Politics

Indo-Pakistani relations

Detente over Kashmir following decades of conflict?

Over the years, the relationship between arch-rivals India and Pakistan has been shaped by conflict and confrontation. For some time now, however, both countries have been singing a more conciliatory tune. Is this the dawn of a lasting detente in South Asia? By Mohammad Luqman
By Mohammad Luqman
Northern Syria's humanitarian disaster

Syria's IDPs – waiting for death in Idlib

Millions of people in Syria's Idlib region depend on foreign aid that passes through only one border crossing. The UN mandate regulating passage through it will expire on 10 July; a humanitarian disaster looms if it isn't renewed. Diana Hodali reports
By Diana Hodali
DW documentary: Who's behind Islamist terrorism?

Intelligence and the business with terror

Who’s financing, planning and commissioning terror attacks in Europe? This investigative documentary follows a trail that leads to Pakistan’s intelligence service, the ISI, which seems not only to fight terror, but sponsor it as well
The controversial Jerusalem Declaration

Why the world needs a new definition of anti-Semitism

Years ago, the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance formulated how hatred of Jews can be recognised. Now a new definition is causing controversy. By Sarah Judith Hofmann
By Sarah Judith Hofmann
Conflict between Ankara and Athens

Has Erdogan's foreign policy hit rock bottom?

The change in U.S. president is also having an impact on the conflict between Turkey and Greece. Since the USA has started to play the Greek card, the strategic situation in the Eastern Mediterranean has shifted to Turkey's disadvantage. Ronald Meinardus reports from Istanbul
By Ronald Meinardus
International Libya Conference in Berlin

Libyans harbour high hopes for a transition to stability

The Libya Conference will be held in Berlin on 23 June. Much has been achieved since the last Libya Conference in Berlin in January 2020. The ceasefire is holding, there is a united interim government for the first time and parliamentary elections are scheduled for 24 December. But the path ahead remains strewn with obstacles. By Karim El-Gawhary
By Karim El-Gawhary
Elections in Iran

Khamenei shuts down opposition ahead of upcoming ballot

In the run up to Iran’s presidential election, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has sought to entrench his power. Alex Vatanka asks whether a sharp slump in voter turnout will reveal the extent of popular discontent
By Alex Vatanka
India's farmers vs. Narendra Modi

"Modi and the BJP are destroying the country"

In India, hundreds of thousands of farmers are fighting doggedly against laws passed by Narendra Modi’s government to liberalise agriculture. In a nationwide campaign, more than forty farmers’ organisations have called on Indian voters to deny the ruling BJP party their votes in future elections. Dominik Muller reports
By Dominik Müller
Israeli-Palestinian dialogue

Israel, Palestine – and nuance as the moral imperative

As someone accustomed to presenting his country to interested outsiders, Israeli teacher and tour guide Noam Yatsiv makes the case for a more nuanced appreciation of the historical circumstances in Israel/Palestine, deeming it a "moral obligation" of European observers
By Noam Yatsiv
How much longer till Turkey's elections?

President under pressure – Erdogan's popularity nosedive

Turkey's parliamentary and presidential elections are scheduled for June 2023. But they are already casting a shadow. While the opposition is calling for early elections, President Erdogan is insisting on holding the elections in the highly symbolic year of 2023. For right now, his ratings are poor. Ronald Meinardus reports from Istanbul
By Ronald Meinardus
Iran's 2021 presidential elections

Iran's elite politicians ignore the burning social issues

Despite promises to the contrary, the social and economic situation in Iran deteriorated under President Rouhani, prompting two nationwide revolts in recent years. Yet the social question continues to be neglected by all factions of the elite. Meanwhile the country urgently needs social reform. By Ali Fathollah-Nejad and Arash Sarkohi
By Ali Fathollah-Nejad, Arash Sarkohi
Loyalty and legitimacy in Syria

Bashar al-Assad's staging of the presidential election

By stage-managing his re-election in a poll widely dismissed as a farce, Syria's President Bashar al-Assad has killed two birds with one stone: he has forced his compatriots to demonstrate their loyalty and submission and will use the outcome to get money from abroad. He needs both to stay in power. By Kristin Helberg
By Kristin Helberg