Most recent articles by Karim El-Gawhary
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Fourth anniversary of Egypt's January RevolutionGraveyard silence replaces revolutionary euphoria
On the first anniversary of Egypt's January revolution, there was a huge festival on Cairo's central Tahrir Square. On the fourth anniversary, demonstrations were banned and the square blocked off by the army. By Karim El-Gawhary in Cairo
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Reactions to the "Charlie Hebdo" attack in the Arab world"Radicals killed radicals"
In the wake of the horrific attack on the staff of "Charlie Hebdo" in Paris on 7 January, Islamic associations and imams across Europe have condemned the killings. So too have politicians and religious dignitaries across the Islamic world. But, says Karim El-Gawhary in Cairo, for some people in the Arab world, things are not quite so black-and-white
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The Middle East in 2014New regional power games
The rise of Islamic State in Syria and Iraq has dramatically altered the regional order. While Iran and Turkey are becoming key political players in the crisis-torn area, the West continues to lose influence. An analysis by Karim El-Gawhary
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Protests in Egypt"Down with all Mubaraks!"
A court decision to drop all charges against Egypt's former President Hosni Mubarak in connection with the deaths of more than 800 demonstrators prompted protests and riots in Cairo and other cities in Egypt. Karim El-Gawhary reports from Cairo's Tahrir Square
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Strategies for combating ISPlea for a wide-angled view of the Arab world
In spite of all the hysteria surrounding IS, the terrorist militia is just one symptom of a changing region where repressive despots and militant Islamists are rising up once again and goading each other on. An essay by Karim El-Gawhary
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The abduction of women by ISTraded like cattle
Amsha is a young Yazidi woman and mother who was abducted by IS and sold to an armed fighter from the city of Mosul. She told Qantara.de the horrific story of her 25-day captivity at the hands of IS and her successful escape. By Karim El-Gawhary in Dohuk
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The international alliance against ISNo clear objective
The American strategy of conducting air strikes in Syria remains dubious and unclear. According to Karim El-Gawhary, air strikes can only be part of a broader military strategy, and the West needs to address the genesis of IS
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Shifting alliances in the Middle EastMy enemy's enemy is my friend
The successes of IS militias are turning the West's established concept of friend and foe on its head. Former rogue nations are emerging as strategic partners, and declared terrorists are becoming allies. By Karim El-Gawhary
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The Peshmerga fight against IS militiaAn unpredictable enemy
The Kurdish Peshmerga have limited tools in hand for their fight against the IS terror militia: they are for the most part poorly equipped, military co-ordination with the Americans is sluggish and US air strikes have thus far had little impact. By Karim El-Gawhary in Iraq
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ISIS and the Iraqi governmentIn the grip of the jihadists
For years, Iraq's Sunnis have been marginalised by the central government in Baghdad. This is now having dire consequences. It is apparent that ISIS's advance has been aided by former Sunni officers from the Saddam era. By Karim El-Gawhary
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EU election monitors in EgyptAlienating all sides
The EU wants it both ways: it would like to retain the moral upper hand as the cradle of democracy, while at the same time maintaining good links with Egypt's new leader, Abdul Fattah al-Sisi. A commentary by Karim El-Gawhary
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More mass death sentences in EgyptThe breakdown of Egypt's legal system
Instead of demonstrating its professionalism and independence and upholding the rule of law, Egypt's judiciary is compromising itself by playing the role of an angel of vengeance, handing down merciless punishments to members of the Muslim Brotherhood in fast-track mass trials. The breakdown of the country's legal system is a disaster that will eventually cost all Egyptians dear, says Karim El-Gawhary in Cairo