Politics

Arab popular support for Gaza

How pro-Palestinian protests threaten Middle East autocrats

In some Middle Eastern countries, pro-Palestinian rallies recall pro-democracy protests from 2011. Now, the region's authoritarian leaders are worried the conflict in Gaza could alter the political status quo at home
By Cathrin Schaer
Mustafa Barghouti of the Palestinian National Initiative

"The only solution is the initiation of a true peace process"

Mustafa Barghouti, general-secretary of al-Mubadara – the Palestinian National Initiative – and leading civil rights activist, talks about the ongoing war in Gaza and his vision for peace
By Irene Anastassopoulou
Regional perspectives on the Gaza war

The Middle East conflict is back

In recent years the Israeli-Palestinian conflict had gradually become uncoupled from the other lines of conflict in the Middle East. This "encapsulation of the Middle East conflict" may be off the table for now, but it does nothing to change the parameters of the larger regional struggle for dominance
By Thomas Demmelhuber
War in the Middle East

What's China's stance on the Israel-Hamas conflict?

Beijing is seeking to mediate in the war between Israel and Hamas. China has condemned both parties' violence. Despite this, public hostility towards Israel prevails
By Dang Yuan
War in the Middle East

Five scenarios for the future of Gaza

In the midst of the current war, there is still no concrete plan for the future of Gaza. Preparations for the day after need to be made now. Muriel Asseburg and René Wildangel talk about possible scenarios and what needs to happen
By Muriel Asseburg, René Wildangel
Turkey at 100

A country struggling to find its place

Tensions with the West and ambitions to become a regional peacekeeping power have brought Turkey's grand strategy into focus. Will distancing itself from Western values and ideas of democracy end in the country disengaging from Europe?
By Yaşar Aydın
Turkey at 100

What will become of Ataturk's legacy?

A century ago, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk founded the Turkish Republic based on secular values. Today, many fear his vision is under threat by conservative President Recep Tayyip Erdogan
By Elmas Topcu
Turkey's stance on Hamas

President Erdogan and the shifting sands of geopolitics

Turkey initially pursued a balanced policy in an attempt to mediate between Hamas and Israel, but as Israel continues to pound Gaza, Erdogan has adopted a harsher stance. Tough choices now loom on the horizon for Ankara
By Ayşe Karabat
A history of Hamas

The unpredictable enemy

The Islamist Hamas has been waging a "holy war" against Israel ever since the movement was founded in 1987. After assuming autocratic rule in the Gaza Strip in 2007, it began arming itself for military action. The brutal large-scale attack on the Israeli border territory was a way for Hamas to demonstrate its clout, writes Joseph Croitoru
By Joseph Croitoru
Hamas-Israel conflict

What are the rules, according to international law?

Israel is retaliating after the Hamas terrorist attacks with massive bombings, a total blockade of the Gaza Strip and possibly a ground offensive. What is covered by international law – and what constitutes a war crime? By Matthias von Hein
By Matthias von Hein
Israeli military offensive in Gaza

Forces unleashed in the Middle East

A carte blanche for Netanyahu harbours risks. This applies especially to the military operation in Gaza. Western governments really ought to know this already. An interjection by Stefan Buchen
By Stefan Buchen
Hamas-Israel conflict

Which nation could mediate over Gaza?

The United States, European Union, Russia and China want to help end Israel's conflict with Hamas. However, writes Cathrin Schaer, Middle Eastern states are the ones who will need to step up for humanitarian and diplomatic reasons
By Cathrin Schaer