Politics

Unrest in Iraq

Sadr City – a hotbed of resistance

The resignation of Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi has not managed to quell the unrest in Iraq. After a deadly weekend in which many lost their lives, the wave of protests has swelled up once again. Most of the demonstrators come from Sadr City in Baghdad. Birgit Svensson paid a visit to the Shia suburb of the Iraqi capital
By Birgit Svensson
Unpopular presidential elections

Algeria stands at a historic crossroads

Algeria's political impasse has been going on for weeks. Attempts to calm the public mood by sacrificing some of the Bouteflika faithful has only served to fuel demonstrators' demands that all such remnants of the old guard be rooted out. Whether there is an election or not, the crisis seems set to continue, writes political analyst Ali Anouzla
By Ali Anouzla
Interview with Lebanese activist Nizar Hassan

Beirut's ruling elite may be down, but they are not yet out

In the “Lebanese Politics Podcast”, co-host Nizar Hassan analyses political events in Lebanon. In interview with Qantara, he talks about solutions to the country’s economic crisis, the role of Hezbollah in the political negotiations and Lebanon's political prospects
By Julia Neumann
Interview with Nader Hashemi on the protests in Iran

Violence "reflects the Iranian regime's desperation"

The recent protests in Iran were not as peaceful as the Green Movement of 2009, something that political scientist Nader Hashemi attributes to the actions of the security forces. Interview by Azadeh Fathi
By Azadeh Fathi
Interview with Omid Nouripour on the protests in Iran

"The Europeans lack courage"

Iran's President Rouhani has declared the violent protests in the country, which have lasted for days, to be over. Omid Nouripour, foreign policy spokesman of the German Green party, regards the USA, but also the Europeans, as being partially responsible for the current situation. Interview by Christoph Hasselbach
By Christoph Hasselbach
Fighting for democracy and a free Syria

"Ideas cannot be killed with weapons" – remembering Raed Fares

On 23 November 2018, Syrian activist and civil society leader Raed Fares was shot dead by gunmen in Kafranbel, Idlib province. Committed to building a free press, empowering women and establishing the foundations for a democratic society, he left a legacy to inspire generations of activists. By Marta Vidal
By Marta Vidal
The mirage of regime change

Why the United States is Khamenei’s bogeyman

According to the leadership in Tehran, the USA is driven by an insurmountable hostility towards Iran. But even if Trump's policy of "maximum pressure" seems to confirm this notion, the U.S. government is not pursuing a policy of regime change. By Payam Ghalehdar & Ali Fathollah-Nejad
By Payam Ghalehdar & Ali Fathollah-Nejad
Facing the Mahdi militias

Iraqi civilians in the firing line

Of all the protests currently in progress around the world, those in Iraq have been the most deadly. But just who exactly is firing on the demonstrators? The question is difficult to answer – and constitutes political dynamite. Birgit Svensson reports from Baghdad
By Birgit Svensson
Foreign academics risk arrest in Iran

Tehran's new hostage policy

Political hostage takings are nothing new in Iran. But the detention of several western academics represents a new dimension. There are grounds for suspecting that hardliners in the judiciary, intelligence service and Revolutionary Guard Corps are intent on scuppering talks to salvage the nuclear accord. By Ulrich von Schwerin
By Ulrich von Schwerin
India and Pakistan

"If Germany can be reunified, so can Kashmir"

Calls for a free Kashmir are becoming louder on both sides of the divided region. Can the German reunification model be applied to the India- and Pakistan-ruled Kashmirs? And what can Kashmiris learn from it? By Shamil Shams
By Shamil Shams
Anti-government protests

Is this Iraq's Arab Spring?

Iraq is currently facing such an alarming array of economic, political and social problems that many observers fear no-one will be up to the task of delivering the much-needed reforms. By Stasa Salacanin
By Stasa Salacanin
A safe haven in northern Syria?

Turkey's plan to 'resettle' Syrian refugees

Turkey is seeking to create a "safe zone" for refugees in Syria, to which they should only return "voluntarily". But how realistic is the project and to what extent can Turkey's intentions be trusted? By Seda Serdar