Politics

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
Endemic anti-Ahmadiyya discrimination

Pakistan's "Commission for Minorities" without the Ahmadis

Pakistan’s conduct towards the Ahmadis and its obsession with religious identity is symptomatic of the radicalisation of society that permeates all areas of life and is reflected in the laws of the land, says Mohammad Luqman
By Mohammad Luqman
Fourth Brussels Syria Conference

After nine years of war, who is helping the Syrians?

Twelve million Syrians are dependent on humanitarian aid, a sombre figure that conceals much suffering and high costs, of which Europe bears 80%. With an aid shortfall looming, the EU is mobilising donations and counting on civil society. Christian Hanelt argues that Brussels must take a stronger stance politically if the suffering is to stop
By Christian Hanelt