Politics
Topics
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Elections in the Islamic republicStrong vote for a strong Iran?
In the run-up to Iran’s parliamentary elections on 21 February, state media was at full blast. Urging Iranians to take to the polls, state TV’s Channel 1 ran an election-day countdown, showing images of past elections and enthusiastic voters, regularly interrupted by music appealing to Iranians' sense of patriotism and nationalism. By Ali Fathollah-Nejad
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War in SyriaThe horror of Idlib
The recent escalation of violence in Idlib is also a result of the increasing tensions between Turkey and Russia. The victims are those in Idlib, caught up in a hopeless situation amid a huge spectrum of differing interests. By Bente Scheller
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French nuclear tests in the Maghreb 60 years onDelayed fallout in Algeria
Decades after the first French nuclear test in Algeria, thousands of victims are still waiting for compensation. To date only 51 claims have been filed under French legislation introduced ten years ago – and only one Algerian compensated. By Elizabeth Bryant
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Paris and Rabat in diplomatic stand-offIs France losing its backyard in North Africa?
Having seen a sharp decline in its influence in Tunisia and Algeria, France is eyeing China and Spain’s growing economic presence in Morocco with concern. Is Paris about to lose its "backyard" in North Africa altogether? An analysis by political scientist Mohamed Taifouri for Qantara.de
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The icon of Tahrir Square in Baghdad and CairoArab Spring and October Revolution
The past enthusiasm of the Egyptians lives on in the Iraqis of today. But just as they were nine years ago in Cairo, current prospects in Baghdad are dim. A comparison by Birgit Svensson
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At Khomeini's serviceBritain complicit in the crushing of Iran's Tudeh party
Recently the British National Archives released the correspondence of former high-ranking British diplomats posted to Iran in the early eighties. The letters indicate that the United Kingdom put its weight behind crushing the Iranian opposition Tudeh party in the aftermath of the Islamic Revolution. By Iman Aslani
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USA, Israel and the PalestiniansTrump's sham attempt at peace
As we digest the details of Donald Trump's Vision for Peace, we need to ask ourselves just one question: does this draft guarantee an Israeli and a Palestinian baby born today equal civil rights, freedom of travel and a self-determined life in security and dignity twenty years from now? By Inge Gunther
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Interview with Middle East expert Lara Friedman"A kosher stamp for Israel to retain control over the West Bank"
As expected the Trump administration released its Israeli-Palestinian peace blueprint on Tuesday, a plan that ignores the Palestinians at the expense of lasting peace. Middle East expert Lara Friedman spoke to Wesley Rahn
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U.S. foreign policy in the Middle EastSlave 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
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Interview with democracy activist Iyad el–BaghdadiJeff 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
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India and big businessComplicit 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
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Egyptian foreign policy and the Libyan crisisTime 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
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Pankaj Mishra on Germany, Israel and Palestine
"An anarchic, nihilistic world"
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Turkey at the crossroads
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New books on Gaza
Turning point, failure, moral abdication
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Prostitution in Tunisia
The big reveal
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Christianity and Islam
The Muslim Jesus