Politics

Relations with the Middle East

Europe can still make a difference

The European Union is faced with the challenge of finding a common line towards the Middle East that both takes into account the different national positions and promotes a coherent foreign policy. How can this be realized?
By Ehud Yaari
What is anti-Semitism?

How do you differentiate?

A new anthology sheds light on the various forms of anti-Semitism and the academic debate surrounding it in the light of current controversial debates
By Daniel Marwecki
The rise of Israel's religious nationalist sect

Political Islam, political Judaism

The 7 October Hamas attacks fanned the flames of a movement already virulent in Israel. Ever since, religious nationalists have been consolidating their influence. In Germany, where politicians prefer to focus solely on the dangers of Islamism, it is easier to ignore such developments
By Stefan Buchen
Iraq's autonomous Kurdistan

Kurds drifting away from democracy

In Iraq's autonomous Kurdistan, regional elections are being repeatedly postponed, institutions weakened and structures are becoming more autocratic
By Birgit Svensson
War in Gaza

When children are seen as the enemy

A racist view of Palestinian children contributes to an acceptance of the fact that they are dying in their thousands in Gaza
By Charlotte Wiedemann
Israeli historian Moshe Zimmermann

UN Gaza resolution is a "step along the way"

On 10 June, the UN Security Council voted in favour of the U.S. plan for a ceasefire in Gaza. Israeli historian Moshe Zimmermann says this is progress towards peace. The coming days will reveal whether it is a "breakthrough"
By Thomas Latschan
Israeli peace activist Yoav Peck on the Gaza war

"I am appalled by the hard-heartedness"

Peace activist and former Sulha Peace Project director Yoav Peck talks about the Gaza war, the hardening of the fronts in Israel – and his vision for the future
By Marian Brehmer
Germany's multicultural society

Racism 'on the rise' 20 years after NSU bombing

On 9 June 2004, a nail bomb exploded in the heart of a bustling Turkish community in Cologne. German officials quickly rejected the notion that the attack was motivated by racism – and they accused the victims instead
By Melis Yuksel
Israel, the USA and the Islamic Republic

Understanding Iran's "offensive-defensive" strategy

April 2024 not only saw Iran's unprecedented direct assault on Israel but also a violent crackdown on women in Iran refusing to wear the hijab. So what is behind Tehran's conflicting sense of hubris and insecurity?
By Ali Fathollah-Nejad
Biden's plan for a Middle East ceasefire

What Gaza exit strategy?

U.S. President Biden's plan to end the war in Gaza ignores important questions. As long as it is not clear who will control the Gaza Strip once the war is over, there will be no lasting solution. An analysis
By Karim El-Gawhary
USA and Saudi Arabia

Nuclear deal likely to prompt a Middle East arms race?

One part of a predicted, closer U.S.-Saudi relationship is particularly controversial. Experts fear Saudi Arabia may use a civilian nuclear energy programme, supported by the U.S., to develop their own atomic bombs
By Cathrin Schaer
Arrest warrants for Netanyahu and the Hamas leadership?

U.S. imperialism and the "kangaroo court"

The request for arrest warrants against Israel's prime minister and defence minister as well as three Hamas leaders is undoubtedly a historic step. For the first time, the head of state of a U.S. ally could stand trial
By Shady Lewis Botros