Politics

Protests in Iran

The spark that turned into a wildfire

In this essay, Ali Fathollah-Nejad looks at how the ongoing unrest in Iran is shining a light on the structural social and economic injustices inherent in the Islamic Republic and shows just how much trust in Rouhani's government has been eroded
By Ali Fathollah-Nejad
Civil war in Syria

Fighting the jihadists with unusual weapons

Idlib, in north-western Syria, is dominated by jihadists. But resistance there takes on many forms, and civil structures are emerging as an effective weapon in the battle against terror. By Kristin Helberg
By Kristin Helberg
Egypt's rising debts

"A sign of crisis"

Egypt's military government is amassing debts to international lenders at record rates. With fiscal austerity measures biting, the country's poor and middle class are struggling to get by. By Tom Stevenson
By Tom Stevenson
Protests in Iran

An own-goal for the hardliners

The blaze of popular wrath that has been ignited in Iran's provinces has long since begun to consume the cities as well. Initially intended by hardliners as a demonstration of dissatisfaction with President Rouhani, the demonstrations are now directed at the system as a whole. By Ali Sadrzadeh
By Ali Sadrzadeh
Trump's Jerusalem decision

Unleashing a new wave of radicalisation?

After 1967, jihadists and Islamists mobilised people by highlighting the victimisation of Muslims and Islam. In the wake of Trump's internationally condemned decision to recognise Jerusalem as Israel's capital, jihadist and Islamist groups could now use Palestine as proof of their theory that there is a "war on Islam". Trump's declaration plays right into their hands. Commentary by Abdalhadi Alijla
By Abdalhadi Alijla
The Gulen movement in Turkey

Creating an elite to lead the state

The movement of Turkish imam Fethullah Gulen has relied on schools, educational institutions and clubs to expand to many countries. Many experts view the movement with scepticism, however. They claim that it has cult-like structures and is pursuing a secret agenda, only pretending to be an open-minded education initiative with a moderate take on Islam. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan considers Gulen public enemy number one. By Timur Tinc
By Timur Tinç
Austria's new programme for government

En route to a restrictive policy on Islam?

This week, Austria's new centre-right and right-wing coalition published its programme for government. This programme does not view Muslims through the lens of human rights and freedom of religion as people to be protected and people who are particularly affected by racism. Instead, they are very obviously cast in the role of a potential threat, writes Farid Hafez
By Farid Hafez
Tunisia seven years after the Arab Spring

Facing an uncertain future

The Tunisian revolution, considered the catalyst for the movement that became known as the Arab Spring, began seven years ago. Today, Tunisia is still struggling to achieve democratic reform and economic growth. By Sarah Mersch
By Sarah Mersch
The left-wing/right-wing alliance of Assad apologists

Disenchantment with the West?

Why do left- and right-wingers in Germany defend Assad′s tyranny? Gunther Orth has some answers
By Günther Orth
Trump recognises Jerusalem as the capital of Israel

Whose idea was that?

With his official recognition of Jerusalem, the U.S. President is not acting in the interests of Jews in his country, but solely with the "blessing" of the Christian fundamentalists who long for the end-time battle, the apocalyptical Armageddon, says Armin Langer in his commentary
By Armin Langer
Politics and the humanitarian situation in Gaza

"War is always possible here"

Is the cautious rapprochement between Hamas and Fatah now under threat following U.S. President Trump’s announcement that Washington will be moving its embassy to Jerusalem? Elisa Rheinheimer-Chabbi spoke to Matthias Schmale, Head of the UN refugee agency for Palestinians in Gaza
By Elisa Rheinheimer
Anti-corruption campaign in Saudi Arabia

The harder they fall?

The most recent wave of arrests in Saudi Arabia would seem to have been motivated by a desire to tackle corruption. Look more closely, however, and it is clear that this move was planned for a long time and is just one of many steps Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman is taking to edge closer to the throne. Tobias Zumbragel analyses recent developments
By Tobias Zumbrägel