Politics

Is it India? Is it Bharat?

Modi government pushes for Sanskrit name

It began with a dinner invitation. How it ends could affect more than a billion people. State-issued invites sent to guests of this week's G20 meeting referred to India's president, Droupadi Murmu, as "President of Bharat". Is the country of more than 1.4 billion now to be called by its ancient Sanskrit name?
By Sheikh Saaliq
Repression in Sisi's Egypt

Activists targeted in presidential election run-up

Egypt's clampdown on political dissent increasingly includes family members of activists living abroad. The Sisi regime has also admitted to leveraging the release of individual political prisoners for financial aid. Jennifer Holleis reports
By Jennifer Holleis
Turkey's 2024 local elections

How to win against Erdogan's AKP?

While Turkey's opposition has been in deadlock since losing the elections, many of its supporters are suffering from post-election stress. As Recep Tayyip Erdogan and the ruling AKP turn their attentions to the 2024 local elections, their rivals remain preoccupied with infighting. Ayse Karabat reports from Istanbul
By Ayşe Karabat
Transnational repression

Why a friendlier Middle East is more dangerous for activists

Authoritarian governments often harass and hinder their critics, even if those people are outside the country. As former enemies become friends in the Middle East, will they cooperate to shut down opposition voices? By Cathrin Schaer
By Cathrin Schaer
Turkey's realpolitik in the Gulf

Dropping long-held convictions to seek deeper ties

Recep Tayyip Erdogan's visit to the Gulf states in July was his most productive so far, signing defence cooperation and other deals worth billions of dollars. But is a strategic partnership really possible while Turkey and the UAE continue to back conflicting sides in various regional crises? By Leyla Egeli
By Leyla Egeli
Taliban Afghanistan 2 years on

Report from a forgotten land

15 August 2023 marked the second anniversary of the Taliban's return to Afghanistan. Emran Feroz recently travelled through the country – here is his exclusive report for Qantara.de on everyday life in Kabul
By Emran Feroz
Benjamin Netanyahu's judicial reforms

Israeli government and the Supreme Court at loggerheads

Benjamin Netanyahu's government is set on curtailing the powers of the judiciary. But the judges will not give up without a fight. What happens next will determine just how endangered Israel's democratic system really is. By Joseph Croitoru
By Joseph Croitoru
Morocco

Mohammed VI turns 60: Diplomacy a priority as inequalities persist

Morocco's King Mohammed VI is set to celebrate his 60th birthday on 21 August away from the public eye, as challenges abound almost a quarter century after he ascended the throne
Sweden Koran burnings

Playing to the radicals

As Sweden grapples with the diplomatic fallout of a series of Koran burnings, radicals on all sides are rubbing their hands and exploiting the moment. Birgit Svensson travelled from Baghdad to Stockholm to get the full picture
By Birgit Svensson
Taliban Afghanistan's double whammy

Afghans face a failing economy and high taxation

Almost two years after the Taliban swept to power, other international crises have distracted attention away from Afghans' suffering amid the country's dire socioeconomic conditions. Looking ahead, Hameed Hakimi asks what are the economic prospects for Afghanistan under the Taliban?
By Hameed Hakimi
Books on the Iran protests

Fighting for freedom in the "mullah state"

Women are the main drivers behind the new revolutionary movement in Iran. Four female authors offer inside views and moving snapshots from a variety of perspectives. Review by Rene Wildangel
By René Wildangel
Ukraine conference in Saudi Arabia

Diplomatic success for the Crown Prince

A meeting in Saudi Arabia about a war in Europe? The conference in Jeddah shows how much the world is changing. Analysis by Karim El-Gawhary from Cairo
By Karim El-Gawhary