

Offensive against IS in Iraq

Sowing the seeds of the next disaster

With their keen fighting spirit, the Shia militias may well be an effective weapon in the fight against Islamic State in Iraq. However, this is quite literally a case of casting out the devil that is IS with the Beelzebub that is the Shia militias, says Karim El-Gawhary
By Karim El-Gawhary
General election in Israel

Elections for nothing

Never before in the history of Israel have there been such empty and unnecessary elections. The elections of 2015 are about nothing; no real issues are being discussed. Most of the parties are not even bothering to present an agenda, and very few Israelis understand why they have to go to the polls on 17 March, two years after they last did so. By Gideon Levy
By Gideon Levy
The Nazi glorification of Ataturk

Ankara's shining star

The historian Stefan Ihrig's new book reveals the fascination that Kemal Ataturk, the founder of modern Turkey, held for Hitler and the National Socialists. Ihrig's book has caused a stir in the Turkish press. By Joseph Croitoru
By Joseph Croitoru
"Islamic State" versus "Taliban Emirate"

One caliph too many

The IS terrorists' self-proclaimed caliphate does not recognise borders. For some time now, the black flags of "Islamic State" have also been sighted in Afghanistan. This is a direct challenge to their rivals from the "Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan", better known as the Taliban. By Emran Feroz
By Emran Feroz
Investigations into the 2014 Israel–Gaza conflict

What prospects for accountability in Gaza?

Half a year has passed since the end of the hostilities between Israel and Hamas. Both NGOs and international organisations are now investigating the events of summer 2014. Ylenia Gostoli reports on these investigations and the reactions to them on both sides of the divide
By Ylenia Gostoli
India's anti-corruption champion Arvind Kejriwal

Delhi's new broom very nearly makes a clean sweep

Arvind Kejriwal's Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) won a landslide victory in the Delhi State elections earlier this month, dealing a heavy blow to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The capital's Muslim community in particular welcomes the change of power and hopes that communal politics will now finally take a back seat.
By Roma Rajpal Weiss
After the Copenhagen attacks

"We are not afraid"

The Copenhagen attacks are being regarded as a copy of the attacks in Paris a month ago. In this commentary, Barbara Wesel writes that freedom of speech, the separation of church and state, and gender equality are not negotiable, and that Muslims and non-Muslims alike must conduct a more open and critical debate about political Islam
By Barbara Wesel
Egyptian soccer stadium deaths

Black day for the "White Knights"

Three years after the Port Said catastrophe, Egyptian soccer has again been hit by tragedy. At least 22 fans were killed in a stampede and clashes with police outside a stadium in the capital on Sunday, 8 February. Background details from Karim El-Gawhary in Cairo
By Karim El-Gawhary
Killing of Jordanian pilot

United in sorrow, united against IS

IS's brutal killing of a Jordanian fighter pilot has shaken the people of Jordan and united the nation. The war and chaos in neighbouring Syria and Iraq no longer seem as far away as they used to. By Tania Kramer in Amman
By Tania Krämer
Saudi Arabia and Iran after the death of King Abdullah

No prospect of rapprochement

The rivalry between Saudi Arabia and Iran has been known to reach explosive heights on occasion. Deadly proxy conflicts are currently raging in a number of flash points in the Middle East. By Adnan Tabatabai
By Adnan Tabatabai
The West's strategy in the Middle East

Hollow alliance

The islands of stability in the Arab-Islamic world are shrinking. In the face of war and chaos, the West continues to cling to its new-old allies: the "moderate Sunni regimes". The aim of this alliance, which purportedly shares goals and ideals, is that "good Islam" will conquer "bad Islam" with Western support. By Stefan Buchen
By Stefan Buchen
Peace initiatives for Syria

Negotiate locally, implement internationally

A comprehensive solution to the Syria conflict is still a distant prospect. And "freezing" the fighting will not succeed without UN monitoring. If the suffering of the people is to be alleviated and a foundation of trust laid for negotiations, local initiatives must be implemented with international support, says Kristin Helberg
By Kristin Helberg