Politics

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
The Kemalist CHP and the Kurdish HDP

Decision time for Turkeyʹs opposition

Will the CHP take Imamogluʹs success in the re-run of the Istanbul mayoral elections, achieved through the support of the HDP, as an opportunity to finally abandon its rigid attitude towards the Kurds? By Gulistan Gurbey
By Gülistan Gürbey
Muslim minorities in Africa

Nigerian Shias defiant in support of Zakzaky

Nigerian security forces resorted to violence last week to end protests by supporters of imprisoned Shia cleric Ibrahim Zakzaky in Abuja. Tensions are high after at least eight people were killed in the clashes. Zaharaddeen Umar reports
By Zaharaddeen Umar
Civil war in Libya

U.S. undermining "any hope for a successful political process"

The warring factions in Libya's stalemated conflict don't seem to be interested in a diplomatic solution. The United States could use its clout to trigger discussions, but it appears to be doing the opposite. By Carla Bleiker
By Carla Bleiker
Algeria after the postponed elections

The closing window for change

For more than four months now, protesters in Algeria have been urging a clean-up of the country's politics and a new constitution. But how realistic is change given the military's iron grip on power? By Dalia Ghanem
By Dalia Ghanem
Third anniversary of the attempted coup in Turkey

"A gift from Allah" for Erdogan

Three years after the failed coup, it's not victory fanfares sounding for Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, but alarm bells. Can Dündar, former editor-in-chief of the Turkish newspaper "Cumhuriyet", on the day that changed everything
By Can Dündar
Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt

Politics casts a long shadow

This evening, Algeria will play Senegal in Cairo International Stadium in the final of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations. Joseph Hammond takes a look at how the football championship has unfolded for Egypt and its relevance for the country, which was not originally slated to host the competition at all
By Joseph Hammond
Right-wing populism in Canada

Is Trudeau's multi-cultural idyll in danger?

On 16 June, Quebecʹs National Assembly passed Bill 21, a controversial law banning certain public servants from wearing religious symbols at work. Combined with tougher immigration laws introduced by the Francophone region, this would seem to indicate that part, if not all, of Canada is shifting inexorably to the right. By Richard Marcus
By Richard Marcus
Sudanese opposition and military council in agreement

Sudanʹs first steps towards democracy?

Following weeks of unrest, the governing military council and protest movement in Sudan have reached agreement over a transitional administration. But scepticism remains over whether the military will actually cede power
By Karim El-Gawhary