Politics

Chinaʹs oppression of the Uighurs

Save our Turkic brothers, Mr. President!

Following a long silence, the Turkish government yielded to pressure from its nationalist voter base in February – arguably in a bid to garner local election votes – and criticised the persecution of the Uighur people by China. Yet how to strike a balance between Turkic solidarity and pressing economic interests? By Ulrich von Schwerin
By Ulrich von Schwerin
Israel′s parliamentary elections

To be or not to be – the Netanyahu question

Rarely has there been a more exciting run-up to an election in Israel – yet rarely one so polarising either. After ten years in office, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's re-election now hangs in the balance. His challenger, former Chief of General Staff Benny Gantz, is matching him in the polls. Inge Gunther reports from Jerusalem
By Inge Günther
Local elections in Turkey

Erdogan's allure is fading

Because he completely dominated the poll, the Turkish President will be finding it even harder to swallow his party's defeats in Ankara und Istanbul. The loss of Turkey's two biggest cities shows that in the midst of an economic crisis, more Turks want solid solutions instead of bluster and grandstanding aimed at polarising the electorate. By Ulrich von Schwerin
By Ulrich von Schwerin
U.S.A. recognises Israeli annexation

Why so silent over the Golan?

U.S. President Donald Trump has disregarded international law by recognising Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights. But why have reactions to the move thus far been so muted? By Karim El-Gawhary
By Karim El-Gawhary
Algeria in transition

Time's up, Bouteflika!

He was brought in by the generals to save the regime, instead he ousted them one after the other. But Bouteflika was no democrat. He had come to rule for life and be buried as President. Now his own people appear to be de-railing those plans. By Bachir Amroune
By Bachir Amroune
Government by consensus post-Bouteflika?

Algerians riding a cyberspace wave

As Algerians wait with baited breath to see if Bouteflika steps down, Nourredine Bessadi takes a look at the role social media is playing in the current wave of social and political unrest. Already influencing the countryʹs political trajectory, will this cyberspace discourse ultimately challenge the legitimacy of the state?
By Nourredine Bessadi
Germany post-Christchurch

Showing a stunning lack of solidarity

German politicians and media have been surprisingly quiet in the wake of the attack on two mosques in New Zealand. Donʹt we care about the victims, asks Jaafar Abdul Karim
By Jaafar Abdul Karim
Countering U.S. sanctions with INSTEX

Europe throws Iran a line

In an attempt to salvage the Iran nuclear deal, Germany, France and Britain recently set up a new vehicle of non-dollar trade with the Islamic Republic. The policy is diplomatically valid, but in economic terms it may well prove too little, too late. By Maysam Behravesh
By Maysam Behravesh
After the massacre in New Zealand

Breaking the cycle of violence

In the wake of the Christchurch attack, people took to the Internet to publish messages of both outrage and sympathy, as well as calls for retaliation. Where hatred prevails, reason no longer appears to have a voice. This barbaric act has unleashed destructive forces long buried beneath the surface, writes Jordanian journalist Mousa Barhouma
By Mousa Barhouma
New Zealand terror attacks

The hero of Christchurch

Armed only with a credit card reader, Abdul Aziz Wahabzada confronted the attacker in Christchurch. His actions are believed to have prevented further deaths. By Nasim Saber and Naser Ahmadi
By Nasim Saber & Naser Ahmadi
The personality cult of Egypt's former president

Nasser is everywhere

Hagiography on the Nile: the cult of Gamal Abdel Nasser continues to spread, in part because it serves the purposes of Egypt's incumbent president. By Joseph Croitoru
By Joseph Croitoru
The summer of 1988

A dark chapter in Iranian history

In the summer of 1988, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini issued a decree sentencing thousands of political prisoners to death. Monireh Baradaran was a left-wing activist in prison at the time and witnessed her cellmates being picked up for execution. Interview by Farhad Payar
By Farhad Payar