Politics

Iran-Pakistan tensions

What was behind the Balochistan strikes?

Tit-for-tat attacks between neighbours Iran and Pakistan are linked to separatists fighting for independence of the mineral-rich Balochistan region that spans their borders
By Thomas Latschan
Germany's policy on Egypt

Neither value-driven nor feminist

Germany's policy on Egypt is based on economic interests and a fear the country may collapse. As a result it contributes to stabilising Abdul Fattah al-Sisi's brutal regime
By Ilyas Saliba
War in Gaza

Will Iraq finally expel all remaining U.S. troops?

Following the assassination of an Iraqi militia leader in Baghdad by the USA, the Iraqi government has said it will kick U.S. troops out. Do tensions surrounding the war in Gaza make it more likely this time?
By Cathrin Schaer & Emad Hassan
Genocide case against Israel

Where does the rest of the world stand on the momentous allegations?

South Africa says more than 50 countries have expressed support for its case at the United Nations' top court accusing Israel of genocide against Palestinians in the war in Gaza
Civilian death toll in Gaza

The shameful one percent

About 23,000 Gazans – or one percent of the population – have died in the war in the past three months. Children and teenagers account for as much as 40 % of the dead. Though provided by Hamas, the numbers are considered largely accurate
By Hans Dembowski
The Gaza war and Egyptian civil society

Deep rifts

The war in Gaza has opened up deep rifts between Arab human rights organisations and Western donor nations. And it's not just the credibility of Western governments that is at stake
By Shady Lewis Botros
Afghanistan after two years of Taliban rule

The Taliban's second emirate

During their second period of rule, the Taliban appear more moderate in a few select areas. This shift is due to a variety of factors, including international expectations and a more self-confident Afghan society. However, it is not a reason for optimism
By Felix Kugele
Organised crime in Turkey

A haven for international criminals

Lax laws on money laundering, easy access to citizenship, insufficient prosecution – Turkey has grown more attractive for international criminal networks in recent years. In response, the new interior minister has declared a crackdown
By Elmas Topcu
Sunnis and Shias in Islam

How the Sunni-Shia split shaped the Islamic world throughout history

Toby Matthiesen's new book, "The Caliph and the Imam", explores both the origins of the Sunni-Shia divide, what the two branches of Islam have in common and how the split has shaped the Islamic world
By Tugrul von Mende
Turkey's Gaza policy

Between a rock and a hard place

Between domestic pressure to take more action against Israel and pressure from the West regarding its stance on Hamas, Turkey is struggling to balance its Israel policy as it seeks permanent peace in the Middle East
By Ayşe Karabat
Israel-Hamas war

Arab attitudes are hardening against Israel

The prospect of normalised relations between Israel and Arab nations is fading as public anger at Israel's on-going bombardment of Gaza grows. Could it lead to radicalisation or violent extremism in the Middle East?
By Cathrin Schaer
War in Sudan

Conflict fuelled by climate change and the Emirates

The violent conflicts in the western region of Darfur, which were triggered by decades of drought, have now spread to central Sudan, and the United Arab Emirates is adding fuel to the fire
By Roman Deckert