Politics

Sultanate of Oman

A happy symbiosis

It is rare that a ruler is able to concentrate so much power in his own hands while remaining popular with his subjects: Sultan Qaboos has achieved a synthesis of tradition and globalisation. By Ingrid Thurner
By Ingrid Thurner
Moroccoʹs treatment of Hirak El-Shaabi

Fair trial? Fat chance

More than a year after protests emerged in the northern city of Hoceima, Moroccan authorities continue to crackdown on support for Hirak, the popular movement that began when fish vendor Mouhcine Fikri was crushed to death in a garbage truck trying to retrieve his confiscated merchandise. By Matthew Greene
By Matthew Greene
Syria’s White Helmets

Stigmatising saviours

As mass murder takes place in Syria before the eyes of the world, civilian volunteers – such as the Syrian White Helmets – continue to be the subject of an extraordinary propaganda campaign. Instead of facts, this is dominated by fake news and a large dose of inhumanity. By Emran Feroz
By Emran Feroz
Interview with Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Tawakkul Karman

"We need to bring back the Arab Spring!"

In 2011 Tawakkul Karman became the first Arab woman to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. In interview with Nader Alsarras, the 39-year-old explains why the Arab Spring failed and why Yemen has since descended into war and chaos
By Nader Alsarras
Yemen′s Houthis

Defenders of the country?

It seems that whatever happens in Yemen, any victory is likely to prove to be a pyrrhic one, writes Stasa Salacanin. As a UN panel of experts recently reported, Yemen as a state essentially no longer exists and no party to the conflict has the political support or military strength to reunite the country
By Stasa Salacanin
Tunisia and the EU

Bolster the young democracy!

Many Tunisians are disillusioned with the EU. Convinced that fairer trading relations with their northern neighbours is the key to reinvigorating Tunisia′s flagging economy, they are critical of Europe′s failure to engage. By Isabel Schafer
By Isabel Schäfer
Murder and kidnapping in Iraq

An inexorable tide

In today's Iraq, there is no force more powerful than the militias and no voice louder than those who seek to drive a wedge between the religious denominations, says Iraqi writer Safaa Khalaf
By Safaa Khalaf
Release of German journalist Deniz Yucel

It′s not over yet

Die Welt correspondent Deniz Yucel has finally been freed after a year in custody, but this has done nothing to change the situation within the Turkish media and judiciary. Commentary by Ulrich von Schwerin
By Ulrich von Schwerin
Saudi Arabian and UAE foreign policy

A finger in every pie

When it comes to furthering their own interests, few political actors are currently attempting to influence developments in the Middle East and North Africa on so many fronts as Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). By Matthias Sailer
By Matthias Sailer
The Islamic Republic turns 39

At risk of Syrianisation?

Was the recent unrest in Iran merely a harbinger of a bigger political quake? Prominent sociologists and political scientists are predicting some more extensive social shock waves. And one man who made his name during the revolution has offered his apologies to the Iranian people. By Ali Sadrzadeh
By Ali Sadrzadeh
Europe and Algeria

The trust deficit

The European Union is keen to enhance co-operation with Algeria, but the North African nation, apparently wary of post-colonial meddling, is showing little interest. For political analyst Isabel Schafer the case is not that simple
By Isabel Schäfer
The role of Egypt′s armed forces

A military empire

After the Arab spring, the Egyptian military gained unprecedented influence. Able to count on the financial support of several Gulf monarchies, it maintains tight control of the political arena and the Egyptian economy. By Ingy Salama
By Ingy Salama