Politics

Turkey's realpolitik in the Gulf

Dropping long-held convictions to seek deeper ties

Recep Tayyip Erdogan's visit to the Gulf states in July was his most productive so far, signing defence cooperation and other deals worth billions of dollars. But is a strategic partnership really possible while Turkey and the UAE continue to back conflicting sides in various regional crises? By Leyla Egeli
By Leyla Egeli
Taliban Afghanistan 2 years on

Report from a forgotten land

15 August 2023 marked the second anniversary of the Taliban's return to Afghanistan. Emran Feroz recently travelled through the country – here is his exclusive report for Qantara.de on everyday life in Kabul
By Emran Feroz
Benjamin Netanyahu's judicial reforms

Israeli government and the Supreme Court at loggerheads

Benjamin Netanyahu's government is set on curtailing the powers of the judiciary. But the judges will not give up without a fight. What happens next will determine just how endangered Israel's democratic system really is. By Joseph Croitoru
By Joseph Croitoru
Morocco

Mohammed VI turns 60: Diplomacy a priority as inequalities persist

Morocco's King Mohammed VI is set to celebrate his 60th birthday on 21 August away from the public eye, as challenges abound almost a quarter century after he ascended the throne
Sweden Koran burnings

Playing to the radicals

As Sweden grapples with the diplomatic fallout of a series of Koran burnings, radicals on all sides are rubbing their hands and exploiting the moment. Birgit Svensson travelled from Baghdad to Stockholm to get the full picture
By Birgit Svensson
Taliban Afghanistan's double whammy

Afghans face a failing economy and high taxation

Almost two years after the Taliban swept to power, other international crises have distracted attention away from Afghans' suffering amid the country's dire socioeconomic conditions. Looking ahead, Hameed Hakimi asks what are the economic prospects for Afghanistan under the Taliban?
By Hameed Hakimi
Books on the Iran protests

Fighting for freedom in the "mullah state"

Women are the main drivers behind the new revolutionary movement in Iran. Four female authors offer inside views and moving snapshots from a variety of perspectives. Review by Rene Wildangel
By René Wildangel
Ukraine conference in Saudi Arabia

Diplomatic success for the Crown Prince

A meeting in Saudi Arabia about a war in Europe? The conference in Jeddah shows how much the world is changing. Analysis by Karim El-Gawhary from Cairo
By Karim El-Gawhary
Israel shifts to the right

Neo-Zionism takes aim at liberal democracy

German-Israeli historian Tamar Amar-Dahl sheds light on the role of long-term Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Israel's ongoing shift to the right. Joseph Croitoru read the book
By Joseph Croitoru
Migrants and Germany's gig economy

"ReWolt" against Wolt

The "ReWolt" campaign waged since the spring by migrant delivery couriers against gig economy giant Wolt in Berlin came to a head this week, with three claimants, who have accused the company of wage theft, getting their day in court. By Minerwa Tahir
By Minerwa Tahir
France after the Nahel riots

Healing racism wounds through culture

It's calm in France's suburbs again after the recent riots. But cultural activists say the uprising's causes run deep and are calling for fundamental reforms. By Lisa Louis
By Lisa Louis
100 years of the Turkish Republic

The legacy of the Treaty of Lausanne

One hundred years after it was signed, the Treaty of Lausanne is still the subject of political controversy and conspiracy theories. What is the accord's legacy and what role does it play today in Turkey’s domestic and foreign policy decision-making? Analysis by Yasar Aydin
By Yaşar Aydın