Most recent articles by Karim El-Gawhary
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Criticism of the Media in the Case of SyriaThe Perversion of the Media Machine
Western media attention is only refocused on protracted conflicts in the Arab world – such as those in Iraq and Syria – when their own correspondents fall victim to these wars. Commentary by Karim El-Gawhary
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Court Rulings in Egypt's Soccer Stadium RiotsThe Underhand Role of the Police
A year after the bloody clashes at Port Said's soccer stadium, people in the harbour town are horrified at the Draconian punishments that have been handed down to individuals who continue to deny any involvement in the riots. Karim El-Gawhary reports from Port Said
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Egypt Two Years after the RevolutionNo Agenda, No Goal
Egypt remains gripped in political turmoil and despite apparent efforts by President Morsi to initiate dialogue with his opponents, it appears neither he nor his rivals are able to come up with a concept to lead the nation out of its ongoing crisis. An analysis by Karim El-Gawhary
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Constitutional Referendum in EgyptThe Islamists' Pyrrhic Victory
Although a slim majority of votes cast in Saturday's first round support the new constitution, the Islamists have little reason to celebrate: only 18 percent of the electorate voted for the blueprint, as the Muslim Brotherhood's popularity continues on its downward trajectory. Commentary by Karim El-Gawhary
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The Gaza Conflict in the Wake of the Arab SpringThe Regional Powers' New Confidence
Egypt and Turkey, two regional powers in the Middle East, are getting actively involved in the Gaza conflict. Not only have they condemned Israel's attacks on Gaza, they are also looking for a long-term ceasefire solution. This is creating a new regional diplomacy and reconfiguring the relationship between the region and Europe and the USA, writes Karim El-Gawhary
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Assassination of Lebanese Intelligence Chief al-HassanLebanon in Syrian Captivity
After the assassination of Wissam al-Hassan, the head of intelligence of Lebanon's internal security forces, everything in Beirut points to an impending storm. Fears of a new civil war are rife. By Karim El-Gawhary
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Protests against Mohammed film in the Arab WorldAdding Grist to the Salafists' Mill
This is the latest episode of an ongoing saga that sees both western Islamophobes and Arab Salafists upping the ante. It began with a film produced in the US and viewed as a provocation by Muslims, and ended provisionally with four dead at the US consulate in Benghazi. Details from Karim El-Gawhary in Cairo
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The Supreme Military Council in Egypt Loses Its PowerThe Old Guard Steps Down
The political disempowerment of the supreme military leadership in Egypt must be the most important event since the fall of the former president, Hosni Mubarak. For the first time in the recent history of the country, a civilian president has issued a ruling which publicly confronts the military. By Karim El-Gawhary
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Egypt after the Presidential ElectionThe Military Hands over Power ... to Itself
For most people in Egypt, it was at best unlikely that the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces would ever voluntarily cede power to a civilian president after the election. Nevertheless, few would have predicted the latest twist in the plot of Egypt's ongoing electoral drama. A commentary by Karim El-Gawhary
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The Syrian Dissident Walid al-Bunni''In a Revolution You Don't Have Much Time''
Walid al-Bunni is a prominent Syrian human rights activist and opponent of the Assad regime. In the light of the civil war going on in his homeland he calls for foreign intervention – and says the Syrian opposition must now reposition itself. Karim El-Gawhary met him in Cairo
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Start of the Trial against NGO Staff in EgyptIndignation instead of Evidence
Hardly begun and already adjourned: The accused foreigners in the case against the german Konrad Adenauer Foundation didn't even attend the trial in Cairo. By Karim El-Gawhary
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One Year after the Revolt against GaddafiStill Firing in the Air
Life in Libya is currently determined by a confused mix of impenetrable power struggles, rebel chaos and unpaid debts of honour: Karim el-Gawhary has been in Tripoli