Politics

Germany’s right-wing populists found Jewish group

Jews – the AfDʹs means to an end

The AfD, more known for its anti-Semitism, is looking to attract Jews. In his commentary, Armin Langer writes that Jews in Germany should distance themselves from right-wing populists and instead strive to ally themselves with other threatened minorities
By Armin Langer
Creeping authoritarianism

Turkeyʹs one man band

In June, Recep Tayyip Erdogan became head of state in Turkeyʹs new presidential system, which grants him enormous powers. But the country is in the midst of a veritable economic crisis. Erdogan has his back against the wall. An analysis by Timur Tinc
By Timur Tinç
Internecine struggles

Libyaʹs free for all

Libya is today the scene of political chaos that is difficult to fathom from the outside. Two governments, one in the west and one in the east, are fighting for supremacy. And even within the power blocs there are military conflicts between the different militias. By Karim El-Gawhary
By Karim El-Gawhary
Ethiopia, Eritrea, Saudi Arabia and the UAE

Winds of change in the Gulf

Ethiopia and Eritrea didn't pen their peace agreement in Addis Ababa or Asmara, but in Saudi Arabia with the Emirates alongside. Are economic and military interests increasingly binding Gulf states and the Horn together? By Sella Oneko
By Sella Oneko
The legacy of 9/11

Why the world needs to re-think its war on terror

Seventeen years have passed since 9/11, which marked a turning point in relations between the West and the Islamic world. Jordanian Islamism expert, Hassan Abu Haniyya, offers Ouifaq Benkiran the following observations about the most important repercussions of the war on terror
By Ouifaq Benkiran
Military parade attack in Ahwaz, Iran

The Islamic Republic reels

Following this weekendʹs attack on a military parade in the southern Iranian city of Ahwaz, fears that the United States, Saudi Arabia and others may seek to destabilise the country by instigating ethnic unrest are rife, writes James M. Dorsey, raising the likelihood of a clampdown against opposition groups at home and abroad
By James M. Dorsey
From Basra to Baghdad

Young Iraqis rise up for a life worth living

Major rallies against the nation's political elite have been raging in Iraq for months, so far resulting in 15 deaths and 120 injuries. Birgit Svensson reports from Basra, where the protests first flared up and quickly spread through the entire southern half of the country to Baghdad
By Birgit Svensson
Oslo I 25 years on

Israelis and Palestinians lament the deadlock

There was hope that resolution of the conflict between Israelis and Palestinians was imminent when the first Oslo Accord was signed in 1993. But the promise of a two-state solution any time soon has been all but dashed. By Tessa Fox
By Tessa Fox
USA cancels aid to Palestinian aid agency UNRWA

Washington's penchant for moving the goalposts

At the beginning of September the USA announced it would pull its entire aid to the Palestinian refugees owing to UNRWAʹs inefficiency. But Washington's attack on the UNRWA serves a much broader plan, says Peter Philipp in his commentary
By Peter Philipp
The Idlib offensive

Nourishing Syria's terrorist tree

Tahrir al-Sham will not be subdued by the destruction of Idlib over the heads of its inhabitants, or by the sacrifice of millions of civilians. As Russia and Assad tighten the noose, we need to realise that the war on terror cannot be won by outdoing terrorists in the slaughter of civilians, argues Burhan Ghalioun, former SNC chairman
By Burhan Ghalioun
Pakistanʹs premier Imran Khan

Playboy turned politician

Clad in traditional shalwar kameez and rolling rosary beads in his right hand, Pakistanʹs new prime minister, Imran Khan, recently took office. He promises change, yet what form will such change take? Afshan Subohi has the details
By Afshan Subohi
Interview with novelist and activist Arundhati Roy

"We're up against a fascist regime in India"

In interview with Murali Krishnan, renowned novelist and social activist Arundhati Roy talks about the recent arrests of leftist intellectuals in India and accuses PM Modi's government of "overturning" the country's constitution
By Murali Krishnan