Politics

Rebranded MbS meets Macron: Rights groups decry 'hypocrisy'

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman meets French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris. The visit aims to boost bilateral ties and the oil kingdom's international standing. But human rights groups warn that the Saudis' gain is France’s loss.
Libyan oil and shopping malls

Will Libya unite over its newfound liquidity?

New roads, public parks and expansive reconstruction – Libya has recently seen an influx of cash from oil sales and locals are hopeful. But the economic progress also has a dark side. By Cathrin Schaer and Islam Alatrash
By Cathrin Schaer & Islam Alatrash
Imran Khan and Pakistan's power struggle

Populism devours its children

On 9 May Pakistan became embroiled in yet another political crisis. Many are interpreting the crackdown on Imran Khan's PTI as a battle for democracy. Mohammad Luqman explains for Qantara.de why this is not the case
By Mohammad Luqman
Morocco-Europe relations

Unauthorised brokers obstructing Schengen visas

Morocco's system for allocating Schengen visa application appointments has been hijacked by unauthorised brokers. Moroccans are finding travelling to Europe increasingly difficult, despite the lifting of pandemic-related travel restrictions in 2022. Ismail Azzam reports
By Ismail Azzam
Pakistan's economic crisis

Sovereign debt overload

Pakistan's economy is in deep crisis and things are deteriorating fast. Many problems have domestic causes, but these are being compounded by global trends. By Sundus Saleemi
By Sundus Saleemi
Turkey election fallout

Erdogan no winner, despite opposition defeat

The Turkish opposition was defeated in the run-off, with candidate Kemal Kilicdaroglu failing to unseat long-time ruler Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who will rule the country for another five years. But the president is hardly the winner. Ayse Karabat reports from Istanbul
By Ayşe Karabat
Turkey election fallout

Voting for the devil you know

Three crises – including the economy and earthquakes – likely counted towards Recep Tayyip Erdogan's election win. That and the fact that all the means of the Turkish state were at his disposal during campaigning. By Erkan Arikan
By Erkan Arikan
Turkey election run-off

Too much politics of fear from Kilicdaroglu?

Turkey's presidential run-off between Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Kemal Kilicdaroglu takes place on 28 May. Why were so many surprised by the initial outcome? And why the opposition's sudden political shift to the right? Political scientist Berk Esen talks to Ceyda Nurtsch
By Ceyda Nurtsch
Shia clerics in Iran

"Save Islam" – or just the mullahs?

Are the Shia clergy disappearing as a pillar of Iranian society, degenerating into a mere power apparatus? Nationwide attacks, vilification and the murder, or attempted murder, of mullahs are becoming more frequent. Every turban wearer is seen as representing and symbolising the hated regime. By Ali Sadrzadeh
By Ali Sadrzadeh
Elections in Turkey

Turkish nationalists on the rise

Neither Erdogan's botched response to the February quakes nor the ailing economy seem to have hurt his popularity with supporters. The president is still capable of turning things around, says Erkan Arikan
By Erkan Arikan
Elections in Turkey

The end of the Erdogan era?

As polling day on 14 May approaches, opinion polls put Turkey's opposition leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu ahead of President Erdogan. Could this mean that Erdoğan's time at the helm of the nation is almost over? An analysis by Yasar Aydin
By Yaşar Aydın
Turkish elections

Can Turkey's Gen Z tip the scales?

In Turkey's presidential and parliamentary elections on 14 May, one in five eligible voters will be under the age of 30. What does Generation Z want, and will it end up deciding the elections? By Ceyda Nurtsch
By Ceyda Nurtsch