Society

"Neo-Taliban" in Afghanistan?

Democracy Taliban-style

In league with the village mullahs: the Taliban have taken Afghanistan by storm. The rebels' victory is the result of a social revolution in Afghanistan, writes Joseph Croitoru in his analysis
By Joseph Croitoru
Shia minority in a Sunni state

Afghanistan's repressed Hazaras face a hostile Taliban

Following the Taliban's power grab, members of the Hazara minority fear they will be targeted. Those who can, escape. Others have joined the armed opposition. But for many, there is no way out. Report by Naomi Conrad, Birgitta Schuelke-Gill and Samad Sharif
By Naomi Conrad, Birgitta Schuelke-Gill, Samad Sharif
Migration policy

Europe's migrants are part of the solution

Migrants are often maligned as being responsible for Europe's problems. Yet their integration is in Europe's interest. Michael Thaidigsmann believes that a long-term vision is overdue
By Michael Thaidigsmann
Raw materials attract China

Why Afghanistan should be filthy rich

To date, the Taliban have profited from the opium and heroin trade. Now the militant group effectively rules a country with valuable resources that China needs to grow its economy. Background by Nik Martin
By Nik Martin
"Their lives are in danger"

Afghanistan’s female athletes sound alarm after Taliban takeover

The Taliban’s return to power in Afghanistan has raised grave concerns for the country’s female athletes. Now that Sharia law will be enforced, they worry about losing the freedoms they have gained over the past two decades and in some cases fear for their lives. Romain Houeix reports
Afghanistan in the hand of the Islamists

Taliban rule the second time round – what to expect?

In the wake of the Taliban seizing power in Afghanistan, it makes sense to take a closer look at their ideology. Can they contribute to a peaceful order? German Afghanistan expert Thomas Ruttig recently outlined his view in an essay for a U.S. Military Academy West Point publication. By Rishikesh Thapa
By Rishikesh Thapa
Turkey

Anti-Syrian sentiment boils over in Ankara riots

There are approximately 4 million refugees in Turkey, and they are increasingly the objects of hostility - as recent riots in Ankara have shown. Experts warn that the situation is likely to escalate in future
By Daniel Derya Bellut
Interview with German anthropologist Dieter Haller

Tangier/Gibraltar: a tale of one city

In his new book, "Tangier/Gibraltar- A Tale of one city: An Ethnography", Dieter Haller looks at how shared experiences and practices have created a unique relationship and a sense of neighbourhood across the Straits of Gibraltar – a cultural area he calls "TanGib". Although "TanGib" has never been an administrative entity, the two cities and the surrounding regions have at times been inextricably linked. Fouzia Hayouh spoke to Prof Heller about his book and what the future could hold for the region
By Fouzia Hayouh
Women in the Arab world

More violence, less income: Arab women bear the brunt of COVID-19

A new survey by Arab Barometer adds numbers to the narrative that COVID has led to a harsher reality for women in the Middle East and North Africa. By Jennifer Holleis and Razan Salman
By Jennifer Holleis, Razan Salman
The fate of the Armenians

Vakıflı: The last Armenian village in Turkey

The village of Vakıflı (population 150) in the southern Turkish province of Hatay near the Syrian border is the last remaining Armenian village in Turkey. Lately, interest in the town and the history of Armenians has been growing. By Jochen Menzel
By Jochen Menzel
One year after the Beirut port blast

Young activists fight for a new Lebanon

The young activists from the Minteshreen movement want to provide an alternative to the political corruption of the elites. For them, the state is more important than religion. By Sina Schweikle in Beirut
By Sina Schweikle
Yemen's civil war

Underage "martyrs": child soldiers in Yemen

In Yemen, families send their children to so-called summer camps. There, adolescents are given combat training and taught why they should fight for God. Both government forces and Houthi rebels use child soldiers.
By Ahmed Amran, Emad Hassan