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Hormuz and Bab el‑MandebCenturies of struggle for the Straits
Three colonial powers—the Portuguese, the Dutch and the British—gained, and then lost, control over the straits of Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb. Today, as the US and Iran struggle over these vital chokepoints, history offers a warning.
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Anti-colonialism"Palestine reveals the limits of international solidarity"
Why do African publics stand so firmly with Palestine while many of their governments court Israel? Algerian researcher Raouf Farrah traces the answer to the continent's anti-colonial past, and to the gap between popular solidarity and state diplomacy.
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German state electionsMigrants face a shifting political reality
The far-right AfD made historic gains in September's state elections, while the Left Party came out on top in Berlin for the first time. Migrants across the country are now considering what the results could mean for their everyday lives and futures.
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"Postmuslim" by Youssef RakhaOne author, multiple selves
"Postmuslim" is an intimate new collection of essays in English by Youssef Rakha. The Egyptian author explores his complex relationship with the West while tracing his intellectual evolution over several decades.
Politics
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Gilbert Achcar on the impact of 9/11"The Iraq War shattered the promise of a new world order"
The attacks of 11 September 2001 fundamentally altered US foreign policy and triggered a series of wars that have reshaped the Middle East. 25 years on, Gilbert Achcar reflects on the US response to 9/11 and its enduring impact on the region.
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Taliban in AfghanistanPower consolidated, society reshaped
In the five years since regaining power, the Taliban have cemented their rule in Afghanistan, bringing armed conflict in the country to a relative lull. Their ambitions go beyond maintaining control: they are seeking to transform the country from the bottom up.
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The rise of Boko HaramWhen the terror began
In his new book, journalist Mike Smith describes the rise of Boko Haram from an obscure sect to a feared terrorist group. According to Ulrich Schwerin, while Smith vividly portrays the group's violent practices, he leaves many questions about the movement's goals, structures and financing unanswered
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Noam Chomsky and Ilan Pappe in dialogueA one- or two-state solution?
In their recently published dialogue, "On Palestine", Noam Chomsky and Ilan Pappe make the case for a greater effort to be made to find a political solution to the Middle East conflict. They discuss the issue of a one or two-state solution and prompt a debate that is virtually non-existent in Germany. By Emran Feroz
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Archaeological artefacts and sites in SyriaWhen historical treasures become pawns in a civil war
The Druze region in southern Syria, home to numerous archaeological treasures, is still regarded as one of the strongholds of the Assad regime. But that may soon change. Will Suwaida become the next Palmyra? By Joseph Croitoru
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Conflict between Arabs and Berbers in AlgeriaA social minefield
Hostilities between Berbers and Arab tribes in eastern Algeria in early July claimed at least 22 lives and left dozens injured. The Algerian Defence Ministry has announced that it is sending troops into the restive province of Ghardaia to put an end to the violence. Andreas Gorzewski takes a closer look at the background to this recent escalation
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After the nuclear agreement with IranTime to deliver
After the successful negotiation of an agreement on Iran's nuclear programme, the pressure on Iranian President Hassan Rouhani is set to increase. Iranians expect an improvement not only in their economic and socio-political situation but also in the fight against corruption. By Adnan Tabatabai
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Nuclear agreement with IranA major historic breakthrough
The US and Iran have overcome their enmity. This opens the door to the settlement of a number of conflicts in the Middle East. A commentary by Andreas Zumach
Society
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Education and climate in YemenToo hot for class
In Houthi-controlled Yemen, the decision to schedule the school year by the Hijri calendar has pushed classes earlier into the harshest heat of summer. For students this has compounded the impact of climate change, posing health risks and driving up dropout rates.
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Turkish women's association Havle"White secular women do not have a monopoly on feminism"
The Muslim queer-feminist group Havle uses religious arguments to challenge discrimination. Facing growing hostility and, most recently, arrests, two members speak about the struggle for LGBTQ rights in the country.
