Politics

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
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
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
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