Politics

Interview with Asef Bayat

Examining the Arab Spring revolutions from within

Asef Bayat, professor of Sociology at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, has been studying revolutions and how they affect people since 1979. In his recent book, "Revolutionary Life: The Everyday of the Arab Spring", Bayat takes a new approach to studying revolutions by focusing on how they affect citizens in their everyday lives. Tugrul von Mende spoke to him about how his understanding of revolutions has changed over the past 20 years
By Tugrul von Mende
The Gulf

Bahrain – 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
By Diana Hodali
Iranian economy

The 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
By Ali Fathollah-Nejad
Terrorism in Pakistan

Afghan 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
Yemen conflict

Marib: 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
By Karim El-Gawhary
Bangladesh turns 50

Pakistan'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
By Mohammad Luqman
Turkey-Africa summit

Erdogan 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
By Martina Schwikowski, Daniel Derya Bellut, Pelin Ünker
Middle East

Iraq: 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
By Judit Neurink
Russia, Israel and the Syrian conflict

Curbing Iran's influence

Russia and Israel are pursuing a common interest in Syria: they both want to combat Iranian expansionism. By Markus Bickel
By Markus Bickel
Turkey

Joint 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
By Leyla Egeli
Mafia scandal in Turkey

Mafia 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
By Daniel Derya Bellut
Between Russia and Afghanistan

Kyrgyzstan – 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
By Marcel Fürstenau