Politics

Torture under the Assad regime

Syrian detainee No. 72

The Syrian government has acknowledged that hundreds of detainees were killed in state custody. Anchal Vohra met one of the prisoners who, along with many others, was tortured in Bashar Assad's jails. This is his story
By Anchal Vohra
Interview with Thomas Ruttig

Afghanistan's democracy in reverse gear

Afghanistan expert Thomas Ruttig says that in the West's battle with the Taliban, too much focus has been placed for too long on political allies with problematic credentials: many warlords are still armed and have never faced prosecution for past offences. Despite being non-democrats, they control democratic institutions to this day. Interview by Hans Spross
By Hans Spross
A new quality of civil unrest

Is Iraq steering towards post-sectarianism?

In the absence of civil war, the people of Iraq have found an opportunity to demand that the political elite deliver on their election campaign promises. Chanting slogans demanding services and jobs, the protesters are keeping clear of sectarian rhetoric. By Seyed Ali Alavi
By Seyed Ali Alavi
State repression in Turkey

Tear gas for grieving Saturday Mothers

The Saturday Mothers gather weekly in Turkey to demand information on loved ones subjected to enforced disappearance or state violence. But in the country’s repressive political environment even their vigils are coming under attack. Tom Stevenson and Murat Bayram report from Istanbul
By Tom Stevenson, Murat Bayram
Assad and the future of northern Syria

Syriaʹs Kurds hold the cards

International politics are subject to strange twists and turns. As Middle East expert Neville Teller writes, with a shared enemy and perceived advantages from co-operation, the outcome of current negotiations between the Syrian Democractic Council and Damascus could well be a continued Assad presidency, sustained by Kurdish support
By Neville Teller
Obituary: Israeli peace activist Uri Avnery

Shoes that will be difficult to fill

Uri Avnery fought for decades for peace between Israel and the Palestinians. This wish was not fulfilled in his lifetime. Avnery died, aged 94, in the early hours of Monday. An obituary by Christian Wolf
By Christian Wolf
Yazidis mourn their devastated community

Sinjar is not Mosul

Where can Iraq's Yazidis live in the future? Their home, Sinjar, has been liberated, but the Islamic State genocide that began on 3 August 2014, has left an indelible mark on their city. Sandra Petersmann reports
By Sandra Petersmann
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