Politics

Constitutional referendum in Tunisia

What next for the birthplace of the Arab Spring?

According to Tunisia's electoral board, 94.6 percent of valid votes cast in Monday's constitutional referendum were in favour of President Kais Saied's constitution. Turnout was, however, low at only 30.5 per cent. What will the future hold for the North African nation where the Arab Spring began over a decade ago?
Biden's trip to Saudi Arabia

Trading recognition for oil

With his fist bump greeting for a man he previously called a pariah, US President Biden has paved the way for Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's return to the international stage. All other items on the agenda of his Middle East trip faded into the background. By Karim El-Gawhary
By Karim El-Gawhary
Referendum on a new constitution for Tunisia

Rolling back the achievements of the revolution

Tunisians are set to vote on a new constitution on 25 July. The prominent lawyer and women's rights activist Yosra Frawes fears the referendum could facilitate a return to dictatorship. This would also endanger progress on women's rights achieved since 2011. Interview by Claudia Mende for qantara.de
By Claudia Mende
Violence against doctors and lawyers in Turkey

Exposed and at risk

Violence against doctors and lawyers in Turkey has been growing in recent years. But instead of taking action, the government is openly hostile towards two unions representing the interests of people working in these professions. By Ayşe Karabat in Istanbul
By Ayşe Karabat
Indonesia's ties with Russia and the West

Jokowi's tightrope walk

With its traditions of neutrality and non-alignment, Indonesia has had to tiptoe around the Ukraine war debate. Pro-Russia sentiment in the region complicates Jakarta's foreign policy challenges. By David Hutt
By David Hutt
Algeria at 60

No more lethargy – Algiers’ passive foreign policy is over

For the first time since 1989, Algeria‘s authoritarian regime has sent a military parade marching through Algiers. A formidable show of strength designed to impress rival regional powers, the event also sought to highlight the country’s own stance on Israel and Palestine. By Sofian Philip Naceur
By Sofian Philip Naceur
Birthplace of the Arab Spring

Tunisia: a young democracy in peril

Tunisian President Kais Saied is consolidating his authoritarian rule, while Europe stands idly by and misses opportunities to exert influence. Analysis by Isabelle Werenfels
By Isabelle Werenfels
Iran's corruptocracy

Why the Abadan building collapse matters

Days of protests across Iran followed the collapse of a high-rise building in the city of Abadan in May 2022. But why has the disaster become such a political issue? Rahman Bouzari and Ali Fathollah-Nejad report
By Rahman Bouzari und Ali Fathollah-Nejad
Syria and Ukraine

Humanitarian aid is Russia's political football

Millions in Idlib depend on aid coming through a northern border crossing. On 10 July, the UN Security Council votes whether to keep it open. The decision may hinge not only on Syria, but also on the Ukraine war. Diana Hodali reports
By Diana Hodali
$Algeria‘s regime is again cracking down on anti-fracking activists and the unemployed in the country‘s south. Yet EU states remain keen to scale up their energy cooperation with Algiers, despite the reprisals faced by environmentalists.$

Algeria‘s gas reserves

Is defending the environment terrorism?

Algeria‘s regime is again cracking down on anti-fracking activists and the unemployed in the country‘s south. Yet EU countries remain keen to scale up their energy cooperation with Algiers, despite the reprisals faced by environmentalists. By Sofian Philip Naceur
By Sofian Philip Naceur
The Turkish state and the Kurdish question

Turkey – a battle of narratives

For a century, the Kurds and other minorities in Turkey have been subject to state repression. With his dissertation "The Kurdish Question in Turkey", political analyst Ismail Kupeli presents a new research paper on the topic. Interview by Gerrit Wustmann
By Gerrit Wustmann
Middle East conflict

Israel's endless occupation

Fifty-five years after Israel began occupying Palestinian lands, it is more difficult than ever to imagine a way out. The seeds of the two-state solution that were planted by visionary leaders on both sides have failed to take root. All that remains is a fatalistic acceptance of the conflict’s insolubility. Commentary by Schlomo Ben-Ami
By Schlomo Ben-Ami