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International Day in support of victims of torture
"The international human rights system is slowly eroding"
From Syrian war crimes to U.S. hypocrisy in the Julian Assange case, the global "erosion of human rights standards" is of critical concern, UN Special Rapporteur on Torture Nils Melzer tells Matthias von Hein
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War crimes on the Hindu Kush?
Death by drone – the United States' vicious Afghan legacy
The United States carried out more drone attacks on Afghanistan in 2019 than in any other year since Pentagon records began in 2006. The victims of this questionable military tactic, portrayed as precision strikes to kill alleged militants, are frequently innocent civilians, yet no one seems to care. Emran Feroz reports
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Syria and Iraq
Islamic State seeking to profit from coronavirus pandemic
From advisories against travel to calls for a new jihad, Islamic State sees the COVID-19 pandemic as an opportunity to exploit. The militants, however, are no more immune to the virus than anyone else. By Lewis Sanders IV & Tom Allinson
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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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Interview with democracy activist Iyad el–Baghdadi
Jeff Bezos, blackmail and MbS
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is accused of being behind the hacking of Amazon boss Jeff Bezos' smartphone. Diana Hodali talked to democracy activist Iyad el–Baghdadi, who cooperated with Jeff Bezos' security team, about the background to the attack
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An Arab reading of the Palestinian artist Mona Hatoum
Tea with the bogeyman
Contemporary artist Mona Hatoum is one of those figures whose presence in western capitals stimulates much attention and critical writing, while her exhibitions in Arab cities like Amman or Doha don’t seem to generate more than a few lines in the culture and entertainment sections. Yazan Loujami explores why this is so
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British-Bahraini trumpeter Yazz Ahmed
Diving for pearls
Yazz Ahmed is one of the most exciting personalities on the lively London jazz scene. Her complex musical suites combine the traditions of her Bahraini roots and jazz improvisation. On her new album, she honours outstanding women, including those from the Muslim culture. By Stefan Franzen
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The inhumanity of Bosniaʹs Vucjak refugee camp
Within eyeshot of the Bosnian-Croatian border, thousands of refugees are camping in squalor on a former garbage site. Their supplies are scarce. Photographer Dirk Planert was among them
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Europe's policies in the Middle East
Late-colonial convulsions
The UK has stopped an Iranian tanker in Gibraltar. Italy and France are supporting opposing parties at war in Libya. Germany has other priorities. Europe is doing almost exactly what it did 100 years ago. An essay by Stefan Buchen
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Album review: Reem Kelaniʹs "Why Do I Love Her?"
Sweet discomfort
As a prelude to the album she's currently working on, "This Land is Your Land", Reem Kelani has just released the four track EP "Why Do I Love Her" – recorded live at the Tabernacle in London. By Richard Marcus
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Interview with the UKʹs Lead Commissioner for Countering Extremism Sara Khan
"Weʹre living through an era of extremism"
In a bid for more dialogue, Sara Khan, UKʹs Lead Commissioner for Countering Extremism, calls on individuals to challenge extremism and on countries to ensure they defend and promote equality, human rights, pluralism and diversity. Interview by Ismail Nermin
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Syrian chef in London brings relief to refugees
Imad Alarnab was a star chef in Syria until he had to flee the war-stricken country. Now based in London, heʹs introduced locals to Syrian food, using the profits to help people back home. Marianna Karakoulaki reports