Politics

After the Taliban attack on Kunduz

Lacking political vision

The blood-letting goes on in Afghanistan, and as usual, it is the civilians who are suffering most. Forced to shoulder the political burden, coalition troops in the country were unable to create the right conditions for peace. Commentary by Sandra Petersmann in Kabul
By Sandra Petersmann
Combatting Islamic State

Foreign fighters ″crusade″ against IS

IS may have proved adept at attracting foreign nationals to its cause, but many have also joined up to fight the pseudo caliphate. And there′s no lack of religious fervour among the ranks either – some see it as their Christian duty. By Manar Ammar
By Manar Ammar
Al-Sisi′s Egypt

Hopes for a free press fading

Introducing swingeing new fines, the Egyptian government is coming down increasingly hard on journalists and publications determined to assert their right to freedom of expression. Tow the line or leave the country is the impression formed by many. By Ingy Salama
By Ingy Salama
Arab protest movements

The brief Jordanian spring

Tunisia, Egypt, Syria: in 2010/2011 the Arab World was in uproar. Young people took to the streets; the demonstrations led to regime change, but also to civil war. In Jordan, however, the protests lasted only briefly – and generated few results. The Jordanian journalist Tamer Khorma took part in the protests at that time. He explains why things came to a head and talks about the current situation in the country
By Sascha Lübbe
Kristin Helberg goes on record about the Syrian conflict

″We need an alternative to Assad″

At the recent EU summit on refugees, German Chancellor Angela Merkel announced that she was willing to take part in talks with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. In an interview with Wolfgang Dick, Middle East expert Kristin Helberg warns against misinterpretation
By Wolfgang Dick
Hindus and Muslims in India

Why census data is a priority political issue

Years later than planned, the Indian government has finally released census data on religious affiliation. The published figures could be exploited by the country′s political parties for their own ends, thereby further straining relations between Hindus and Muslims. By Ronald Meinardus
By Ronald Meinardus
The Arab view of the European refugee crisis

Ludicrous squabbling

Syria’s Middle Eastern neighbours have to date absorbed four million Syrian refugees. For this reason the EU should make it plain that despite images of train stations full of refugees, Europe is only shouldering a relatively small part of the current burden. A contribution to the debate by Karim El-Gawhary
By Karim El-Gawhary
The role of Qassem Soleimani in Iraq

Reining in the lion

Until recently, General Qassem Soleimani, the commander of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards "Quds" Force, was still being hailed as a military hero and man for the future. But more and more details are emerging concerning his destructive role in Iraq. By Ali Sadrzadeh
By Ali Sadrzadeh
Mahmoud Abbas and the PLO

Palestine′s office-weary regent

Dissatisfaction with Mahmoud Abbas – including within his own party – is growing. His political programme has remained for the most part unsuccessful. Many politicians have therefore begun to consider the possible aftermath of the president′s political departure. An analysis by Ingrid Ross
By Ingrid Ross
Jihadist youths

Is Islam a radicalising force?

What role Islam as a faith plays in jihadism and the radicalisation of young Muslims is something that is rarely addressed. A contribution to the discussion by Dirk Baehr
By Dirk Baehr
The Syrian exodus

"Stop Assad's bombs, then we'll go back"

Many Germans are wondering why so many Syrians are currently thronging its borders. Most of those arriving in Europe at the moment, however, have already been on the move for a long time. By Kristin Helberg
By Kristin Helberg
Impact of border controls in the EU

The European downward spiral

It is arguably already too late for European governments to understand that with the introduction of border controls, they cannot change the reality of flight and the search for asylum. But these measures are creating political divisions across the continent that will be difficult to heal. A commentary by Stefan Buchen
By Stefan Buchen