Politics

Joey Lawrenceʹs "We came from fire"

A tribute to the Kurds

With its large landscape format and its glossy colour photos, "We Came From Fire" by American-based Canadian photo journalist Joey Lawrence may look like a coffee table book, yet from the sub-title, "Kurdistan's Armed Struggle Against ISIS", to its content, this book is unlike any other. By Richard Marcus
By Richard Marcus
Democracy movements in the Arab world

Look to Sudan, Algeria!

A watershed moment in Sudan: after 30 years of repression, a civilian-led government looks set to co-determine the country’s future path. It's quite a different picture in Algeria: here, the people have been demonstrating against the military for months, to no avail. By Khaled Salameh
By Khaled Salameh
Quebecʹs controversial Bill 21

Islamophobia festers in Canadaʹs Francophone heart

In June Canada's French-speaking province Quebec passed Bill 21, banning the wearing of religious symbols or garments by certain public servants in the workplace. Aside from the civil rights implications, the bill has also made visible minorities, specifically Muslims, the target of racist attacks. By Richard Marcus
By Richard Marcus
Disenfranchised in the Gulf

The Bedoons – Kuwait's stateless minority

For more than 50 years, the Bedoons have been living in Kuwait without citizenship status. Now, it seems this problematic situation is finally being addressed. There may be light at the end of the tunnel. By Dina Elbasnaly
By Dina El Basnaly
Israeli attacks on bases in Iraq

Is war with Iran on the horizon?

So far, Iraq has always been neutral in the face of a possible war between Iran and the USA. But recent Israeli air raids on Iranian bases in Iraq reveal a different reality: Tehran's rulers apparently can no longer count on the neutrality of its neighbouring country, writes Ali Sadrzadeh
By Ali Sadrzadeh
Kashmir, Xinjiang and Arab land in the Middle East

Victims of the civilizational agenda

India's decision to deprive Kashmir of its autonomy, alongside a clampdown in the troubled north-western Chinese province of Xinjiang and US-backed Israeli annexation of Arab land, is the latest indication of what a new world order led by civilizational leaders may look like. By James M. Dorsey
By James M. Dorsey
Gaddafi's legacy

Libya – failed state par excellence

Faraj Alasha asks whether, in the event of General Haftarʹs forces taking control of the Libyan capital Tripoli, its population will embrace and support him? Or will his forces be worn down by attacks inside the city, thus ushering in a new chapter of bloodletting?
By Faraj Alasha
Pursuing prosecution in Germany

Justice for Yazidi survivors of Islamic State genocide

The extremist group "Islamic State" attempted to wipe out the Yazidis. Many thousands died, and survivors tell horrific tales of abuse and enslavement. Now, German investigators have taken up the fight for justice. By Matthias von Hein
By Matthias von Hein
Reassessing the Islamic Republic

Did the Iranian revolution deliver?

According to the well-known Tehran political science professor, Sadegh Zibakalam, if Iran were to hold a referendum on the Islamic Republic today, over 70% would clearly oppose it. Forty years on from the foundation of the Islamic Republic, Ali Fathollah-Nejad revisits the promises of the revolution to explore why this is the case
By Ali Fathollah-Nejad
Interview with Middle East expert Andre Bank

Syria: "Iran is not fighting in Idlib"

The Syrian war isn't over yet. Assad and Russia have been bombing Idlib for months. It is striking that Iran refuses to fight in the decisive battle for the last bastion of the insurgents, says Middle East expert Andre Bank in an interview with Diana Hodali
By Diana Hodali
Instant Islamic divorce in India

Triple talaq ban divides Muslims

Lawmakers have passed a bill to outlaw the centuries-old Muslim practice of instant divorce in India. While conservative Muslim sections slammed the move, liberal groups hailed it. Murali Krishnan reports from New Delhi
By Murali Krishnan
Assad & Baʹath party rule

About Syria, which is no more

Negotiations on the future of Syria are a far cry from the bitter reality: the Syria we all knew no longer exists after eight years of war, the slaughter of hundreds of thousands, the displacement of millions and the destruction of most of its cities. Writer and political analyst Faraj Alasha offers his analysis for Qantara
By Faraj Alasha