Politics
Topics
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The GulfBahrain – where human rights don’t count
The catastrophic human rights situation in Bahrain is being largely ignored by the rest of the world. Despite all the damning evidence, which includes a Human Rights Watch report, the West is unlikely to apply any pressure on the regime due to geostrategic interests. By Diana Hodali
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Iranian economyThe causes of Iran's economic woes
Talks to salvage the 2015 Iranian nuclear deal have entered their eighth round in Vienna. Even if a deal is struck and some of the sanctions are lifted, the state of the Iranian economy is such that there can be little hope that any relief provided by a revived agreement will trickle down to the general population. By Ali Fathollah-Nejad
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Terrorism in PakistanAfghan Taliban do little to stop Pakistan Taliban
The Pakistani Taliban, known by the acronym TTP, are regrouping and reorganising, with their leadership headquartered in neighbouring Afghanistan, according to a U.N. report from July. That is raising fears among Pakistanis of a return of the horrific violence the group once inflicted
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Yemen conflictMarib: from refuge to battlefield
The city of Marib is the most important place of refuge in Yemen for those displaced in the country. But fighting between Houthi rebels and government troops is currently escalating there, further exacerbating the humanitarian catastrophe. Karim El-Gawhary reports
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Bangladesh turns 50Pakistan's greatest defeat remains taboo
In 1971, Bangladesh seceded from Pakistan after a bloody civil war to become independent. But the events of that time are still largely taboo today. A reappraisal of this central chapter in Pakistan's history has yet to take place. Analysis by Mohammad Luqman
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Turkey-Africa summitErdogan scores "Made in Turkey" points
Ankara staged its third Turkey-Africa summit on 17 December, a sign of growing economic partnership under President Erdogan. Military co-operation is also a hot topic. Martina Schwikowski, Daniel Bellut and Pelin Unker have the details
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Middle EastIraq: IS returnees met with tolerance – and distrust
In Iraq, returning families of IS fighters have to turn to local initiatives for help, as there is no official path home. Judit Neurink met with families on the ground
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Russia, Israel and the Syrian conflictCurbing Iran's influence
Russia and Israel are pursuing a common interest in Syria: they both want to combat Iranian expansionism. By Markus Bickel
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TurkeyJoint Kurdish plan? Turkish opposition hope for election boost
For the first time in 19 years, polls suggest Turkey's opposition could be on track to defeat President Erdogan at the next election. To boost their appeal to Kurdish voters, politicians are now talking openly about solving the Kurdish issue. But how sincere are they and how realistic their chances of success? Leyla Egeli reports
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Mafia scandal in TurkeyMafia ties run deep in AKP politics
Rarely have the links between Turkish politics and organised crime been as apparent as they are at present. Right-wing extremist mafia godfathers from the Grey Wolves are increasingly appearing in government circles. So what's behind all this? Daniel Derya Bellut has the details
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Between Russia and AfghanistanKyrgyzstan – fragile democracy in Central Asia
China to the east, Russia to the north, Afghanistan to the south: in this geopolitical environment, Kyrgyzstan, which has been independent since 1991, is attempting to make progress – and is finding the going tough. Marcel Fuerstenau visited the country in Central Asia
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Sudan's coup puppetmastersThe UAE – pulling Sudanese strings
Sudan is the exception to the rule in the United Arab Emirates’ counter-revolutionary playbook, writes James M. Dorsey. In contrast to Egypt or Yemen, where it went out of its way to help roll back the achievements of popular revolts, the UAE was happy to see the back of Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir
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