Politics

Iran-China 25-year Cooperation Programme

The Islamic Republic's timely vaccine against U.S. pressure?

On 27 March, Iran and China signed a 25-year accord intended to foster "strategic co-operation". Despite ongoing uncertainty over the deal's actual scope, content and chances of realisation, the agreement has been hailed by Iranian officials as nothing less than a game-changer when it comes to securing the interests of the Islamic Republic. By Ali Fathollah-Nejad and Amin Naeni
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China in the Middle East

Beijing's new charm offensive

The last week in March saw China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi visit six countries in the Middle East: Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Iran, the United Arab Emirates, Oman and Bahrain. Two initiatives in particular are sending the clearest signal yet that China may be gearing up to play a greater political role in the Middle East. By James M. Dorsey
By James M. Dorsey
Political turbulence in Turkey

Turkey's President Erdogan under pressure

The economy in crisis, approval ratings at an all-time low, rising tension within government ranks: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is currently under massive pressure. Nevertheless, the USA and the EU seem to be coming to his rescue. By Marion Sendker in Istanbul
By Marion Sendker
Six years of Yemen conflict

Nearly 700,000 Yemenis expected to flee their homes this year

With the world's worst humanitarian crisis now entering its seventh year, the United Nations predicts that another 672,000 people could be displaced by the end of 2021 if the current level of violence continues. Already this year, 834 civilian homes have been hit by gun violence.
Islamophobia and anti-Semitism

Cancel Culture restricts freedom of expression in France?

In Grenoble, France, two professors have been pilloried in a dispute over the use – or otherwise – of the term Islamophobia. Is freedom of speech in jeopardy? By Stefan Dege and Heike Mund
By Stefan Dege, Heike Mund
Saudi Arabia, MbS and dissent

Who’s afraid of Princess Basmah?

With Trump out of office, Saudi Arabi’s Crown Prince MbS has lost one of his key protectors. Dissidents are seizing their opportunity to muster support. The latest case to be brought to international attention is that of a Saudi princess and her daughter, abducted and held without charge. By Jannis Hagmann
By Jannis Hagmann
10 years of war in Syria

Razan Zeitouneh – the missing face of Syria's revolution

Razan Zeitouneh fought for justice in Syria and made enemies on all sides. Then she disappeared without a trace. Her fate remains unknown to this day. On the tenth anniversary of the revolution, Lewis Sanders, Birgitta Schulke-Gill, Wafaa Al Badry and Julia Bayer look back on her life
By Lewis Sanders IV, Birgitta Schuelke-Gill, Wafaa Al Badry, Julia Bayer
India and the farmers' protests

Solidarity mounts against Narendra Modi's BJP

The farmers' protests in India show no signs of abating – despite repressive measures. Government attempts to stigmatise the farmers have only prompted sections of the urban middle class to support the uprising. And the boundaries between the different religious identities, repeatedly invoked by the Hindu nationalists in the ruling party BJP, also appear to be softening. By Dominik Muller
By Dominik Müller
Interview with Georgian historian Beka Kobakhidze

Europe risks being outmanoeuvred in the restive Caucasus

The balance of power on Europe's eastern borders is shifting. Georgian historian Beka Kobakhidze speaks from Tbilisi about rivalry and emerging alliances in the region, an impotent EU and disappointed pro-democracy activists. Interview by Elisa Rheinheimer-Chabbi
By Elisa Rheinheimer
The generals, the Buddhists and the Rohingya

Myanmar's Gen Z – "You messed with the wrong generation"

Protests against the 1 February military coup, which ousted Aun San Suu Kyi, continue in Myanmar despite an increasingly brutal crackdown. At the same time there are signs that widespread public resentment against the country's Muslim Rohingya minority may be softening. Dominik Muller reports
By Dominik Müller
The papal visit to Iraq

The blessing of Pope Francis – "Salaam, salaam, salaam"

The Pope’s journey to the "land between the rivers": places of terror and a dialogue to promote hope and optimism. His meeting with Shia Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani was a milestone in the history of Christian-Islamic dialogue. Birgit Svensson reports from Baghdad
By Birgit Svensson
From failed state to fragile state?

Somalia and the rocky road towards greater stability

With elections on the horizon and an altered African Union mission, Somalia was meant to enter a new phase of stabilisation in 2021. But both have been postponed, and the present government seems ill-equipped to shoulder the country's considerable challenges. It is time for external stakeholders to name their terms, says Annette Weber
By Annette Weber