Politics

Humanism as a universal and humane concept

From Syria to Germany – the unifying struggle for democracy

Repression and despotism takes many forms. Yet as varied as these phenomena are, they all share a common core, argues Tarek Azizeh. Revolutions accompanying the struggle for democracy – wherever they occur – are all different manifestations of one and the same fight
By Tarek Azizeh
Stealth wealth from the Middle East

How Assad's family and others have filled their European coffers

Dubbed the "Butcher of Hama", Syria's Rifaat al-Assad is accused of embezzling millions in European real estate. Like him, many regional rulers have preferred to keep their European properties quiet. Tom Allinson reports
By Tom Allinson
COVID-19 and the Gulf States

Donald Trump has the Saudis over an oil barrel

With the coronavirus pandemic slashing oil demand as consumers and industry the world over entered lockdown, President Donald Trump presented Saudi leaders with an ultimatum. Reuters reports
Assad's crimes against his own people

Syrian ex-secret police stand trial in Germany

For the first time anywhere, Syrian intelligence officers are facing trial – in Germany. The court aims to probe the defendant's alleged crimes, as well as cast light on Bashar al-Assad's system of torture and oppression. By Matthias von Hein
By Matthias von Hein
Politics, inequality and a lack of transparency

Coronavirus and the Middle East's ongoing state of emergency

Plagued by troubled state-citizen relationships on the one hand and conflict on the other, states in the Middle East could discover new uses for COVID-19 lockdown measures. By Abdalhadi Alijla
By Abdalhadi Alijla
Refugees and migration in the Aegean

The EU and Turkey need each other – and a new refugee deal

The refugee crisis on Turkey's borders can only be resolved with a new EU deal. It should build on the current plan, but avoid its flaws, writes Ozgur Unluhisarcikli of the German Marshall Fund of the United States
By Ozgur Unluhisarcikli
COVID-19 pandemic

A golden opportunity for Middle East autocrats?

When it comes to tackling the coronavirus pandemic, Middle Eastern autocrats are keenly following China's lead. An analysis by Thomas Demmelhuber and Tobias Zumbraegel
By Thomas Demmelhuber & Tobias Zumbrägel
COVID-19 consequences

Coronavirus halts year-long protests in Algeria

Exploiting the coronavirus emergency, Algeria’s ruling classes have ramped up their repressive campaign against the protest movement, opposition and free media. By Sofian Philip Naceur
By Sofian Philip Naceur
COVID-19 pandemic

Besieged Gaza on the verge of coronavirus catastrophe

The ongoing Israeli blockade, an overstretched health system and a lack of vital medical supplies: coronavirus spells disaster for Gaza’s beleaguered population. By Alessandra Bajec
By Alessandra Bajec
COVID-19 in Afghanistan

"Millions of Afghans at risk"

So far, the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases and deaths in Afghanistan has been relatively low. But due to a severe lack of coronavirus tests and ventilators, suitable laboratories to process samples, ongoing fighting between the Taliban and government forces and a sluggish and uncoordinated response to the pandemic, the health threat to Afghanistan is very large and very real. By Emran Feroz and Mohammad Zaman
By Emran Feroz & Mohammad Zaman
Coronavirus in India

Muslims as scapegoats

On the streets and online, radical Hindu nationalists, including MPs from the ruling BJP party, are agitating against the Muslim minority, inciting hatred and spreading rumours of a "corona jihad": they allege that Muslims are spreading the virus in order to harm India. By Dominik Müller
By Dominik Müller
Coronavirus and Islam

Pakistani clerics refuse to shut down mosques

With no nationwide lockdown in place and with Islamic clerics refusing to stop allowing religious congregations, Prime Minister Imran Khan is relying on restricting the size of congregations attending mosques and advice to stay at home from religious groups to contain the spread of the new coronavirus at religious gatherings. By Haroon Janjua
By Haroon Janjua