Politics

Arab Spring ten years on

Tunisia is paralysed by a political culture of consensus

Recent unrest shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone who's followed Tunisia's trajectory. The image of the North African country as the only "survivor" of the uprisings in the region is misleading, writes Sarah Mersch
By Sarah Mersch
27th Men's Handball World Championship

Egypt 2021, Abdul Fattah al-Sisi’s search for a fig leaf

Hosting major sports tournaments can confer prestige on a country, but in the case of Egypt, the 2021 Handball World Championship will do little to repair relations with either the United States, Italy, or the Arab Gulf states, argues James M. Dorsey
By James M. Dorsey
Saudi Arabia and the U.S.

MbS courts Joe Biden over Iran fears and the economy

After months out of the spotlight, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has returned centre-stage with diplomatic and economic moves that diplomats say are aimed at showing the new U.S. president he is a valuable partner who can get things done
Facing down Turkey's Recep Tayyip Erdogan

The chutzpah of opposition politician Canan Kaftancioglu

Left-wing CHP leader Canan Kaftancioglu inflicted a humiliating defeat on Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Istanbul in 2019. Now the Turkish president wants revenge in court. Yet Kaftancioglu seems unlikely to go down without a fight, having recently sued both Erdogan and his interior minister for defamation, after they branded her a "terrorist". By Daniel Bellut
By Daniel Bellut
Interview with human rights activist Rabah Arkam

Algeria's protesters continue their "Revolution of Smiles"

The coronavirus pandemic brought mass pro-democracy protests in Algeria to an abrupt end. Exploiting the distraction engendered by the health crisis, the new Algerian government has launched a crackdown on opponents and activists. Can the new constitution be instrumental in bringing about change? Elisa Rheinheimer-Chabbi spoke to Algerian-American human rights activist Rabah Arkam
By Elisa Rheinheimer
EU migration policy

Refugees face hopeless situation in Bosnia & Herzegovina

Tents, mud and cold: refugees contend with miserable conditions in Bosnia & Herzegovina. With the European Union demanding that Bosnia accommodate the asylum-seekers, its borders look set to remain tightly closed. Marina Strauss reports from Bihac
By Marina Strauss
Green hydrogen in Saudi Arabia

From oil giant to green powerhouse?

Although Saudi Arabia seeks to diversify its energy sector and economy away from fossil fuels, the OPEC leader is eager to maintain its status as a fuel exporter giant by leveraging cheap solar and wind power to produce green hydrogen. By Stasa Salacanin
By Stasa Salacanin
Kyrgyzstan elections

Zhaparov's seduction of the people

Polls have opened as Kyrgyzstan votes for a new president and on constitutional change. In autumn, protests brought down the government – now the freedoms they fought for are at stake. Emily Sherwin reports from Bishkek.
By Emily Sherwin
Reconciliation between Saudi Arabia and Qatar

A turning point for the whole Middle East?

Saudi Arabia and its allies have agreed to set aside their differences with Qatar at a summit meeting of the Gulf Cooperation Council. The restoration of diplomatic relations could have strategic resonance far beyond the Gulf nations and change the entire region. By Karim El-Gawhary
By Karim El-Gawhary
Economic crisis in Lebanon

The subsidy quandary

Flour, medicine, fuel … a whole range of essential goods is subsidised in Lebanon. If the subsidies stop, then prices, poverty and the possibility of conflict increases. If they don't, the country runs out of money. Local experts say they have an answer. They just need politicians to act on it. Cathrin Schaer reports from Beirut
By Cathrin Schaer
Algeria: how the Hirak fared in 2020

Protestors still calling for genuine democracy

Algeria has not found peace since Abdelaziz Bouteflika, who was president for 20 years, resigned under massive public pressure in April 2019. On 1 November 2020, the government held a constitutional referendum to end the political crisis. But things did not work out as it planned. On the contrary, the rifts between the regime and the pro-democracy movement have deepened further. The opposition now wants to use the momentum from the latest wave of protests to better organise itself. By Sofian Philip Naceur
By Sofian Philip Naceur
Interview with political scientist Abdalhadi Alijla

Trust in the state is a precious commodity

In his most recent book, "Trust in Divided Societies: State, Institutions and Governance in Lebanon, Syria and Palestine", political scientist Abdalhadi Alijla writes that not culture, but the failure of state institutions is what is causing the crisis of statehood in the Middle East. In this interview with Tugrul von Mende, Alijla argues for the reconfiguration of incompetent state bodies as a means of regaining the public's trust
By Tugrul von Mende