Politics

Middle East

A new Arab Spring, thanks to the Ukraine war?

The price of bread is rising rapidly in the Middle East, thanks to concerns about wheat supply from Ukraine and Russia. In the past, such increases have led to violent protests and political upheaval. By Cathrin Schaer
By Cathrin Schaer
Yemen, Ukraine, the world

Fighting fake news and disinformation

Sidq Yemen, an independent online platform, specialises in fact-checking viral Yemeni news stories and countering mis/disinformation. Hannah Porter spoke to its head of communications about fake news in Yemen
By Hannah Porter
Pakistan's troubled province

Balochistan – tradition versus globalisation

Attacks by separatist groups in Balochistan, Pakistan's largest province, have increased recently. Mohammad Luqman looks into what is driving the flare-up in this frequently overlooked region
By Mohammad Luqman
East Jerusalem decision

Sheikh Jarrah at a crossroads

A surprise ruling by Israel’s Supreme Court earlier this month produced a rare sigh of relief from Palestinians in Sheikh Jarrah, but the struggle isn’t over. Reporting from Jerusalem, Noam Yatsiv describes the implications of the recent ruling and where things could go from here
By Noam Yatsiv
Ukraine war

Learn from Israel and you learn how to beat Putin

Across the political divides, Ukrainians regard the Jewish state as a model of both defensible strength and modern nation-building. The war is now putting this admiration to the test, reports Joseph Croitoru
By Joseph Croitoru
War in Ukraine

Stress test for the Arab world

It’s unusual for the troubled Middle East to be looking at a war in Europe. And in that unfamiliar situation, Arab nations are jostling to adopt a position on the issue – as was evidenced by the show of spectacular shilly-shallying by the wealthy United Arab Emirates in recent days. Karim El-Gawhary reports from Cairo
By Karim El-Gawhary
Arms to Ukraine

How useful are Turkish-made drones fighting in Ukraine?

Propaganda videos boasting of the successes of the Turkish-made Bayraktar TB2 drones in the Ukraine war are popular on social media. Elmas Topcu asks what role these drones are really playing in the conflict
By Elmas Topcu
Aegean tensions on the rise

Erdogan's "charm offensive" doesn't include Greece

It seems yesterday's words are water under the bridge. Turkish foreign policy is currently undergoing a profound re-orientation: declared enemies are to become partners, opponents allies. But not when it comes to Greece. By Ronald Meinardus
By Ronald Meinardus
War in Ukraine

Iran's conflict of interests

On the one hand, the Islamic rulers of Iran are sitting around the same table with the West to solve the nuclear conflict. On the other, their political ally Russia is at war with a European country – in direct contravention of United Nations articles. By Nasrin Bassiri
By Nasrin Bassiri
Ukraine conflict

Turkey and Israel eye co-operation in Central Asia

As Russia advances across the Ukraine, the geopolitical cards are being reshuffled in the Middle East. On the agenda is closer economic and security cooperation between Israel and the Turkic countries. James M. Dorsey reports
By James M. Dorsey
What to do with Assad?

Taming Syria’s rogue man

The more-for-more approach could kickstart the deadlocked political process, but it won't resolve the conflict in Syria. Assad must go. Any strategy that fails to bear this in mind long-term is not only unfair to Syrians and humanity as a whole, but will plant the seeds for the next conflict in the region. By Karam Shaar
By Karam Shaar
Muslims, Hindus & Sikhs

India's anti-BJP groundswell

In November 2021, the Modi government assured India's protesting farmers that it would withdraw three pieces of controversial agricultural legislation. Upcoming state election results, due in February and March in protest strongholds Uttar Pradesh and Punjab, have rarely been so eagerly awaited. By Dominik Muller
By Dominik Müller