Politics

South Africa's lawsuit at the International Court of Justice

In the centre of an international legal maelstrom

Amidst rising geopolitical competition, South Africa has sought to position itself as a leading voice of the global south. The country sits outside the complex geopolitics that plague the Middle East but taking Israel to the International Court of Justice underlines the countries intentions, to play a new global role.
By Ronak Gopaldas & Priyal Singh
Post war order for Israel and Palestine

Robust resurrection of the peace process

Formulating a common strategy for peace and stability, optimizing cooperation with Arab countries, and implementing effective dialogue formats and cultural and economic policies. Just a few practical measures how the EU can provide positive impetus for a post-war order.
By Lina Khatib
Europe and the Middle East

“Context is crucial”

Up to now, the EU has not assumed a significant mediation role in the Middle East. How can the EU foster trust and effectively contribute to a lasting peace solution following the Gaza conflict? What approach should it take towards authoritarian regimes in the region? Middle East historian Lorenzo Kamel offers insights.
By William Billows
Recognition of the Palestinian State

Reducing the power gap

The mere recognition of Palestine as a state will not be the panacea, but it will be the essential, decisive turning point on the road to a just and sustainable solution to one of the most protracted and volatile conflicts in modern history.
By Yossi Mekelberg
Europe and the Middle East conflict

“Strict observance of international law”

Recently, Norway, followed by the EU countries Ireland and Spain, has recognized a Palestinian state. How should the European Union respond and establish a unified stance? Can Europe provide positive impetus and ideas for a post-war order? How could these be realized?
By H. A. Hellyer
Turkey in NATO

Relationship status difficult

A more active role for Turkey in NATO, as demanded by the Turkish government, would be appropriate in view of the geopolitical challenges, but is meeting resistance within the alliance. How can the defence alliance achieve greater unity?
By Yaşar Aydın
A new phase in the Middle East conflict

History and the war on Gaza

According to the Palestinian-American historian Rashid Khalidi, the Middle East conflict and the war in Gaza are in many ways a consequence of imperial interventions. “Resolution can only be based on dismantling entrenched structures of supremacy and discrimination”, he asserts. Only in this way a two-state solution can be realised.
By Rashid Khalidi
Relations with the Middle East

Europe can still make a difference

The European Union is faced with the challenge of finding a common line towards the Middle East that both takes into account the different national positions and promotes a coherent foreign policy. How can this be realized?
By Ehud Yaari
What is anti-Semitism?

How do you differentiate?

A new anthology sheds light on the various forms of anti-Semitism and the academic debate surrounding it in the light of current controversial debates
By Daniel Marwecki
The rise of Israel's religious nationalist sect

Political Islam, political Judaism

The 7 October Hamas attacks fanned the flames of a movement already virulent in Israel. Ever since, religious nationalists have been consolidating their influence. In Germany, where politicians prefer to focus solely on the dangers of Islamism, it is easier to ignore such developments
By Stefan Buchen
Iraq's autonomous Kurdistan

Kurds drifting away from democracy

In Iraq's autonomous Kurdistan, regional elections are being repeatedly postponed, institutions weakened and structures are becoming more autocratic
By Birgit Svensson
War in Gaza

When children are seen as the enemy

A racist view of Palestinian children contributes to an acceptance of the fact that they are dying in their thousands in Gaza
By Charlotte Wiedemann