Politics

Press freedom in Turkey

Writing in a state of fear

Turkish journalists have been detained for their independent reporting, ahead of the international book fair in Istanbul. It takes courage to be a journalist in Turkey, writes Cigdem Akyol
By Cigdem Akyol
Arab reactions to Donald Trump′s election victory

The jihadists' dream

Radical Islamists and Arab autocrats alike were pinning their hopes on Donald Trump. Now they are out to seize their chance. At the moment, however, no one in the Arab world can predict what line Trump is likely to pursue. By Karim El-Gawhary
By Karim El-Gawhary
Euro MP Barbara Lochbihler on the Mosul offensive

″Further conflict is inevitable″

In interview with Friedel Taube, German EU parliamentarian Barbara Lochbihler points out that the liberation of Mosul does not necessarily mean peace. She would like to see a plan being drawn up for what happens next
By Friedel Taube
Moderate Islamism in Morocco

An unlikely success story

Although Morocco's Islamists have also taken unpopular decisions during their five years in government, this has done surprisingly little to dent their popularity. Yet their governmental record remains overshadowed by a lack of competence and experience. The Moroccan political analyst Ali Anouzla on the reasons for the Islamists' triumph
By Ali Anouzla
US-Iranian relations following the presidential election

It's a chill wind

How will the outcome of the U.S. presidential election impact Iran? Experts predict that regardless of the election result, the new US presidency will mark a worsening of ties with the Islamic Republic. By Shahram Ahadi and Mitra Shodjaie
By Shahram Ahadi, Mitra Shodjaie
Erdogan′s Turkey

Spinning out of control

Turkey has witnessed another dramatic week, with police raids on an opposition newspaper, mass suspensions of academics and civil servants and the jailing of the leaders of the country′s main pro Kurdish HDP party. The government insists it is fighting to defend democracy against unprecedented threats, critics claim democracy itself is now at risk. Dorian Jones looks at the latest events
By Dorian Jones
Unrest in Morocco

Condemned to eke out a living

Symptomatic of the widespread poverty and oppression within Moroccan society, the tragic death of the fishmonger Mouhcine Fikri has touched a raw nerve among the population. Attempts to defuse the situation are ongoing. Matthew Greene reports from Rabat
By Matthew Greene
Liberalism in the Arab world

Merely treading water

Arab liberal thinkers are seemingly unable to come up with realistic solutions to the ongoing socio-political crises and armed conflicts in the Arab world. An essay by the Lebanese journalist and writer Karam Hilou
By Karam al-Helou
Arab reactions to the coup aftermath in Turkey

The problem with role models

Opinion in the Arab world is divided when it comes to the policies adopted by Recep Tayyip Erdogan following the coup attempt in Turkey. Islamists feel their position has been strengthened, while liberal and conservative Arabs look upon recent developments with concern. Analysis by Joseph Croitoru
By Joseph Croitoru
Interview with Sarit Michaeli from B′Tselem

Creeping annexation

The NGO B′Tselem investigates human rights violations committed by the Israeli military in the Palestinian territories. In interview with Kai Schnier, Sarit Michaeli, the organisation′s spokeswoman, explains why a peaceful settlement of the conflict between Israelis and Palestinians is receding into distance and neither politicians nor generals are interested in reducing the tension
By Kai Schnier
The Mosul offensive

In enemy heartland

Progress is slow in the battle for control of Mosul, with IS jihadists using booby traps and suicide commandos against the liberators. Karim El-Gawhary spoke to Kurdish fighters and refugees in some of the villages recaptured by the peshmerga
By Karim El-Gawhary
Interview with Turkish author Elif Shafak

Democracy in a downward spiral

In interview with Sabine Peschel, best-selling Turkish author Elif Shafak warns against the disintegration of democratic values and the rise of authoritarianism in Turkey and across Europe
By Sabine Peschel