Politics

Afghanistan after two years of Taliban rule

The Taliban's second emirate

During their second period of rule, the Taliban appear more moderate in a few select areas. This shift is due to a variety of factors, including international expectations and a more self-confident Afghan society. However, it is not a reason for optimism
By Felix Kugele
Organised crime in Turkey

A haven for international criminals

Lax laws on money laundering, easy access to citizenship, insufficient prosecution – Turkey has grown more attractive for international criminal networks in recent years. In response, the new interior minister has declared a crackdown
By Elmas Topcu
Sunnis and Shias in Islam

How the Sunni-Shia split shaped the Islamic world throughout history

Toby Matthiesen's new book, "The Caliph and the Imam", explores both the origins of the Sunni-Shia divide, what the two branches of Islam have in common and how the split has shaped the Islamic world
By Tugrul von Mende
Turkey's Gaza policy

Between a rock and a hard place

Between domestic pressure to take more action against Israel and pressure from the West regarding its stance on Hamas, Turkey is struggling to balance its Israel policy as it seeks permanent peace in the Middle East
By Ayşe Karabat
Israel-Hamas war

Arab attitudes are hardening against Israel

The prospect of normalised relations between Israel and Arab nations is fading as public anger at Israel's on-going bombardment of Gaza grows. Could it lead to radicalisation or violent extremism in the Middle East?
By Cathrin Schaer
War in Sudan

Conflict fuelled by climate change and the Emirates

The violent conflicts in the western region of Darfur, which were triggered by decades of drought, have now spread to central Sudan, and the United Arab Emirates is adding fuel to the fire
By Roman Deckert
War in Israel and Gaza

Germany's war discourse

The manner in which the escalation of violence in Israel and the Gaza Strip is being discussed is, in many ways, unsurprising
By Hanna Pfeifer, Irene Weipert-Fenner
Israel's goal in Gaza

Can Hamas really be completely 'eliminated'?

The short answer, military analysts say, is "no". The long answer is more complex. Israel's campaign may degrade the group's capabilities, but defeating its ideology is likely impossible without a political solution
By Cathrin Schaer
War in the Middle East

International law – a handy excuse

In the shadow of war, the Israeli government is becoming increasingly radicalised. Is the German government aware of this trend and the risks it poses? There are no signs that it is. Germany doesn't even have a Middle East policy
By Stefan Buchen
Middle East conflict and the Gaza war

"Wake up to the reality of what is happening"

The Hamas terrorism of 7 October was particularly cruel and atrocious. The perpetrators committed terrible crimes. Many Israelis, however, think their own government bears responsibility for the bloodshed that occurred on its watch. Susan Neiman, a Jewish philosopher, shares her views
By Hans Dembowski
Sudan crisis

Mass displacement and death

Over the past month, the conflict between two military groups in Sudan has reached what experts say is a grim turning point. The country's future is even more unclear
By Cathrin Schaer
Palestinians in Iraq

Between sympathy and rejection

Palestinians living in Saddam Hussein's Iraq were courted until his overthrow in 2003, after which they suffered widespread harassment. Ever since the onset of the Israeli offensive in Gaza, however, Iraqis have been keen to show their solidarity
By Birgit Svensson