Politics

Coronavirus in Morocco

The threat of a new lockdown emerges

After the country initially showed itself to be gaining control over the pandemic, to the point of being classified as a safe country for travel from the European Union, the situation in Morocco has deteriorated, as the King himself has noted. So has Morocco lost its way in the fight against the coronavirus? By Ismail Azzam
By Ismail Azzam
French President in Beirut

Can Macron save Lebanon?

In the aftermath of the devastating explosions in Beirut, French President Emmanuel Macron is styling himself as Lebanon's saviour. Ultimately, however, the success of his efforts will depend on the goodwill of the regional powers in the Middle East. An analysis by Karim El-Gawhary
By Karim El-Gawhary
Riad Seif’s testimony at the Syrian torture trial in Germany

A Syrian opposition legend speaks out

In the first case of its kind anywhere in the world, a German court is probing Syria's state torture system. Giving testimony at the trial is one of Syria's most widely respected opposition figures, Riad Seif, who helped the accused, Anwar R., get a visa for Germany. By Matthias von Hein
By Matthias von Hein
Interview with political scientist Hugo Micheron

"The attack on Charlie Hebdo was a belated wake-up call"

Political scientist Hugo Micheron on the origins of Islamist terrorism in France, his conversations with jihadists – and on the trial now beginning against the perpetrators of the 2015 attacks. Interview by Nadia Pantel
By Nadia Pantel
Pakistan and the Gulf

Arab allies jump ship over Pakistan's 'new Kashmir policy'

Lacking support from Arab countries for its stance on the Kashmir dispute, Pakistan is looking for new alliances under China's leadership. How practical is it for Islamabad to pursue its new foreign policy? By Haroon Janjua
By Haroon Janjua
2015 and the Syrian influx

Five years on: how has Germany's refugee policy fared?

Five years ago, as hundreds of thousands of refugees came to Germany, Chancellor Angela Merkel maintained: "We can do it." How has Germany – and those who sought asylum – managed since then? Christoph Hasselbach explains
By Christoph Hasselbach
Escalation or mediation in the Eastern Med?

Turkey and Greece at loggerheads over maritime sovereignty

Will German attempts at mediation avert the Eastern Mediterranean crisis? Greece has accused Turkey of conducting illegal explorations for shale gas close to the Greek islands. Yet Ankara maintains that the waters are part of the Turkish continental shelf. Ronald Meinardus reports from Istanbul
By Ronald Meinardus
COVID-19 in the Middle East

It's high summer and coronavirus has never been stronger

Heat will kill coronavirus – that was the official line at the start of the pandemic. But this is not the case. Infection rates are currently on the rise, even in the world’s hottest regions. Birgit Svensson reports from Baghdad
By Birgit Svensson
Activists fear increased cyber-surveillance

Will repression in UAE intensify under the Israel deal?

Thanks to the recent rapprochement between Israel and the United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi should in future be able to access Israeli espionage software even more easily in order to spy on politically unpopular citizens. By Tom Allinson
By Kersten Knipp & Tom Allinson
Hic sunt dracones

Is Iran set to forfeit its national interests to China?

A partnership planned between Iran and China is intended to strategically link the two countries for a quarter of a century. It is unclear, however, exactly what the alliance will entail and whether its lofty ambitions can indeed be fulfilled. Iranian politicians of almost every persuasion remain highly sceptical. By Ali Fathollah-Nejad
By Ali Fathollah-Nejad
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