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Formula 1 in Saudi Arabia
Grand Prix of double standards
The Saudi Arabian Grand Prix raises questions as to how seriously Formula 1 really takes its commitment to respecting human rights. The criticism might be loud, but the financial incentives are irresistible. By Andreas Sten-Ziemons
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Nobel laureate Abdulrazak Gurnah
Exile, migration and the art of writing
The Tanzanian-born Nobel Prize winner talks to Annabelle Steffes-Halmer about his decision to leave Zanzibar, to write in English – and about the rise of African writers in the post-colonial era
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Afghanistan documentary "Melting Dreams"
A tale of Afghan-European failure
Haidy Kancler’s documentary "Melting Dreams" celebrated its world premiere at the Thessaloniki Film Festival in February 2022. The film follows the fortunes of three young female skiers from Afghanistan who travel to Europe for professional training. Their hopes are running high, but the trip ends in disaster. Rene Wildangel reports for Qantara.de
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Muslims in the West
Can democracy tolerate Muslims at all?
"Muslimaniac" is what political scientist Ozan Zakariya Keskinkilic calls Western society's invention of Muslims as a problem: a shimmering term that mixes social construction and obsession with the passionate, ironic spirit of breaking free from stereotypes. Brilliantly and bitingly, he writes about consistent alienation and paves the way towards rapprochement. Interview by Schayan Riaz
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Ukraine conflict
Will Arab oil save the world from soaring prices?
Sanctions on Russia won't work unless the world reduces its use of Russian oil and gas. But it's difficult to do this without also increasing prices. Middle Eastern oil producers could help. But do they want to? Cathrin Schaer reports
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War in Ukraine and the West
Putin's fight and our illusions
Faced with Russia's war against Ukraine, "the West" is once again getting tangled up in its own propaganda, invoking the threat of a clash of civilisations when it comes to the question as to which side Ukraine belongs. An essay by Stefan Weidner
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War in Ukraine
What does defending Europe mean?
Europe's double standard on refugees, exposed yet again by the war in Ukraine, is morally deaf and geopolitically dumb. Europe can only defend itself by persuading developing and emerging countries – many scarred by Western colonisation and exploitation – that it offers them better choices than Russia or China can. Commentary by Slavoj Zizek
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Ukraine war
The deep desire to declare a state of emergency
Russia's attack on Ukraine took Germany by surprise. The "end of an era" has shifted the political focus to the military, bringing back stale memories of the Western response to the attacks of 9/11. Essay by Stefan Buchen
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Russia's interventions in Ukraine and Syria
What drives Putin is evident from Syria
Anyone wishing to know how far Putin will go in Ukraine should look to Syria. There, the Kremlin has been successfully asserting its own interests for years – with military ruthlessness, diplomatic pressure, brazen propaganda and tactical agility. Commentary by Kristin Helberg
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War in Ukraine
Iran's conflict of interests
On the one hand, the Islamic rulers of Iran are sitting around the same table with the West to solve the nuclear conflict. On the other, their political ally Russia is at war with a European country – in direct contravention of United Nations articles. By Nasrin Bassiri
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Ukraine conflict
Turkey and Israel eye co-operation in Central Asia
As Russia advances across the Ukraine, the geopolitical cards are being reshuffled in the Middle East. On the agenda is closer economic and security cooperation between Israel and the Turkic countries. James M. Dorsey reports
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Aegean tensions on the rise
Erdogan's "charm offensive" doesn't include Greece
It seems yesterday's words are water under the bridge. Turkish foreign policy is currently undergoing a profound re-orientation: declared enemies are to become partners, opponents allies. But not when it comes to Greece. By Ronald Meinardus