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Ralph Ghadban on Iran"The Islamic Republic is rooted in society"
Whether through appeasement or escalation, the West keeps making the same mistake with Iran, argues Islamic studies scholar Ralph Ghadban: it fails to recognise the regime's radical Shia ideological foundations.
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Israeli activist Yuli Novak"The system is based on violence"
In this interview, the head of Israeli NGO B’Tselem discusses the increasingly boundless violence in the region and argues that defending Palestinian rights is defending human rights worldwide. She urges Germany to lead in upholding international law.
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Jewish community in Syria"One day we’ll drive from Damascus to Jerusalem"
The fall of Assad has prompted the return of millions of Syrians, including a small Jewish minority. Under Henry Hamra, son of the country’s last chief rabbi, they are asking whether a lasting return is possible.
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Opposition figure Behrouz Farahani"The war has frozen Iran's protest movements"
The Iran war stems from two reactionary forces, the hegemonic ambitions of Iran’s Shia establishment and the Israeli vision of reshaping the Middle East, says Behrouz Farahani. A ceasefire is urgent, he argues, and real change must come from within.
Politics
More about Politics-
Iran WarWill the Gulf states stand together?
Hard hit by Iranian attacks, the business model of the Gulf states is under attack. Yet they are far from defenceless: with coordination—and unity—they could establish themselves as powerful agents of change.
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Attacks on IranDid the Saudis want this war?
Saudi Arabia's calculations in the Iran war may be different from what many assume. Rockets and drones are flying towards Doha, Dubai and even Riyadh—yet the kingdom could still see opportunities in the conflict.
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Pakistanʹs premier Imran KhanPlayboy turned politician
Clad in traditional shalwar kameez and rolling rosary beads in his right hand, Pakistanʹs new prime minister, Imran Khan, recently took office. He promises change, yet what form will such change take? Afshan Subohi has the details
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Interview with novelist and activist Arundhati Roy"We're up against a fascist regime in India"
In interview with Murali Krishnan, renowned novelist and social activist Arundhati Roy talks about the recent arrests of leftist intellectuals in India and accuses PM Modi's government of "overturning" the country's constitution
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Torture under the Assad regimeSyrian detainee No. 72
The Syrian government has acknowledged that hundreds of detainees were killed in state custody. Anchal Vohra met one of the prisoners who, along with many others, was tortured in Bashar Assad's jails. This is his story
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Interview with Thomas RuttigAfghanistan's democracy in reverse gear
Afghanistan expert Thomas Ruttig says that in the West's battle with the Taliban, too much focus has been placed for too long on political allies with problematic credentials: many warlords are still armed and have never faced prosecution for past offences. Despite being non-democrats, they control democratic institutions to this day. Interview by Hans Spross
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A new quality of civil unrestIs Iraq steering towards post-sectarianism?
In the absence of civil war, the people of Iraq have found an opportunity to demand that the political elite deliver on their election campaign promises. Chanting slogans demanding services and jobs, the protesters are keeping clear of sectarian rhetoric. By Seyed Ali Alavi
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State repression in TurkeyTear gas for grieving Saturday Mothers
The Saturday Mothers gather weekly in Turkey to demand information on loved ones subjected to enforced disappearance or state violence. But in the country’s repressive political environment even their vigils are coming under attack. Tom Stevenson and Murat Bayram report from Istanbul
Society
More about Society-
Palestinians in EgyptTime to return to Gaza?
In Egypt, Palestinians displaced by war in Gaza face a painful dilemma: return to their families and a devastated homeland or remain in limbo without residency. Medical needs, financial hardship and border fears make the decision fraught.
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Culture in GermanyThe politics of neutrality
This year’s Berlinale highlighted the tensions between art and supposedly neutral institutions. But state-funded cultural bodies don't operate outside politics; they set the terms of debate. Greater transparency about how boundaries are drawn could strengthen trust.
