Politics

LGBTQ+ rights in Turkey

Anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric intensifies

During this year's election campaigns, Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan vilified the LGBTQ+ community in an attempt to strengthen his support among conservative voters and drive a wedge between the parties of the opposition alliance. Now the government wants to introduce constitutional amendments that rights groups fear would further marginalise LGBTQ+ people. By Ayşe Karabat
By Ayşe Karabat
Russia, Assad, UN?

How to get aid to millions in Syria now

The UN mandate that allowed humanitarian agencies to send aid through a single border crossing in northern Syria has lapsed. The future of such deliveries is now worryingly unclear. By Cathrin Schaer and Omar Albam
By Cathrin Schaer & Omar Albam
Assad's rehabilitation

Enforce sanctions instead of normalising the Assad regime

The Arab League's decision to bring Syria back into the fold after 12 years in isolation shocked Syrians the world over. Rebekka Rexhausen examines what led to this development and argues that the West must adhere to a human rights-centred foreign policy to address authoritarianism in Syria
By Rebekka Rexhausen
War in Sudan

No hope for peace as fighting intensifies

With peace talks running into a dead end, the UN is warning of destabilisation in Sudan. According to experts, the warring parties have no interest in reaching a truce but seek to consolidate their respective power. By Martina Schwikowski
By Martina Schwikowski
Koran-burning in Sweden

The Iraqi Christian turned radical

It was an Iraqi with Christian roots – Salwan Momeka – who staged the burning of the Koran in Stockholm last week. In doing so, he wanted to get even with his countrymen. Birgit Svensson reports from Baghdad
By Birgit Svensson
France's 'Nahel' riots

A legacy of colonial racism?

The rioting in France seems to have eased off, but what will remain is anger. The issue of racism that is linked to the country's colonial past is more often than not brushed aside. Marina Strauss reports from Brussels
By Marina Strauss
Death of teen Nahel

France: A chronicle of police violence

Riots have gripped France for days since the fatal police shooting of a teenager on 27 June. It's just the latest in a series of allegedly racist incidents that protesters say the state has failed to adequately address, writes Oliver Pieper
By Oliver Pieper
Afghanistan

The Taliban’s "War on Terror"

In their battle against the Islamic State's Afghan cell, the Taliban have appropriated the tactics of their former enemy: the Afghan government and its U.S. backers. They, however, are more likely to receive support from regional actors. Analysis by Emran Feroz
By Emran Feroz
Economic diplomacy

Who wants to invest in Syria now?

Recent events may indicate the world wants to start doing business with Syria again, despite its government being accused of war crimes. But, asks Cathrin Schaer, how likely is it China, the EU and Gulf states will start spending big there?
By Cathrin Schaer
Trading in amphetamines

How Syria became a narco state

Captagon is now Syria's biggest export by far, dwarfing all its legal exports put together, according to estimates drawn from official data. An amphetamine derived from a once-legal treatment for narcolepsy and attention deficit disorder, it has become a huge drug in the Gulf, with Saudi Arabia by far the biggest market
India and the BJP

The Modi decade

From the expansion of India's infrastructure to rapid technological diffusion, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s nine years in office have included plenty of worthy achievements. Unfortunately, writes Shashi Tharoor, they have also featured flawed policies in a wide range of areas
By Shashi Tharoor
Exclusive: Egyptian activist Sanaa Seif

"Egypt's regime must overcome its paranoia"

President Abdul Fattah Al-Sisi is driven by the fear of a new uprising, says activist Sanaa Seif. In interview, she talks about the fight to release her brother Alaa Abdel Fattah – and why the West should exert more pressure. Andrea Backhaus met up with her in London
By Andrea Backhaus