Europe
All countries-
War in Syria
The horror of Idlib
The recent escalation of violence in Idlib is also a result of the increasing tensions between Turkey and Russia. The victims are those in Idlib, caught up in a hopeless situation amid a huge spectrum of differing interests. By Bente Scheller
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E3, Russia and China
Solving the nuclear deal stalemate with Iran
The 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action with Iran is in jeopardy. European governments should use the JCPOA’s dispute-resolution mechanism both to pursue immediate measures to de-escalate regional tensions and to explore a follow-up agreement – or an alternative, should the current deal collapse. By Volker Perthes
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Human rights in the Islamic world
Battle cry "blasphemy"
Many predominantly Muslim countries have penal laws against "blasphemy", "defamation of religion" and "apostasy". In practice they serve as highly effective weapons to settle personal animosities, family vendettas and land disputes. By Thomas Krapf
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Portrait of Iranian musician Kayhan Kalhor
Cultural emissary and grand master of the kamancheh
These days you might be forgiven for wondering whether international relations would be better served by artists than politicians. Iranian Kayhan Kalhor, a bridge builder from the world of music, holds both the 2019 WOMEX Artist Award and the 2018 Isaak Stern Human Spirit Award. By Bernd G. Schmitz
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USA, Israel and the Palestinians
Trump's sham attempt at peace
As we digest the details of Donald Trump's Vision for Peace, we need to ask ourselves just one question: does this draft guarantee an Israeli and a Palestinian baby born today equal civil rights, freedom of travel and a self-determined life in security and dignity twenty years from now? By Inge Gunther
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Interview with Middle East expert Lara Friedman
"A kosher stamp for Israel to retain control over the West Bank"
As expected the Trump administration released its Israeli-Palestinian peace blueprint on Tuesday, a plan that ignores the Palestinians at the expense of lasting peace. Middle East expert Lara Friedman spoke to Wesley Rahn
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Interview with Iraqi author Sinan Antoon
The West and its cliched view of Iraq
Looking outwards with the knowledge from within: a conversation with the Iraqi writer Sinan Antoon on the future of his homeland. Interview by Lena Bopp
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Egyptian foreign policy and the Libyan crisis
Time to restore Egypt's pivotal role in Libya
Political analyst Taqadum al-Khatib argues that Egypt can, in co-ordination with its European partners, develop a common vision to solve the complex conflict in Libya. For this to happen, however, Egypt must disengage its foreign policy from that of the UAE and Saudi Arabia
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Interview with Quranet founder Ofer Grosbard
Parenting according to the Koran
At the suggestion of his Arab students, Israeli psychologist Ofer Grosbard created the project "Quranet", which uses texts from the Koran to solve educational problems in schools and families. More than ten years after its inception, the project is now attracting attention in the Arab world. Interview by Claudia Mende
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Standing at the gate
How Libyans see Europe
Libyans have mixed feelings about the EU. On the one hand, they admire what Europeans have achieved, but on the other, they feel let down. Moutaz and Walid Ali report from Tripoli
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The Istanbul Canal project
Erdogan's dream, Istanbul's nightmare
Turkey's President Erdogan wants to create a second Bosphorus. The cost to the economy and environment would be enormous – and that's why Istanbul's mayor is attempting to stop the plan. A bitter power struggle is raging. By Daniel Derya Bellut
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Libyan Civil War
EU divisions over Libya leave a gap for others
Libya is in turmoil and no political solution is in sight. The EU's inability to take concerted action in the country, meanwhile, is being exploited by third parties, such as Turkey.