Politics
Topics
-
Iran's 2021 presidential electionsIran's elite politicians ignore the burning social issues
Despite promises to the contrary, the social and economic situation in Iran deteriorated under President Rouhani, prompting two nationwide revolts in recent years. Yet the social question continues to be neglected by all factions of the elite. Meanwhile the country urgently needs social reform. By Ali Fathollah-Nejad and Arash Sarkohi
-
Loyalty and legitimacy in SyriaBashar al-Assad's staging of the presidential election
By stage-managing his re-election in a poll widely dismissed as a farce, Syria's President Bashar al-Assad has killed two birds with one stone: he has forced his compatriots to demonstrate their loyalty and submission and will use the outcome to get money from abroad. He needs both to stay in power. By Kristin Helberg
-
France24: Israel's ongoing parliamentary sagaDreams of the father guide Yair Lapid, next Israeli PM?
Yair Lapid, like his late father, is a journalist-turned-politician renowned for his staunchly secular positions. But as the centrist politician edges towards the Israeli premiership post, he's stepped out of his father’s shadow.
-
Middle East conflictChina fears instability in the Middle East
China has long portrayed itself as a strong supporter of the Palestinian cause. It has also claimed that in sharp contrast to the stance of the USA, its position is based on values. At the same time, it has been building closer political, economic and military links with Israel for years. Mu Cui examines how important the Middle East is to China
-
Interview with Mustafa BarghoutiPalestinians rediscover their sense of unity
Mustafa Barghouthi, Palestinian politician and secretary-general of the Palestinian National Initiative party is a key voice of the secular liberal left in Palestinian politics. Following the Israeli-Hamas ceasefire, he gives his view of events in Israel and the Occupied Territories in recent days and his hopes for German and European foreign policy going forward. Interview by Jannis Hagmann
-
Escalation in the Middle EastIsraeli-Hamas hostilities: same old story, or is it?
A young generation is rising up in the Middle East, fed up with the old politics. They are no longer interested in a two-state solution or territory, but in equal civil rights in an Israeli state, writes Karim El-Gawhary in his commentary
-
Middle East conflictGaza and Israeli residents struggle through a new reality
Hostilities broke out between Hamas and Israel less than a week ago. But a swift escalation has left civilians on both sides trying to come to terms with the maddening unpredictability. Tania Kraemer reports from Israel
-
Escalation in the Middle EastFlare-up between Israel and Hamas paints a bleak picture
A local row triggered by ultra-right wing Jewish settlers trying to secure the forced expulsion of Palestinian families in East Jerusalem has re-ignited hostilities in the Middle East. As the bombs and rockets fall on Gaza and Israel once again, there is seems little prospect of a swift end to the clashes. By Inge Gunther
-
Power politics in IranFallout from Mohammed Javad Zarif's political bombshell
An interview by Foreign Minister Mohammed Javad Zarif has provoked outrage in Iran. In it, Zarif criticised the Revolutionary Guards' destructive role in both the nuclear agreement and the Syrian war. Ali Sadrzadeh has the details
-
Religious persecution in PakistanViolence increasing against the beleaguered Ahmadiyya community
Pakistan's anti-Ahmadi laws have been in place for almost 40 years now, and the impact on this religious minority has been devastating. In a war of attrition, the laws have ground down the Ahmadi community, scarring an entire generation. Fear, flight and persecution are the hallmarks of life for the Ahmadiyya in Pakistan. According to Mohammad Luqman, there is little hope of improvement
-
Repercussions of 9/11The West and the Islamic world – mutually radicalised?
In his book "Ground Zero: 9/11 und die Geburt der Gegenwart" (Ground Zero: 9/11 and the Birth of the Present) Islamic scholar Stefan Weidner analyses the consequences of the attacks on the USA in September 2001. Kersten Knipp spoke with him about failures – as well as opportunities – in the West-East dialogue
-
Joseph Croitoru's "Al-Aqsa oder Tempelberg"Zeroing in on the Middle East conflict
In his latest book – "Al Aqsa oder Tempelberg " – historian Joseph Croitoru traces the struggle for Jerusalem's most holy sites, warning that a storm is brewing in the Temple Mount conflict. Daniel Bax read the book for Qantara.de
Most read articles
-
Palestinian critique of Hamas
Reclaiming the narrative of resistance
-
Sex tourism in Egypt
A bride for the summer
-
Turkey
"Red Buds" – a TV series divides the country
-
Turkey's Gülen movement
The promise of Islamic moral governance
-
Let's talk about sex, habibi!
Love and desire from Cairo to Casablanca
-
Prostitution in the Islamic Republic of Iran
Open-minded, loving... and desperate