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Anti-Semitism and IslamophobiaA third way, yes, but one that acknowledges the complexity of today's realities
Terrorist attacks, the rise of hate-crimes and extremism threaten the cohesion of European societies. All of these events underline the need for a "third way", one that neither strives for isolation nor promotes animosity. Yet a "third way" must not turn a blind eye to the impact of hate-speech and hate-crimes on the collective conscience of a targeted group. And it has to resist the temptation to exaggerate reality for the sake of its mission. By David Neuwirth
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Manifesto published by Muslim intellectualsFor Islam and democracy
Muslim intellectuals have called on their fellow believers to indentify the failures of Muslim societies and develop an Islam for the twenty-first century. Loay Mudhoon believes that Europe should unreservedly support this effort
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"Women of the Islamic State"Prisoners of a barbaric system
Marriage at age nine is permitted, working is not; make-up is evil. A new treatise written by female supporters of IS sheds light on the image and role of women in the area controlled by Islamic State. By Prof Susanne Schroeter
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The post-Pegida periodPegida may be running out of steam, but its ideas live on
The Pegida activists' winter fairy tale is drawing to a close. We owe this not only to the movement's internal disputes and confused agenda, but also to a large number of counter-demonstrations. Civil society is apparently united in opposition to right wing demonstrations. All's well that ends well? Answers from Stefan Weidner
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Religious communities in the Middle EastNo to sectarianism; yes to equal citizenship!
The author and media commentator Khaled Hroub believes that Christians, Muslims, Jews and followers of other religions can only live peacefully together in the Middle East if people in these countries stop looking at each other in terms of their faith and start treating everyone – without exception – as citizens with equal rights
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Arabs and Jews in IsraelYou can't tear us apart
Israeli society is divided. Most Israeli Arabs and Jews live in separate worlds. Most, but not all. Andrea Backhaus presents three inspiring examples of co-existence in Israel
Culture
More about Culture-
Arthouse film in MoroccoKeeping Tangier's cinematic history alive
20 years ago, the historic Cinema Rif in Tangier was renovated and reopened as the Cinémathèque de Tanger, one of the few arthouse cinemas in North Africa today. Elisa Pierandrei traces its history and place in Morocco's vibrant film culture.
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Remembering Sliman MansourThe artist behind a Palestinian icon
"Camel of Hardship" by Sliman Mansour, who died on 24 August, is one of the most recognisable images in Palestinian art. Asmaa al-Ghoul tells how it came to appear on walls across the country and why it remains deeply embedded in collective memory.
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The Israeli Film ''Sharqiya''Grappling with the Plight of Israel's Bedouins
"Sharqiya" is the first Israeli film to deal with the dire situation of the country's Bedouins. At the film's international premiere at the Berlinale Film Festival in Germany, Igal Avidan spoke to screenwriter Guy Ofran, director Ami Livne and lead actor Adnan Abu Wadi
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Art and Resistance in SyriaCreative Awakening
In Syria, a diverse cultural protest movement is rebelling against the Assad regime in a way that is both subtle and open. Charlotte Bank reports
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The Tunisian Protest Singer Emel Mathlouthi''We Are Prepared to Return to the Streets''
The young Tunisian singer Emel Mathlouthi left her mark on the Tunisian revolution with her song "Kelmti Horra" (My Word Is Free). Martina Sabra met with the politically engaged artist in Cologne, Germany
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Youssef Ziedan's Novel ''Azazeel''In Case of Doubt, Choose Doubt
Youssef Ziedan's "Azazeel" was awarded the renowned Arab Booker Prize in 2009. Our reviewer Andreas Pflitsch says that this historical novel is a plea against religiously motivated violence
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Third Karachi Literature FestivalLong on Talent, Short on Time
Despite ongoing political difficulties in Pakistan, a thrilling but all-too-brief literature festival took place on 11 and 12 February in the nation's largest metropolis. Impressions from Karachi by Stefan Weidner
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Mai Iskander about Her Film ''Words of Witness''Portraying the Shift in the Egyptian People's Psyche
Mai Iskander's documentary "Words of Witness" provides a dense picture of the social and political upheaval in Egypt and the struggle for a new order. Igal Avidan spoke to the multi-award-winning Egyptian-American documentary filmmaker after the film's premiere in Berlin
750th anniversary of Rumi's death
750th anniversary of Rumi's death - Qantara.de
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