Politics

The Gulen movement and the failed coup in Turkey

Harmless is not the word

Since the attempted coup in Turkey in July 2016, the accusation that the Gulen movement was behind the failed putsch has met with scepticism in the West. A new book shows, however, that the movement was never just about dialogue and education, but has instead always sought to grasp the reins of state. By Ulrich Schwerin
By Ulrich von Schwerin
Islamophobia in Asia

What drives Buddhist anti-Muslim feeling?

Islamophobia is rife in Sri Lanka, Myanmar and Thailand, with Buddhist monks heading up the hate campaigns against Muslims. Yet the roots of the conflict run deep. A report by Rodion Ebbighausen
By Rodion Ebbighausen
Interview with Washington Post correspondent Souad Mekhennet

Speaks with jihadists

German-born Mekhennet has focused her investigative career on diving into militant Islamist networks. She spoke to Sabine Kieselbach about her job's dangers and why it is important to speak to jihadists
By Sabine Kieselbach
Qatari foreign relations

The point of no return?

The crisis between Saudi Arabia, UAE, Bahrain and Egypt on the one hand and Qatar on the other appears to be approaching tipping point. The possibility of Doha's departure from the GCC and new alliances with Turkey and Iran is likely to trigger major shifts in the regionʹs balance of power. By Stasa Salacanin
By Stasa Salacanin
Europe's treatment of IS returnees

Eroding the constitutional state

The Europeans and Americans can't agree over what should be done with citizens imprisoned in Syria and Iraq for joining the IS cause. But as Bachir Amroune argues, these individuals should be given the same constitutional rights as anyone else accused of a crime
By Bachir Amroune
UAE foreign policy and the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi

Hardly a ruler in waiting

Architect of the United Arab Emiratesʹ assertive foreign policy approach is the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi: he it is who ultimately makes the decisions, in consultation with several of his brothers and the ruler of Dubai. Report by Matthias Sailer
By Matthias Sailer
Interview with Egyptian novelist Ahmed Naji

When writing becomes a crime

The Egyptian military regime regularly targets authors, accusing them of "violating public morals". The trial of Egyptian novelist and journalist Ahmed Naji ranks as one of the most prominent cases in recent years. Interview conducted by Moritz B. and Luisa M.
By Moritz B., Luisa M.
Germanyʹs new Homeland minister

No to religious parity

By stating that Islam is not part of Germany, newly appointed Homeland Minister Horst Seehofer is not only polarising the population. At the same time, he is cementing the fundamentally unequal treatment of religious communities in Germany. Commentary by Farid Hafez
By Farid Hafez
Egyptʹs 2018 presidential elections

Blatant autocracy

No-one is under any illusion about the forthcoming presidential elections in Egypt at the end of March. With the current regime shamelessly and unambiguously issuing instructions to one political party after another to put up candidates, the outcome will be a sham, argues Shady Lewis Botros
By Shady Lewis Botros
Germany's new cabinet

Where's the ethnic diversity?

Before the new German cabinet had even got down to business, there were grumblings about its make-up. With the number of women ministers higher and the average age of the cabinet lower than ever before, one group was glaringly missing from the ministerial line-up: people with personal experience of integration. By Richard A. Fuchs
By Richard A. Fuchs
Interview with Kristin Helberg on the Syria conflict

Boundless cynicism

In conversation with Diana Hodali, Syria expert Kristin Helberg is critical of the fact that although the Europeans may be ready to take part in a military intervention in the Syrian conflict without a UN mandate if necessary, they insist on a UN mandate when it concerns the protection of civilians
By Diana Hodali
Iranʹs image in Europe

Making believe

According to many European analyses of Iran, the election of President Hassan Rouhani marked a significant turning point. While in the days of his predecessor, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the country was still widely regarded as the incarnation of evil, Iran has ever since been cast in a predominantly positive light. By Ali Fathollah-Nejad
By Ali Fathollah-Nejad