Politics

Countdown to the Turkish election

Erdogan beats the nationalist drum

Elected Mayor of Istanbul in 1994, Recep Tayyip Erdogan pledged not blame Turkeyʹs problems on "outside powers, outside forces, or foreigners". Years later, with the weight of the presidency and a struggling currency upon him, that pledge is long gone. By Tom Stevenson
By Tom Stevenson
Clashes along the Israeli-Gazan border

What hope for the Palestinians?

For months people in Gaza have been taking to the streets in protest at their intractable predicament. But the Palestinians have lost all their advocates, says Bettina Marx from the Heinrich Boll Foundation in Ramallah
By Bettina Marx
Protests in Jordan

"The status quo has to go"

Last week thousands of people filled the streets of Jordan to protest about the countryʹs ongoing economic woes and the governmentʹs lack of accountability. Among them was Jordanian journalist Lina Shannak, who now hopes the new administration will bring about tangible change
By Lina Shannak
European trade with Iran

"Now we're backpedalling"

The United States has begun pressurising European companies to halt doing business with Iran. Many companies have already acted to avoid the threat of U.S. sanctions in the event of "prohibited business". Details from Stefan Buchen
By Stefan Buchen
Malaysiaʹs Mahathir targets corruption

Graft links to the Gulf

Newly elected Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir is adopting policies that could re-shape the southeast Asian nationʹs relations with Saudi Arabia and the UAE. By James M. Dorsey
By James M. Dorsey
Rescuing the nuclear deal with Iran

Europe should negotiate without the U.S.

After Donald Trumpʹs breach of the nuclear agreement with Iran, Germany, France and Great Britain should negotiate a comprehensive security framework with Iran based on the existing agreement, says Volker Perthes
By Volker Perthes
Turkey's snap election

The calculus of alliances

The upcoming ballot in Turkey on 24 June will be a race between the People's Alliance, formed to keep Erdogan president, versus the Nation Alliance, which aims to beat him or at least win a parliamentary majority. The result, however, depends on a third party, the pro-Kurdish HDP. Ayse Karabat reports from Istanbul
By Ayşe Karabat
Saudi Arabia and the West

Europe's window of opportunity

A new social contract is being drawn up in Saudi Arabia. This presents Germany and its EU partners with new opportunities. But if these are to be properly utilised, they should demonstrate greater commitment to defusing the conflict with Iran. By Matthias Sailer
By Matthias Sailer
Khalifa Haftar's role in the Libyan civil war

The fight against political Islam

The news that General Khalifa Haftar had been rushed to the military hospital in Paris on 5 April 2018 for the treatment of a serious health problem caused a variety of reactions in Libya: shock and anxiety on one side; jubilance and rejoicing on the other. To his supporters, he is the "Saviour of Libya"; to his adversaries, the "new Gaddafi". Farag Al Esha provides a portrait of this controversial figure
By Faraj Alasha
Gaza protests

Inescapable vortex of violence

For several days, major rioting at the ongoing campaign of protests by Palestinians overshadowed celebratory events in Israel marking the 70th anniversary of the state's foundation. As a result of the deadly clashes, there have been increasingly vociferous calls around the world for an independent inquiry. By Inge Günther
By Inge Günther
Iraqʹs political future

Entering a new era

The recent elections in Iraq mark a dramatic turning point in the countryʹs political fortunes. New party alliances – in particular the Sairun list led by influential Shia cleric Muqtada al-Sadr – have emerged victorious from the polls. Birgit Svensson reports from Baghdad
By Birgit Svensson
Deal drop triggers power struggle in Iran

Trump gifts the hawks of Tehran

By pulling out of the nuclear deal with Iran, U.S. President Donald Trump has played into the hands of Tehranʹs hardliners. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani is now under pressure to salvage the agreement with its European signatories and prevent an escalation in the region. Commentary by Ulrich von Schwerin
By Ulrich von Schwerin