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Political scientist Scott Straus on Sudan"All the fundamentals of genocide are present"
Genocide scholar Scott Straus has spent decades studying the causes of mass violence. He examines the dynamics of violence in Darfur, arguing that international inaction on Sudan highlights a broader crisis in genocide prevention.
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Language politicsCan English replace French in Algeria?
English is gaining ground in Algeria's education system, challenging the long-standing dominance of French, a remnant of colonial rule. But the shift is far from straightforward, testing the ability of schools and universities to adapt.
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Lebanese writer Hazem Saghieh"Hezbollah has never protected Lebanon from Israel"
Hazem Saghieh says that the renewed war between Israel and Hezbollah has revealed deep divisions within Lebanese society rather than fostering unity. He warns that Israel's intervention to disarm Hezbollah risks paving the way for a new occupation.
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Displacement in LebanonWhen war reached our building in Beirut
In Lebanon, war is felt differently across society, and displacement is a test of social cohesion. Manal Khader recounts how it reached her Beirut apartment block, and the responses of the residents' WhatsApp group in the Christian neighbourhood of Badaro.
Politics
More about Politics-
Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-SudaniIraq's economic reform experiment
Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani is banking on hands-on reforms and new infrastructure projects to restore trust in the state. His approach has delivered short-term stability and popularity. But Iraq's oil dependence and economic weaknesses remain.
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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.
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Another year of civil war in SyriaNothing short of scandalous
Six years on and the European Union still has no coherent plan when it comes to Syria. Even the possibility of co-operating with Russia continues to be ignored. Commentary by Omid Nouripour
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The MaghrebA regional time bomb
With the lack of sustainable development and social progress, political stability is at risk in the Maghreb. Instability may have fatal consequences for Europe. Commentary by Nassir Djafari
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Terrorist attack in LondonKeep calm and carry on
Once again a European city has become the target of terrorism. The vicious attack in Westminster this week highlights our vulnerability in the face of extremist hatred. As Dutch news correspondent Joris Luyendijk argues, the only way we can beat the terrorists is by living life to the full
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Civil war in LibyaForever at loggerheads
After one year in office, Libya′s Government of National Accord is on the verge of collapse. While its ministers are trying to maintain order in the capital, the armed opposition is challenging them for strategic positions. At the same time, the government is involved in a proxy war with the East Libyan army. Valerie Stocker reports from Tripoli
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German-Turkish relations in crisisFraying at the edges
The authoritarian course taken by the Turkish government is adversely affecting relations with Germany: the more the values in the two countries drift apart, the weaker the basis for a reliable and stable partnership. By Gulistan Gurbey
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The decline of humanism in the Arab worldWith an iron fist
Gone the dream of a modern Arab civil society. Syrian writer Nasser Rabbat examines the historical causes for despotism, tyranny and oppression in the Arab world
Society
More about Society-
War and memoryGaza's lost photographs
Through years of war, many people in Gaza have lost their personal photo albums. Palestinian journalist Asmaa al-Ghoul reflects on her family's vanished images and what their absence means for personal and collective memory.
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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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Turkey′s repression of Kurdish mediaNo 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
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Islam and violenceThere is a difference
When asked what they associate with Islam, too many Germans think of violence. The accusation that Muslims have a particular affinity with violence that is motivated by their religion is not as new as some people think, in fact it is an echo of ancient Western cliches. By Bulent Ucar
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Climate change consequences for the Islamic worldOf infernal proportions
The countries attending the Climate Change Conference in Marrakesh are ready to commit themselves to the fight against global warming. Even if greenhouse gas emissions do begin to decrease, however, the climate change already underway will have devastating consequences for the host country and for the rest of the Arab-Islamic world. By Stefan Buchen
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Muslims in the USAAnything but lethargic
The American Muslim Hind Makki works to promote interfaith dialogue in her neighbourhood Bridgeview, known as the "Little Palestine" of Chicago. She observes that in recent times, the Islamic minority's interest in politics has risen sharply – thanks to Trump. By Canan Topcu
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Islamophobia in the USAStanding up for Muslim rights
Hate crime against Muslims in the US is at its highest level in 15 years. The #MuslimsHaveRights campaign assembles academics, activists and artists who refuse to accept anti-Muslim bigotry. By Phoebe Braithwaite
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Disabled refugee children in JordanThe lesser-known victims of war
Syrian refugee children with disabilities and war injuries are especially in need of help. The Al Hussein Society in Jordan offers them more than just therapeutic support; it also promotes the participation of people with disabilities in society. A report from Amman by Claudia Mende
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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Fighting Islamic State with satire and black humourTerribly funny
Reports and videos of Islamic State's horrendous deeds have left many people around the world speechless with shock. But for many Arabs – both in the countries affected by IS and elsewhere around the globe – the only way to fight IS is to satirise and ridicule it. Elisabeth Lehmann has the details
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Interview with Ramin Sadighi from the Iranian music label Hermes RecordsThe fine line between what is permitted and what is not
Ramin Sadighi, the founder of Iranian world music label Hermes Records, talks to Shahram Ahadi about the constraints on artists in the Islamic Republic, the battle against copyright infringement and what international sanctions mean for his record label
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Film review: "Desert Dancer"Dancing around clichés
The film "Desert Dancer" tells the story of an Iranian dancer in a land where dancing is not permitted. Audiences are once again presented with a biased picture of a complex country. Marian Brehmer watched the film and questions the tendency of filmmakers to portray Iran in an exclusively negative light
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Interview with Kinan Azmeh and Dima Orsho"All we can do is sing and play our hearts out"
Clarinettist Kinan Azmeh and soprano Dima Orsho, friends since childhood, are two of the most talented musicians to emerge from the Damascus music scene. Marian Brehmer talked to the two Syrian musicians at the Morgenland Festival in Osnabruck about playing music in times of war and misery
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Interview with Vladimir Ivanoff of Ensemble SarbandCreating a community of mindfulness and acceptance
Vladimir Ivanoff is the head of Ensemble Sarband. In this interview with Adelheid Feilcke, Ivanoff explains the motivation behind the ensemble's musical project "Passio – Compassio", which could be summed up as a call to each individual to try and overcome East–West differences and make relations between the two more bearable
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Album review: "The Paris Session" by The Touré-Raichel CollectiveExpanding each other's musical horizons
An Israeli keyboard player/composer, a Malian guitarist and a chance meeting in an airport that resulted in an amazing meeting of musical worlds. Richard Marcus on The Touré-Raichel Collective's second album, "The Paris Session"
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750th anniversary of Rumi's death - Qantara.de
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