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Syrian refugee childrenUrgent action required
Eight years of war in Syria have meant eight years of children being permanently exposed to violence. Many of them have been forced to leave their homes and now live in southern Syria, Jordan or Lebanon – often in precarious conditions. By Dagmar Wolf
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ImmigrationIntegration "made in Germany"
Successful integration, a new German trademark? While chaos appears to reign at the Federal Office for Refugees, daily life for migrants is better than many might assume. A look at positive trends. By Astrid Prange
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Interview with Wafa′a Alsaidy, co-ordinator of Medecins du Monde in YemenAt the expense of the Yemeni people
After more than three years of violent conflict, Yemen′s public and health sector is on the brink of collapse. While the warring factions are comfortable with the state of affairs, much of the population faces starvation and disease. Wafa′a Alsaidy, co-ordinator of the Yemen mission of Medecins du Monde (MdM) talks to Kai Schnier
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Exiled Turks in GreeceBridge-building in 'enemy country'
At school they were taught that the Greeks were their enemies. Now many Turks, driven into exile by Erdoganʹs aggressive policies, have found refuge in Thessaloniki, just five hours by road from Istanbul. Report by Florian Schmitz
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Iran at the 2018 FIFA World CupBattling on several fronts
Iran's participation in the 2018 Football World Cup in Russia – the fifth time the nation has taken part in the competition – should be a joyous occasion for soccer-mad Iranians. But foreign sanctions and domestic restrictions are subduing the celebratory mood. Farid Ashrafian reports
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Islam and single-use plasticsAppealing to Indonesia's Muslims
The Indonesian government and Greenpeace have teamed up with Islamic organisations to promote plastic waste reduction. Can including religion make environmental campaigns more effective? By Rizki Nugraha and Ayu Purwaningsih
Culture
More about Culture-
Ramadan TV specialsSyrian drama after Assad
Television dramas are a Ramadan staple in Syria. This year, for the first time, viewers watched series written in a post-Assad era, some confronting past trauma, others offering satirical critique, sparking fierce debate over how the country's stories should be told.
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Syed Muhammad Naquib al-AttasA life rethinking the foundations of knowledge
Malaysian philosopher and polymath Syed Muhammad Naquib al-Attas has died aged 94. A lifelong critic of Western intellectual dominance, his work has shaped debates on modernity and education across the Muslim world.
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Book review: Basma Abdel Aziz′s ″The Queue″Disturbingly prescient
Were George Orwell′s ″1984″ to meet and mingle with the rich, detailed portrait of Cairo in Naguib Mahfouz′s ″Trilogy″, the two would birth a novel something like Basma Abdel Aziz′s ″The Queue″. Marcia Lynx Qualey read the book
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Album review: ″Sandaraa″ by SandaraaFusion in the truest sense
Klezmer – the music synonymous with the Jewish settlements of 19th century Eastern Europe – and Baluchi, Pashto and Dari, folk music from Pakistan, would appear to have little or nothing in common. In their latest album, Sandaraa, the Pakistani/Brooklyn musical collaboration fronted by Michael Woodgrad and Zeb Bangash, provide a stunning example of how fusion can work. By Richard Marcus
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The Oriental adventures of Hermann von Puckler-MuskauPrussia's favourite dandy
Prince Puckler was one of the principal landowners in 19th century Prussia. Yet, his passion for landscape gardening brought him to the brink of financial ruin. His literary career provided some monetary relief, especially his travelogues, which also led him on a journey to the Egypt of Muhammad Ali Pasha. By Christine Pfeilschifter
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Book review: Ali Eteraz′ ″Native Believer″Digging the dirt
In his new novel "Native Believer", published by Akashic Press, Ali Eteraz takes us behind the headlines of the Islamophobic attacks by politicians to show us the damage inflicted upon a generation of American citizens and the deep-seated scars they bear. Richard Marcus read the book
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Interview with Hamed Sinno, frontman of Mashrou’ LeilaFlouting Arab pop convention
Mashrou' Leila is the most popular indie rock band in the Middle East – and the most controversial. Singing about politics and gay desire, they have faced bans in various countries. Yet at the same time they are becoming increasingly popular in Europe and the U.S. Ceyda Nurtsch talked to them about checkpoints, indie rock music and cliches
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Interview with the Turkish author Baris Uygur"Even we're lost for words sometimes"
With a circulation of around 80,000, ″Uykusuz″ is Turkey's most popular satirical magazine. Writer Baris Uygur is one of its publishers. Here he talks to Ceyda Nurtsch about satirical magazines in Turkey, getting around censorship regulations and the popularity of crime fiction
750th anniversary of Rumi's death
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