Society

America and the War on Terror

Guantanamo's "forever prisoners"

The notorious U.S. prison camp is 20 years old. Over the years, several plans to close it have been rejected. For the detainees, little has changed in the last two decades. Oliver Sallet reports from Guantanamo Bay
By Oliver Sallet
Tunisia's political future

Kais Saied's divisive online poll

Tunisia's first-ever digital survey on a new constitution is key to Tunisian President Kais Saied's path out of a political crisis. But as with Saied himself, reactions to the online innovation have been mixed. By Cathrin Schaer and Tarak Guizani
By Cathrin Schaer, Tarak Guizani
Political correctness in the Gulf

Qatar's textbook spring-clean

With World Cup 2022 around the corner, Qatar has embarked on a campaign to clean up its school system. Distracting from grievous shortcomings in other areas by highlighting a willingness to reform on "soft" issues remains a stubborn trend across the Islamic world. By James M. Dorsey
Iraq's Yazidi women

After tragedy, new freedoms and opportunities

Historically Iraq's Yazidi community was isolated, under-resourced and very conservative. Seven years after the "Islamic State" tragedy, the community is more open to the world – and Yazidi women are benefitting. By Cathrin Schaer
By Cathrin Schaer
COVID-19 pandemic in India

Enabling the rights of the child

COVID-19 has many negative impacts on children, particularly in terms of education and healthcare. Development projects in the Indian state of Assam show how actors can successfully support disadvantaged children in times of crisis. By Enakshi Dutta, Cynthia Dittmar and Franziska Muller
By Enakshi Dutta, Cynthia Dittmar, Franziska Müller
Lebanon in crisis

Support lacking for trauma victims

The 2020 Beirut port blast was a traumatic experience for many people in Lebanon. A large number sought therapy in the aftermath. But, with doctors leaving the country, help is not easy to find. Diana Hodali reports
By Diana Hodali
Women's rights

Taliban revoke Afghan women's hard-won rights

Restrictions imposed by the Taliban after their takeover mostly targeted urban women. Now, the expanded rules could affect all women in Afghanistan. By Monir Ghaedi
By Monir Ghaedi
Best of Qantara.de 2021

Top ten most-read articles on Qantara.de

Every year in December, the team at Qantara.de takes a look back at the articles that proved most popular with our readers. This year is no different. Here is a run-down of the stories that mattered most to you in 2021. Happy New Year to all our readers!
Arab world

Conflict and climate change drive Syria's water crisis

Northeastern Syria is experiencing its worst drought in nearly 70 years, with rising temperatures and erratic weather exacerbated by tensions with Turkey. Daniela Sala, Bart von Laffert and Shaveen Mohammad report
By Daniela Sala, Bart von Laffert, Shaveen Mohammad
Young people in Iraqi Kurdistan

Turning towards religion or away from it?

Young people in northern Iraq are so disillusioned that many are trying to leave the country any way they can. Some fear widespread discontent could push people toward potentially dangerous religious fundamentalism. By Cathrin Schaer
By Cathrin Schaer
Haifa's Holiday of Holidays

The festival where everyone is welcome

Haifa is known for being Israel’s exemplary model of relative harmony between Jewish and Palestinian citizens. Its unique "Holiday of Holidays" is a joyous, multicultural event that has become a major player in domestic tourism. After a two-year break due to the pandemic, Noam Yatsiv writes from this year's festival
By Noam Yatsiv
Women's rights in North Africa

"The headscarf is losing its religious edge"

Moroccan sociologist Fatima Sadiqi believes that women's movements in North Africa have changed over the past ten years. Today, women from all social classes are fighting together for more rights, regardless of whether they are "secular" or "Islamic" feminists. Claudia Mende spoke with her for Qantara.de
By Claudia Mende