Politics

The Chilcot Report

It's a no brainer

The lesson of the Iraq War should not be that armed intervention is to be avoided per se, but that such action should only be undertaken when it is the best available strategy – and the results are likely to justify the costs. By Richard Haass
By Richard Haass
The not-so-United Kingdom

A potentially sticky wicket

Although a majority of Asian and Muslim voters rejected a Brexit, about a third did vote for the United Kingdom to leave the European Union. Thomas Baerthlein reports from London about their motives – and increasing concerns about the negative fallout of the referendum on all ethnic minorities, particularly Asians and Muslims
By Thomas Bärthlein
The reconquest of Fallujah

The serpent′s head

Last week Iraq′s prime minister, Haider al-Abadi, announced victory over the "Islamic State" terror militia in Fallujah and the liberation of the city. But following the advance of government forces into the centre of the western Iraqi IS stronghold, the refugee crisis in the region is worsening. The mass exodus from Fallujah continues, with people still leaving in their thousands. By Birgit Svensson
By Birgit Svensson
Where is Egypt's left heading?

"The political arena is closed"

Nearly three years after the army seized power, Egypt's regime-critical opposition finds itself with its back to the wall. Politically marginalised left-wing parties and movements are now trying to maintain their ability to act by forging close alliances. Will this really allow afford them political influence in the longer term? Sofian Philip Naceur reports from Cairo
By Sofian Philip Naceur
Migration pact with Africa

The EU′s paper tiger

The EU claims that the migration pact with Africa is a completely new initiative. Rather than reshaping patterns of migration, however, Europe′s desperate politics of symbolism would merely seem to focus on stemming the flow. By Ludger Schadomsky
By Ludger Schadomsky
10th conference of the Tunisian Ennahda Party

Farewell to political Islam?

The latest Ennahda party conference, held in the Tunisian town of Hammamet, revealed in both its symbolism and the new parlance used by the party a renunciation of political Islam in favour of Muslim democracy. By Ivesa Lubben
By Ivesa Lübben
Battle for the IS stronghold of Fallujah

Militiamen on the rampage

The battle for the Iraqi city of Fallujah is in full swing. Shia militia are apparently giving the IS jihadists a run for their money. But what appears to be militarily effective is a political disaster. By Karim El-Gawhary
By Karim El-Gawhary
Mass shooting in Orlando

Sounding the death knell

Terrorists have more than their immediate victims in their sights - they aim to destroy liberal, open societies. This election year, writes Ines Pohl, the Orlando killer could succeed
By Ines Pohl
France and the Middle East

What chance ″la grande paix″?

Since the beginning of the year, the French government has been building support for an international conference to restart the Israel-Palestine peace process. France deserves applause for its brave effort to revive a process that has been going nowhere for the best part of a decade. But success will require more than courage. By Daoud Kuttab
By Daoud Kuttab
Football fan protests in Turkey and Egypt

Closed ranks

Battles for control of stadiums and other public spaces in Turkey and Egypt have pitched militant football fans against authoritarian leaders. By James Dorsey
By James M. Dorsey
The Taliban′s spring offensive

Over one million displaced Afghans

The most recent suicide attack on the outskirts of Kabul shows once again that in Afghanistan, battles are not only being fought between the army and the rebels. Anyone can find themselves targeted and civilians are the ones suffering the most. By Matthias Lauer
By Matthias Lauer
Interview with the Egyptian author Alaa Al Aswany

″I write to defend democracy″

Best-selling novelist Alaa Al Aswany was one of the main protagonists in the 2011 Egyptian uprising and remains a high-profile government critic. Interview by Sabine Peschel
By Sabine Peschel