Politics

U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East

Slave to the Trumpian impulse

Beyond the latest crisis with Iran, current U.S. Middle East policy is nothing if not chaotic. Many fear that the Trumpian approach could irreparably damage future U.S. administrations and international order as a result. By Stasa Salacanin
By Stasa Salacanin
Interview with democracy activist Iyad el–Baghdadi

Jeff Bezos, blackmail and MbS

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is accused of being behind the hacking of Amazon boss Jeff Bezos' smartphone. Diana Hodali talked to democracy activist Iyad el–Baghdadi, who cooperated with Jeff Bezos' security team, about the background to the attack
By Diana Hodali
India and big business

Complicit in Modiʹs Hindu nationalist agenda

Having re-invented himself politically following the Gujarat porgroms of 2002, Narendra Modi has – to the delight of big business – consistently pursued a tough line in market-driven economic policy. Buoyed by this support, the Indian Prime Minister is now intent on realising a darker agenda of discrimination and repression. By Dominik Muller
By Dominik Müller
Egyptian foreign policy and the Libyan crisis

Time to restore Egypt's pivotal role in Libya

Political analyst Taqadum al-Khatib argues that Egypt can, in co-ordination with its European partners, develop a common vision to solve the complex conflict in Libya. For this to happen, however, Egypt must disengage its foreign policy from that of the UAE and Saudi Arabia
By Taqadum al-Khatib
Standing at the gate

How Libyans see Europe

Libyans have mixed feelings about the EU. On the one hand, they admire what Europeans have achieved, but on the other, they feel let down. Moutaz and Walid Ali report from Tripoli
By Moutaz Ali & Walid Ali
Interview with Reza Alijani on Soleimani's assassination

In the wake of Iran's shadow commander

The assassination of the Iranian general Qassem Soleimani in a surprise U.S. drone strike is being used by the Islamic Republic of Iran to political ends, says Iranian journalist and activist Reza Alijani. Interview conducted by Azadeh Fathi
By Azadeh Fathi
Following the assassination of Qassem Soleimani

Tehran weighs its next move

In recent years, Tehran had pushed a clever public-relations campaign to depict Soleimani as a Napoleon- or Caesar-like warrior-poet. He was even mooted as a likely presidential candidate in the next election. Any public sympathy for Soleimani will therefore now extend to the regime, at least in the short run. By Abbas Milani
By Abbas Milani
The assassination of Qassem Soleimani

U.S.-Iranian conflict set to escalate

Trump’s sweet revenge could swiftly turn bitter, after all the U.S. attack is a direct declaration of war against the Iranian Revolutionary Guard and its elite Quds troops commanded by Soleimani. By Karim El-Gawhary
By Karim El-Gawhary
Libyan Civil War

EU divisions over Libya leave a gap for others

Libya is in turmoil and no political solution is in sight. The EU's inability to take concerted action in the country, meanwhile, is being exploited by third parties, such as Turkey.
By Nermin Ismail
Interview with jailed Turkish human rights activist Osman Kavala

"Nonsensical accusations"

Turkish art patron and businessman Osman Kavala has been in jail for more than two years, accused of wanting to overthrow the government. Beril Eski spoke to him about his life in prison and his civil society projects
By Beril Eski
Support for Turkey's AKP dwindles

Erdogan’s homegrown rivals

Erdogan has ruled Turkey firmly for the last 18 years, but his party now faces a huge challenge: former party heavyweights who have jumped ship to establish their own new parties. By Ayse Karabat
By Ayşe Karabat
Muslims in Myanmar

What hope The Hague for the Rohingya?

The first hearings at the International Court of Justice reflect the entrenched positions in the Rohingya crisis. Rodion Ebbighausen believes the trial may finally help to soften the fronts
By Rodion Ebbighausen