Politics

European-Libyan relations

Whom to trust when it comes to Tripoli?

Although the European Union declared its clear support for Tripoliʹs internationally recognised unity government, French officials seem to be playing both sides. And as protesters in Libya demand an end to all French interference, General Khalifa Haftar continues to advance. By David Ehl
By David Ehl
Human rights under Sisi

Egypt's open-air prison

Egyptian authorities have arrested thousands in a crackdown on dissent, even its most benign forms. And some former prisoners are finding that they are not really free despite having been released. Ruth Michaelson reports on the case of a female Egyptian activist from Cairo
By Ruth Michaelson
Iranian relations with the former East Germany

Hardly a match made in heaven

Almost two decades would pass between the first attempts at rapprochement and the establishment of diplomatic relations between Iran and the German Democratic Republic (GDR). From the outset, it was a relationship plagued by hurdles and problems. By Ghasem Shafie
By Ghasem Shafie
Easter Sunday bombings

How did Islamist terrorism take hold in Sri Lanka?

How active are Islamist groups in Sri Lanka? Could they have launched multiple, well-coordinated terrorist attacks in different parts of the country without the support of global jihadist organisations? By Shamil Shams
By Shamil Shams
Marianne Gasser, former head of the Red Cross delegation, on Syria

Healing a broken land

International donors have pledged aid to Syria as the conflict there enters its ninth year. Marianne Gasser, former head of the Red Cross delegation in Syria, knows how vital immediate help is from personal experience
By Marianne Gasser
Interview with Islamic scholar Stefan Weidner

Thinking outside the Western box

In interview with Rachid Boutayeb, Stefan Weidner complains that even the most critical thinkers of Western tradition have practically never looked beyond their Western horizons. Islam, Indian religions and philosophies of non-European cultures are virtually absent from this thinking
By Rachid Boutayeb
After the ousting of Omar al-Bashir

Sudan holding out for real change

The political future of Sudan must now be hammered out from a precarious starting point. Demonstrators in Khartoum cannot instigate a new beginning without the old institutions; and the transition from toppled dictator to his former military allies will not be seamless. By Karim El-Gawhary
By Karim El-Gawhary
Russian involvement in Libya

Backing Haftar to the hilt?

The rumours that Libyan General Khalifa Haftar has Kremlin support are as consistent as his advance on the country's capital. In Syria, Russia has flexed its military muscles – but it isn't yet showing its cards on Libya. By Emily Sherwin
By Emily Sherwin
Elias Khoury on the Arab Spring 2019

The re-birth of Tahrir Square

Ask what happened to the spirit of Tahrir Square and we find the reply in the Maghreb. Today Tahrir Square is in Algeria, in Sudan, and in many other places besides. Perhaps the secret of the Arab Spring lies not in its victories or its defeats, writes Elias Khoury, but in its ability to liberate people from fear
By Elias Khoury
Refugee camps in Libya

Guilty of torture and rape by association – Europeʹs dirty secret

An increasing number of refugees are being tortured and raped in Libya, a new study has found. The perpetrators, motivated by greed, sadism and the desire for power, include local European Union partners. By Nermin Ismail
By Nermin Ismail
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