Politics

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
U.S. elections and the Middle East

Arab dictators hold their breath at Trump's possible exit

A victory by Democrat candidate Joe Biden would usher in a new beginning for the Arab world, with attendant changes in U.S. policy. Autocratic leaders in the Middle East have every reason to be concerned. Commentary by Egyptian academic Taqadum al-Khatib
By Taqadum al-Khatib
U.S.-Russian diplomatic tug-of-war

How will Syria's unending war play out in the northeast?

Facing the various divergent interests of external players such as Russia, the United States, not to mention Turkey and Iran, the future of northeast Syria remains anything but certain. By Stasa Salacanin
By Stasa Salacanin
Al Boraq, M6 and neo-liberalism

Morocco's fast-track development programme bypasses many

Morocco is receiving much international recognition for its policy of modernisation, but the weaknesses of the model are obvious. By Claudia Mende
By Claudia Mende
Muhammad cartoon controversy

Macron and the Muhammad tempest in a Twitter teapot

French President Macron's statements that caricatures of Muhammad may still be published have triggered outrage in a number of Muslim states. Turkish President Erdogan is among the most vocal critics. Karim El-Gawhary reports
By Karim El-Gawhary