Politics

Rising tension in the Middle East

Where are the USA and Iran heading?

Now the nuclear agreement in its present form no longer applies to Iran either. On Sunday it began enriching uranium beyond the 3.67 percent mark, thus exceeding the limit set by the agreement. Meanwhile, the economy is in ruins, poverty is spreading and Iranian security forces have announced tough action against possible protests. By Ali Sadrzadeh
By Ali Sadrzadeh
Right-wing populism

Modi won – but did India?

In Indiaʹs recent elections, the ruling NDA secured 45% of the vote. The fractured oppositionʹs message of inclusivity and justice was no match for Modiʹs brand of jingoistic populism. But what are the implications for Indian society? By Aditi Roy Ghatak
By Aditi Roy Ghatak
The Islamic Republicʹs existential crisis

Will Iran crack under the strain?

Iranʹs 2017–18 popular uprising heralded a new chapter in the history of the Islamic Republic that, in its fortieth year, is mired in acute and seemingly insurmountable domestic and foreign policy challenges, writes Ali Fathollah-Nejad. Seemingly, there is no end in sight
By Ali Fathollah-Nejad
U.S. policy on Iran

Trump's fake "stability" premise

The United States justifies its policy of "maximum pressure" on Iran by accusing the nation of "destabilising" the region. But neither is stability the correct criteria for evaluation of Middle East politics, nor is Tehran essentially behaving any differently to its neighbours, says Ulrich von Schwerin
By Ulrich von Schwerin
Civil society and democratic transition in Algeria

Algerian activists demand a place at the table

On 15 June, Algiers hosted a National Conference of Civil Society with the aim of producing a roadmap on how to shape the countryʹs – hopefully – democratic future. Yet at a time when civil society is just beginning to re-awaken, some wonder whether it will really be able to influence the possible transition that is looming. By Nourredine Bessadi
By Nourredine Bessadi
U.S.-Iranian tension

Iranʹs wartime commander

Once mocked as the "commander of the gossips" because he spread crazy ideas about the West in TV talk shows, Hossein Salami is now the new head of Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps. The appointment of this – at least verbally – radical man took place shortly after Trump declared the corps a terrorist organisation. By Ali Sadrzadeh
By Ali Sadrzadeh
Franceʹs new Mediterranean initiative

A G10 summit marked by pragmatism

With the "Sommet des deux Rives de la Mediterranee" ("Summit of the Two Shores of the Mediterranean"), French President Emmanuel Macron wants to breathe new life into multilateral co-operation in the Mediterranean region, which has made little progress since 2008. Isabel Schafer has the details
By Isabel Schäfer
Mayoral election re-run in Turkey

Istanbul's Imamoglu has a plan

Having spent just seventeen days in the job, Ekrem Imamoglu from the Republican Peopleʹs Party wants to win back the office of Mayor of Istanbul. Who is this man – and why is his potential re-election so significant for Turkeyʹs future? By Marian Brehmer
By Marian Brehmer
Economic crisis in Iraq

Trump's Iran embargo impacts Iraqis

As a result of U.S. sanctions, Iranians can no longer afford the yearly pilgrimage to Iraq's Shia shrines. The holy city of Najaf is bearing the economic brunt. By Judit Neurink
By Judit Neurink
Reconstruction in Syria

Frustrating Assadʹs plans for a new state

Although regime apologists are fond of asserting that the war in Syria is over, wary investors, an ongoing U.S. trade embargo, the pariah status of its ally Iran, not to mention galloping inflation, mean it could be years before the devasted country sees any real reconstruction. Analysis by Ghiath Bilal
By Ghiath Bilal
Myanmarʹs Aung San Suu Kyi in Hungary

With friends like Orban...

Myanmarʹs Aung San Suu Kyi and Hungaryʹs Viktor Orban have discussed their mutual fear of Muslims. In doing so, the Burmese leader has again showed she has lost the moral standing she once enjoyed, says Verena Holzl
By Verena Hölzl
Female jihadists

Why women go to Holy War

Worldwide, the number of women joining the “holy war”, or jihad, is increasing. What causes them do so? And what role do they play within jihadist organisations? Two Jordanian Islamism experts have devoted their most recent study to exploring just these questions
By Dagmar Wolf