Politics

Saudi ultimatum for Qatar

Turning up the heat?

The list of thirteen demands given to Qatar on Friday by Saudi Arabia and the UAE does not represent a serious attempt to settle the conflict. Even so, a split in the Gulf Cooperation Council seems unlikely. By Anna Sunik
By Anna Sunik
Abdul Fattah al-Sisi′s totalitarian state

Nearing completion

In recent months, the Egyptian regime has moved decisively to close what remains of public space, heralding a new era of repression that is likely to dominate all aspects of political life for decades to come. By Maged Mandour
By Maged Mandour
Social unrest in the Arab world

Guilty of gross negligence

The ongoing protests in North Africa reveal the extent of the failure of government there. Never before have corrupt elites been so alienated from the social realities of the ordinary people, says Loay Mudhoon
By Loay Mudhoon
Islamists in Africa

The ever-present threat

Boko Haram in Nigeria, Al-Shabab in Somalia: Islamist groups dominate the image of Islam in Africa. Yet it is too simplistic to assert that Islam south of the Sahara is becoming more conservative as whole. By Daniel Pelz
By Daniel Pelz
Theresa May, UK Muslims and the fight against terrorism

Hoist with her own petard

A few days before the UK general election, Prime Minister Theresa May announced a plan to curtail human rights in an attempt to catch Islamist terrorists. It was all too clear that she was targeting the Muslim minority per se as a tactic to win. She failed. Yet her outrageous claims are not likely to go away soon. Commentary by Alexander Goerlach
By Alexander Görlach
Qatar′s political isolation

The latest scapegoat

Against a background of long-simmering conflicts regarding Iran and political Islam, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and their allies have abruptly severed relations with Qatar. Thanks to the USA′s new stance in the Gulf region, both nations now feel free to drastically step up pressure on Qatar. By Matthias Sailer
By Matthias Sailer
Egypt's 'anti-terror' campaign

Not all it seems

Sisi's administration is using the attacks on Coptic Christians as a pretext for furthering its own foreign and domestic ends, making Egypt an unsuitable partner for the fight against terrorism. Commentary by Stephan Roll
By Stephan Roll
Palestinian sociologist Salim Tamari on the Six-Day War

"People became hostages of the annexation"

The Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories, which began with the Six-Day War in June 1967, changed the lives of millions of Palestinians. Sociologist Salim Tamari talked to Diana Hodali about what they experienced
By Diana Hodali
Morocco and the return of autocracy

Playing with fire

According to Moroccan researcher Mohamed Taifouri, the Kingdom of Morocco is gradually returning to its pre-2011 state, openly declaring a break from the accretions of the Arab Spring. The legacy of the 20 February Movement and all that has followed by way of a political renaissance is simply unwelcome ballast, argues Mohamed Taifouri
By Mohamed Taifouri
Nepotism in Iran's Islamic Republic

At home with the mullahs

In the Islamic Republic of Iran, which once vowed to eliminate hereditary rule, large family dynasties are increasingly dominating the political landscape. Critical voices assert that the Shah has been replaced by a clerical "king" as ruler of the country, complete with his own court and state nobility. However, some of the hereditary princes are demonstrating remarkable independence. By Ulrich von Schwerin
By Ulrich von Schwerin
Battle for Mosul

Operation merciless

The battle for Mosul should have been brought to an end a long time ago. Last October, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi promised the city would be liberated within three months. But the battle for what used to be Iraq's second largest city has now been raging for more than seven months. And the number of civilian victims continues its dramatic rise. By Birgit Svensson
By Birgit Svensson
Erdogan′s Turkey

The repression goes on

Turkey’s government is hounding opponents. Shortly after its narrow – and disputed – referendum victory in April, it extended the state of emergency and ran yet another purge of the police. The media had been silenced before the referendum and cannot hold the authorities accountable anymore. By Hans Dembowski
By Hans Dembowski