Politics
Topics
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Interview with Middle East analyst Stephan Roll
"Egypt's leadership feels markedly threatened by Turkey"
The dispute about maritime territories between Turkey and Greece is heating up. Egypt's involvement has added a new dimension to the conflict, says Middle East analyst Stephan Roll. Interview by Panagiotis Kouparanis
By Panagiotis Kouparanis -
Lebanese protesters call for systemic change
What now for Beirut, once the Paris of the Middle East?
The destruction of the port of Beirut – and Lebanon's free-falling economy – has fuelled calls to end the country's sectarian political system, which allocates power among Christians, Shia, and Sunni Muslims according to a rigid formula. But might such a change merely deepen suspicion among an already deeply divided population? by John Andrews
By John Andrews -
Interview with Lebanese political scientist Bassel Salloukh
Will a new Lebanon arise from the ashes of Beirut?
The explosions in Beirut killed more than 150 people, injured 6,000 and left 250,000 homeless. In interview with Julia Neumann, political scientist Bassel Salloukh talks about the consequences of this tragedy, the worsening political crisis – and the nature of political reality in Lebanon as the government slowly unravels
By Julia Neumann -
Amman and The Teachers' Syndicate
Free speech for everybody? Not so in Jordan, apparently
In recent weeks, Jordan's social media has been awash with photos and videos of demonstrators gathering in cities all over the country, chanting "Long live the teacher" and "we will not be silenced". Mainstream media coverage, however, has been noticeably lacking. By Marta Vidal
By Marta Vidal -
The West and the Middle East
Casting a long shadow – Napoleon's intervention in Egypt
Napoleon Bonaparte’s 1798 invasion of Egypt represented the first modern attempt to incorporate an Islamic society into the European fold. Although the expedition was a military fiasco, it left a lasting legacy in the region. By Alexander Mikaberidze
By Alexander Mikaberidze -
Uighur repression in China
Donald Trump, the obstacle to Washington's Uighur policy
A broad U.S.-led effort to hold the Chinese government to international account for its abuses of largely Muslim Uighurs in Xinjiang would, at the very least, remind China that the world is watching. Sadly, President Donald Trump’s actions will likely convince Muslims only of the depths of his hypocrisy. By Anne-Marie Slaughter and Wardah Khalid
By Anne-Marie Slaughter & Wardah Khalid -
New law on Turkish bar associations
Damaging judicial impartiality
While the government claims the new lawyers' act will be more pluralistic and democratic, lawyers believe it will harm the right to free trial and split them down political lines. By Ayşe Karabat
By Ayşe Karabat -
Interview with Olivier Roy on the conversion of Hagia Sophia
"Islamising stones is easier than Islamising souls"
The photos of the first Friday prayers in Hagia Sofia in 86 years triggered passionate and diverse responses around the world. Surrounded by a coterie of ministers, Turkey's president, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, led worshippers in prayer at the recently rededicated mosque. Eren Güvercin spoke to the renowned French political scientist Olivier Roy and asked him about the significance of the controversial reconversion
By Eren Güvercin -
Iraq's new government
Mr Kadhimi begins a clean-up operation
The new Iraqi Prime Minister, Mustafa al-Kadhimi, has great plans. As he moves to realise those plans, he's fighting on many fronts. As the Americans pull out of Iraq, militias supported by Iran are violently consolidating their position. Birgit Svensson reports from Baghdad
By Birgit Svensson -
Libyan civil war
Turkey versus France – a game of one-upmanship in Libya?
Relations between France and Turkey reached an historic low in June after Turkish ships allegedly targeted a French warship in the Mediterranean, resulting in France suspending its role in Operation Sea Guardian while accusing Turkey of violating an arms embargo against Libya. By Stasa Salacanin
By Stasa Salacanin -
No end to conflict on the Hindu Kush?
Islamic State threatens long-term peace in Afghanistan
A recent surge in attacks by Islamic State Khorasan Province in Afghanistan, claimed or otherwise, suggests the terrorist group is intent on disrupting any long-term peace initiatives between Kabul and the Taliban. By Emran Feroz
By Emran Feroz -
The grim legacy of the Yugoslav Wars
Reflecting on Srebrenica – genocide denial concerns us all
Protecting the truth from deniers and serving justice for victims of the Srebrenica genocide is our best bet to prevent genocides from occurring again, writes Council of Europe Human Rights Commissioner Dunja Mijatovic
By Dunja Mijatovic
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Sectarian massacre on Syrian coast
"I am the sole survivor of my family"
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Palmyra's ancient queen
Zenobia, secular Arab heroine
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Aicha 'Lella Saida' Manoubiya
Tunisia's feminist icon