Politics

Interview with Indonesian economist Iwan J. Azis

"Inequality will grow if all you do is unleash market forces"

For decades the conditions governing International Financial Institution (IFI) loans to Asian countries were often far too stringent, resulting in heightened social disparity. In interview with Hans Dembowski, Iwan J. Azis explains the risks of purely growth-oriented economies
By Hans Dembowski
Israeli-Palestinian conflict

U.S. aid cuts bite in Gaza

UNRWA, the relief agency for Palestinian refugees, is feeling the crunch since the United States, its main donor, slashed its contributions. The crisis comes amid a military escalation between Hamas and Israel. Tania Kraemer reports from Gaza
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Iranʹs dilemma

Securing a slice of post-war Syria

Contrary to international hopes for a peaceful solution following the fall of Islamic State, Syria has become a military polygon for global and regional powers, increasing the risk of inter-state war. This is especially true in southern Syria, where Assad troops and forces controlled by Iran operate in close proximity to Israeli lines. By Stasa Salacanin
By Stasa Salacanin
The axis of the right

Europeʹs new isolationist front

Europe is shifting to the right. Border security and isolation increasingly dominate the migration policies of the European Union. At a national level, right-wing parties are peddling a symbolic identity policy to distract from cuts that undermine the very fabric of society, says political scientist Farid Hafez
By Farid Hafez
Syrian conflict

Damage limitation? Assad's death notices for the missing

Families of Syrian detainees are just now finding out that their loved ones died in custody years ago. Recent moves by Bashar Assad's government to update civil registries is little more than a cynical attempt to cover up its own atrocities. By Lewis Sanders IV and Emad Hassan
By Lewis Sanders IV, Emad Hassan
Interview with Indonesian cleric Yahya Cholil Staquf

"We must want peace"

Yahya Cholil Staquf is a prominent Muslim cleric and secretary-general of the world's largest Islamic organisation, Indonesia's Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), which has 60 million members. After visiting Israel and meeting with PM Netanyahu, he was heavily criticised at home. In this interview, conducted by Rizki Nugraha, he explains that his agenda was to approach peace movements and to strengthen the aspirations for peace within Israeli society
By Rizki Nugraha
Radicalisation in European cities

Hotbeds of anger and resentment

According to sociologist Farhad Khosrokhavar, one of the significant factors of jihadist radicalisation in Europe is a type of city district he describes as the "jihadogenous urban structure". This type of urban structure shapes the identity of those who are socially excluded and culturally stigmatised
By Farhard Khosrokhavar
Parliamentary elections in Pakistan

Who will prevail?

What's at stake in Pakistan's upcoming parliamentary elections? Should the West be concerned about a possible military-backed government and its impact on Afghanistan's security and South Asia's geopolitics? An analysis by Shamil Shams
By Shamil Shams
A nuclear Middle East

Arab states court the atom

With more instability likely in the near future, the incentives for maintaining or acquiring nuclear weapons in the Middle East are destined to increase. One thing remains clear, however: as long as Israel is excluded, the objective of total nuclear disarmament in the region will never be achieved, writes Israel Rafalovich
By Israel Rafalovich
Egypt's economic disarray

Whether to topple President Sisi...

Five years after protests and a coup brought then-President Mohammed Morsi to his knees, Egypt is experiencing its sharpest rise in living costs. Is the country on the brink once again? Farid Farid reports from Cairo
By Farid Farid
Verdict in neo-Nazi NSU trial

The shredding of Germanyʹs democracy

For those of us with a migrant background, the recent NSU trial verdict does not put the matter to rest. We are still left fearing for our lives in this country, says Sheila Mysorekar in her commentary
By Sheila Mysorekar
The demise of Daraa, former rebel stronghold

At the mercy of Assadʹs troops

While Berlin was contemplating secure borders, the Syrian regime embarked on its next campaign to exacerbate the suffering of refugees. To Syriaʹs President Bashar al-Assad, they are nothing more than a weapon. By Bente Scheller
By Bente Scheller