Politics

U.S. operations in Afghanistan

War without end

It’s been weeks since President Donald Trump's administration promised to present a new stretegy on Afghanistan. Those in power simply have run out of ideas. An analysis by Sandra Petersmann
By Sandra Petersmann
The West′s relations with Sudan

From pariah to partner

The U.S. and EU should attach to clear conditions a normalisation of relations with Sudan. This is the only way to usefully pursue their own interests – curbing migration and terrorism – in the long-term, says Annette Weber
By Annette Weber
German-Turkish relations

Part of us

In reaction to the mounting German-Turkish political crisis, Germany′s Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel has written an open letter emphasising that the shift in relations with Ankara should not impact on German citizens with Turkish roots. Commentary by Alexander Goerlach
By Alexander Görlach
Book review: Henner Fürtig on Iran

Through Realpolitik-tinted glasses

In his book "Großmacht Iran – Der Gottesstaat wird Global Player" (Iran: a major power – from theocracy to global player), Henner Fürtig, director of the GIGA Institute for Middle Eastern Studies, predicts a promising future for the Islamic Republic of Iran as the most important regional power in the Middle East. Miriam Abdollahi read the book
By Miriam Quiering
Authoritarian rule in the Arab world

Fear of change

Given their poor records in so many areas, how is it that authoritarian regimes in the Arab world manage to cling so successfully to power? In this essay, Amr Hamzawy examines how the ruling elites in the countries of the Arab spring use a mixture of oppression and fear of chaos and disorder to nip any demands for democratic change in the bud
By Amr Hamzawy
Freedom of speech in Turkey

Journalists under siege

A tragedy is slowly unfolding in Turkey. Since the failed coup attempt in 2016, more than 120 journalists have been arrested. "It's time we speak out for them," say the journalists from Al Jazeera who were imprisoned in Egypt. By Peter Greste, Mohamed Fahmy and Baher Mohamed
By Peter Greste and colleagues
Islamic State

Down but not necessarily out

With Mosul and Raqqa retaken, the fate of Islamic State's territorial caliphate is sealed. Yet Loay Mudhoon says that's no reason to give the all clear, as IS is nothing more than a symptom of a crisis of statehood
By Loay Mudhoon
The "Hirak El-Shaabi" protest movement in Morocco

The uprising of the marginalised

For several weeks now, clashes have been raging in Morocco between the nation's security forces and members of a new protest movement, "Hirak El-Shaabi", which is calling for autonomy, social justice and the release of political prisoners in the north African country. By Mohamed Lamrabet
By Mohamed Lamrabet
India's resistance to the appeal of IS

No traction

In the international statistics documenting terror attacks inspired or orchestrated by the IS terror militia, India is nowhere to be found. And this despite the fact that owing to its demography and socio-economic conditions, the country with its 180 million Muslims should be fertile ground for foreign-controlled Islamist terrorism. By Ronald Meinardus in New Delhi
By Ronald Meinardus
Ilan Pappe′s latest publications

Israel′s mega-prison

The dissident Israeli historian and activist Ilan Pappe is known for his challenging and meticulously researched books on the Israeli-Palestine conflict. His two latest books are in keeping with this reputation. By Susannah Tarbush
By Susannah Tarbush
The future of the Middle East

How about a Marshall Plan?

If we are ever to break the modern Middle East′s cycle of crises, we must not lose sight of the future. Across the Arab world four trends are already brewing a new set of problems for the coming decade. By Tarek Osman
By Tarek Osman
Atheism in Saudi Arabia

God's own country

Atheism remains one of the most extreme taboos in Saudi Arabia. It is a red line that no one may cross. Regarded on a par with terrorists, atheists in Saudi Arabia suffer imprisonment, marginalisation, slander, ostracisation and even execution. Efforts at normalisation between those who believe and those who don′t remain bleak. By Hakim Khatib
By Hakim Khatib