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New Participants in the German Islam Conference

The Patronised Minority

There is something deeply paternalistic, even un-democratic, about the policy for choosing members of the German Islam Conference. The ministry deliberates behind closed doors. And the Muslims wait to see who will represent them. A commentary by Hilal Sezgin
Turkey's general election

Abdullah Gul′s choice

With Turkey facing its second general election this year on 1 November, is Abdullah Gul, the country′s former president, going to provide Turkish politics with the counterweight to Recep Tayyip Erdogan it so urgently needs? A commentary by Nina L. Khruscheva
Interview with a survivor of the Suruc attack

"All we want is freedom"

The faces of the 31 members of the Federation of Socialist Youth Associations (SGDF) killed in the attack on 20 July still gaze down from banners strung around the courtyard of the Amara Culture Centre where the bomb was detonated. Inside, surrounded by broken windows, sits Adnan, a 25-year-old Kurd, who describes the IS terrorism that drove him out of Kobani, only to catch up with him across the border in Suruc. Fabian Kohler spoke to him about the attack
Diyarbakir and the Turkish military offensive

The spoils of urban warfare

The Turkish military operation brought death and destruction to the historic heart of Diyarbakir. Now, there has been a sudden decision to nationalise the neighbourhood – sounding alarm bells for its historic legacy. By Sonja Galler
Erdogan′s Turkey

The repression goes on

Turkey’s government is hounding opponents. Shortly after its narrow – and disputed – referendum victory in April, it extended the state of emergency and ran yet another purge of the police. The media had been silenced before the referendum and cannot hold the authorities accountable anymore. By Hans Dembowski
Turkey′s repression of Kurdish media

No holds barred

The working conditions for Kurdish journalists in Turkey have always been difficult. But since the failed coup attempt in July this year, their work is being hindered in an alarming manner. By Sonja Galler in Diyarbakir
Turkey and the refugee deal

False friends forever

Germany is facing a crucial question. How can the refugees be stopped? Demonstrating an alarming lack of historical awareness, Chancellor Angela Merkel is putting all her faith in an alliance with Turkey. Yet as events of the early 20th century clearly showed, Germany should never make its political destiny dependent on co-operation with the nationalistic Turkish state. An essay by Stefan Buchen
EU-Turkey deal

The alternative is Idomeni

Instead of mocking Merkel as a "pushover", those concerned with the welfare of refugees would do better to throw their weight behind realising her plan. Otherwise, we could see Europe adopting the Victor Orban model, the consequences of which can already been seen. Commentary by Daniel Bax
Refugee crisis in the Mediterranean

New networks trafficking Syrians from Egypt to Europe

The UN Security Council is set to vote on the EU's proposal for military action against people smugglers in the Mediterranean. But who are these people smugglers? What form do their networks take? And are they really a security threat? By Lewis Sanders
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