Politics

Iranian Faezeh Hashemi, Rafsanjani's daughter, speaks out

Will the Islamic Republic ever get a female president?

Iran's social media was buzzing in January when, Faezeh Hashemi, daughter of Iran’s former President Rafsanjani gave a controversial interview, striking a chord with many Iranians. Questioning the merits of Tehran’s regional policy of "resistance" pursued by the late General Soleimani, Hashemi went on to assert that it will take sustained pressure to change the Islamic Republic’s policies. By Ali Fathollah-Nejad
By Ali Fathollah-Nejad
Lebanon and COVID-19

Coronavirus lockdown weighs heavy on a country in crisis

Coronavirus, economic crisis and an unresolved explosion: the situation in Lebanon is tense and a new lockdown is only making things worse for a people already suffering trauma and economic devastation. Diana Hodali reports
By Diana Hodali
Statement released by Human Rights Watch

"Critical juncture" for human rights in Egypt

More than 100 organisations consider the situation in Egypt under head of state Abdul Fattah al-Sisi to be so bad that they are calling for the UN Human Rights Council to intervene
Five years after the murder of Giulio Regeni

Europe's dangerous Egypt policy

Egypt has never been called to account for the murder of Giulio Regeni, nor for the numerous human rights violations committed by the Sisi regime. Focusing only on stability, European governments are increasingly losing touch with actual developments in Egypt, say Lars Brozus and Stephan Roll
By Stephan Roll und Lars Brozus
Tunisia ten years after the Arab Spring

Where are the democratic dividends for Tunisians?

Tunisia has launched a successful transition to democracy, but difficult economic and social times lie ahead. According to political scientist Said AlDailami, Europe should focus more on joint interests in its co-operation with the North African state. Interview conducted by Claudia Mende
By Claudia Mende
Charting the history of Iran sanctions

The Islamic Republic's never-ending labour pains

The Islamic Republic of Iran has been subject to sanctions ever since its creation in 1979. The more the regime has entrenched itself and expanded its power in the region, the more sophisticated the sanctions have become, effectively crippling the country. Will they ever end? Ali Sadrzadeh traces their history
By Ali Sadrzadeh
Human rights violations in Egypt

Demanding President Sisi free his political prisoners

Ten years after the Tahrir square protests in Cairo, Egypt’s human rights record is disastrous. On the occasion of the anniversary of the 2011 revolution, several international campaigns are calling for the release of imprisoned activists. By Sofian Philip Naceur
By Sofian Philip Naceur
Turkey seeks its role in the Middle East

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's foreign policy rethink

Turkey is largely isolated in the Middle East. Partners are few and far between. Its closest ally, Qatar, has just made peace with its neighbours. Together with the change of power in the USA, this is forcing Ankara to rethink. Background by Kersten Knipp
By Kersten Knipp
Interview with Israeli philosopher Omri Boehm

The Haifa Republic – full equality for Middle East peace

Given that the political landscape in Israel is once more expected to shift to the right in the upcoming general elections, philosopher Omri Boehm argues in his forthcoming book – "A future for Israel" – for more open discussion on alternatives to the failed two-state solution, including the taboo concept of a Jewish state. Interview by Rene Wildangel for Qantara.de
By René Wildangel
Gas resources in the Eastern Mediterranean

Detente between Greece and Turkey?

Ever since natural gas deposits were discovered in the eastern Mediterranean, Greece and Turkey have been mired in a fierce dispute over their exploitation. Now both sides are making a new attempt to resolve the conflict diplomatically. However, deep-seated enmity and age-old stereotypes make political rapprochement difficult, reports Ronald Meinardus from Istanbul
By Ronald Meinardus
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