Politics

U.S.-Turkey relations in 2021

Biden and Erdogan – how much carrot, how much stick?

Initial statements by the Biden administration indicate it will follow a carrot and stick policy towards Turkey. Ankara believes its role in negotiations on various issues could strengthen its hand when it comes to ties with the new man in the White House. Ayse Karabat reports from Istanbul
By Ayşe Karabat
Arrest of EIPR human rights activists in Egypt

My friend Gasser Abdel Razek, the "terrorist"

In Egypt, several human rights activists working for the EIPR – Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights – were arrested recently following a meeting with EU ambassadors. One of them is Gasser Abdel Razek, a long-time friend of Middle East correspondent Karim El-Gawhary. In this highly personal report, El-Gawhary writes about his friend’s detention
By Karim El-Gawhary
Exclusive – Germany's universal jurisdiction

The chances of indicting Syria's Assad for war crimes

Investigations by German federal prosecutors into the evidence of chemical warfare in Syria are ongoing. Deutsche Welle and Der Spiegel gained exclusive access to witnesses and documents that form part of the landmark inquiry. By Lewis Sanders IV, Birgitta Schulke-Gill & Julia Bayer
By Lewis Sanders IV & Birgitta Schulke-Gill & Julia Bayer
U.S. foreign policy in the Arab world

Joe Biden and the Middle East – bid farewell to Trumpism

Recognising the shifting geopolitical priorities facing America and the Arab states, analyst Marwan Muasher cites three areas in which U.S. President-incumbent Joe Biden's Middle East policy is likely to differ from that of his predecessor Donald Trump
By Marwan Muasher
Human rights repression under Sisi

Egypt activists' meeting with diplomats oversteps the mark

Last week Egypt's police stepped up an "unprecedented escalation" on activists by arresting a leading rights group director. Advocates on the Nile have long weathered a crackdown – what's new is detaining them for meeting foreign diplomats. Tom Allinson reports
By Tom Allinson
Canada and the problem with Bill 21

Quebec's controversial secularism law takes the stand

In France and in Canada's Francophone province of Quebec issues of personal freedom have recently been thrown into sharp relief. In Quebec, legal proceedings have been initiated against Law 21, which prohibits public servants from wearing religious symbols in the workplace. Richard Marcus reports
By Richard Marcus
Turkish views on Erdogan's feud with Macron

"Religion is the President's last resort"

Relations between Ankara and Paris have reached a new low, with presidential communications contributing to the escalation. To describe recent bilateral exchanges as undiplomatic would be the height of diplomacy. By Ronald Meinardus
By Ronald Meinardus
Arab reactions to the U.S. presidential election

"The world needs a break from the Trump era!"

Just like the rest of the world, the Arab region and Arabic-language media have been watching spellbound over the last few days as U.S. President Donald Trump was voted out of office. Christopher Resch summarises some of the editorials for Qantara.de
By Christopher Resch
Maya Zinshtein's documentary "'Til Kingdom Come"

How America's Evangelicals are shaping the Middle East

In her documentary "'Til Kingdom Come", Israeli director Maya Zinshtein provides an eye-opening insight into the way Evangelicals shaped President Trump's agenda and highlights the massive influence they exerted on his Middle East policy. By Rene Wildangel
By René Wildangel
Armenia, Azerbaijan – and Nagorno-Karabakh

“Germany is pretending not to see or hear“

After more than a month of war, there is a new ceasefire between Armenia and Azerbaijan. But whether it will last remains questionable. The conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh sees Turkey deploying mercenaries, Israel supplying weapons – and Germany keeping a low profile. German-Armenian lawyer Ilias Uyar is sharply critical. Gerrit Wustmann spoke to him
By Gerrit Wustmann
After the Islamist attack in Vienna

Europeans must not fall into the Islamic State trap

The Islamist attacks in France and Austria aim to divide European societies. The jihadists want to destroy the grey area of lived co-existence between Muslims and non-Muslims in Europe. By Karim El-Gawhary
By Karim El-Gawhary
U.S election and the Middle East

Saudi Arabia finally congratulates Joe Biden on his win

Saudi Arabia finally congratulated Joe Biden on Sunday over his election victory, more than 24 hours after he defeated Donald Trump, who had close personal ties with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
By Marwa Rashad