Politics

Western Sahara – the last colony in Africa

″Armed resistance is their only choice″

With Rabat′s latest Dakhla proposal promising even deeper economic penetration of Western Sahara, many Sahrawis are left wondering if a referendum favouring independence can ever undo Morocco′s presence in the territory. Report from Dakhla by Matthew Greene
By Matthew Greene
Rafik Schami on integration

″To the haters, they′re all faceless Muslims″

In this article, the Syrian-German writer Rafik Schami outlines his idea of integration and hospitality.
By Rafik Schami
Pakistan′s struggle with sectarianism

Enough is enough

In recent years, Pakistan, a country with a rich and varied multi-ethnic and multi-religious history, has become a hostile place for minorities. Aurangzeb Qureshi, writer and political commentator, examines how Pakistan might quell its burgeoning sectarianism
By Aurangzeb Qureshi
Sadiq Khan′s London

Democracy wins out

Pakistani by origin, Muslim by faith and newly elected Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan is the man of the hour in the United Kingdom, if not in Europe. As Bernard-Henri Levy argues, his victory sends a highly positive signal
By Bernard-Henri Lévy
Sykes-Picot and the role of Gertrude Bell

Midwife of the Middle East

The order of nation states in the Middle East has been disintegrating since Islamic State fighters overran the Syrian border in 2014 – a border that dates back to 1916 and a secret agreement between the diplomats Sir Mark Sykes and Francois Georges-Picot. Yet one woman also played a key role: the British national Gertrude Bell. Birgit Svensson visited her grave in Baghdad
100 years of Sykes-Picot

"A tapestry of plans and promises"

One hundred years ago, the Middle East was divvied up between the French and the British. The historian Maurus Reinkowski talks about the long-term effects of the colonialist powers' splitting up of the spoils. Interview by Andreas Noll
By Andreas Noll
Iraq′s political crisis

Al-Sadr the power broker

Demonstrators have gathered in Baghdad to protest Iraq's government every Friday for months. The Shia cleric Muqtada al-Sadr is using the movement to stage his political comeback. Birgit Svensson reports from Baghdad
By Birgit Svensson
Political protests in Egypt

Sisi′s falling star

Just days after the Egyptian regime seemed capable of tolerating protests critical of its policies, the authorities clamped down massively on a new wave of demonstrations to hit the country. The security apparatus' ambivalent response to the unrest has raised questions. By Sofian Philip Naceur in Cairo
By Sofian Philip Naceur
Interview with Andre Bank, political scientist

"The refugees are part of Jordanian politics"

As conflicts continue to escalate in the region, Jordan remains stable. In fact, the kingdom is actually profiting from the chaos and the refugees, says political scientist Andre Bank in conversation with Jannis Hagmann
By Jannis Hagmann
Spate of murders in Bangladesh

See no evil, hear no evil

A spate of recent killings of secular bloggers, academics and activists has spotlighted the growing sense of insecurity in Bangladesh. Ali Riaz explains the reasons behind the attacks and the government's inaction
By Ali Riaz
Politics and economics in Iran

Pie in the sky

Four months after the historic nuclear deal, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has been left practically empty-handed. UN sanctions against Iran have been largely lifted, but those still in force are so complex that few financial institutions in Europe are daring to conduct any business with Tehran, where there is a growing sense of disappointment – leaving rich pickings for the radicals. By Ali Sadrzadeh
By Ali Sadrzadeh
Political crisis in Libya

United we stand?

Four months after the signing of one of the UN-backed peace agreements between the conflict parties in Libya, the unity government may have arrived in the capital, but it is still uncertain when it will be able to fully assume power. Valerie Stocker reports from Tripoli
By Valerie Stocker