Misagh Joolaee's "Ferne"
Expanding the horizons of the kamancheh
Elias Khoury in interview
Beirut's ruling class – "The stupidest mafia there is"
The West and the Middle East
Casting a long shadow – Napoleon's intervention in Egypt
Beirut in crisis
Can things get any worse for the people of Lebanon?

Album review: Misagh Joolaee's "Ferne"

Expanding the horizons of the kamancheh

German-Iranian Misagh Joolaee was recently recognised for widening the scope of playing the Persian spiked fiddle with the German Record Critics’ Award. Mariam Brehmer listened to his new albumRead more

Portrait of Iranian musician Kayhan Kalhor: Cultural emissary and grand master of the kamanchehThe Silk Road Ensemble: "The Music of Strangers": A quest for perfect harmonyAlbum review: "Dawar" by Trio Chemirani: A brilliant kaleidoscope of textures

Lebanese author Elias Khoury in interview

Beirut's ruling class – "The stupidest mafia there is"

Fifty percent of Lebanese already live below the poverty line – and there is no end in sight. In interview with Lena Bopp, writer Elias Khoury talks about the crisis and about the state of culture in his home countryRead more

Beirut residents awake to scenes of devastation after deadly port explosionBeirut on the brink: Regardless of corona, Lebanon is at economic breaking pointNovelist and critic Elias Khoury: The nightmare of reality

The West and the Middle East

Casting a long shadow – Napoleon's intervention in Egypt

Napoleon Bonaparte’s 1798 invasion of Egypt represented the first modern attempt to incorporate an Islamic society into the European fold. Although the expedition was a military fiasco, it left a lasting legacy in the region. By Alexander MikaberidzeRead more

Essay by Adania Shibli: Recalling Edward Said's thought today100 years of Sykes-Picot: "A tapestry of plans and promises"The longest duel: Iran and the USA square off

Beirut in crisis

Can things get any worse for the people of Lebanon?

In Lebanon the economy is going downhill at an ever faster rate. The Lebanese are fighting the dramatic effects of the crisis with barter exchanges and joint projects. Apart from that, all they have left is black humour to endure the situation. Tom Allinson reports from BeirutRead more

Lebanese author Elias Khoury in interview: Beirut's ruling class – "The stupidest mafia there is"Social inequality in the Arab world: There is no state in LebanonA toxic combination of sectarianism and rentierism: Lebanon's perfect storm

Politics

Lebanese writer and critic Elias Khoury (photo: picture-alliance/AP Photo/B. Hussein)

Lebanese author Elias Khoury in interview

Beirut's ruling class – "The stupidest mafia there is"

Fifty percent of Lebanese already live below the poverty line – and there is no end in sight. In interview with Lena Bopp, writer Elias Khoury talks about the crisis and about the state of culture in his home countryMore

Beirut residents awake to scenes of devastation after deadly port explosionBeirut on the brink: Regardless of corona, Lebanon is at economic breaking pointNovelist and critic Elias Khoury: The nightmare of reality
"Bonaparte before the Sphinx" by Jean-Leon Gerome, 1824 -1904 (source: Wikimedia Commons, Public Domain)

The West and the Middle East

Casting a long shadow – Napoleon's intervention in Egypt

Napoleon Bonaparte’s 1798 invasion of Egypt represented the first modern attempt to incorporate an Islamic society into the European fold. Although the expedition was a military fiasco, it left a lasting legacy in the region. By Alexander MikaberidzeMore

Essay by Adania Shibli: Recalling Edward Said's thought today100 years of Sykes-Picot: "A tapestry of plans and promises"The longest duel: Iran and the USA square off
Chinese president Xi Jinping and U.S. president Donald Trump at G20 summit in Argentina, December 2018 (photo: picture-alliance/dpa/Maxppp)

Uighur repression in China

Donald Trump, the obstacle to Washington's Uighur policy

A broad U.S.-led effort to hold the Chinese government to international account for its abuses of largely Muslim Uighurs in Xinjiang would, at the very least, remind China that the world is watching. Sadly, President Donald Trump’s actions will likely convince Muslims only of the depths of his hypocrisy. By Anne-Marie Slaughter and Wardah KhalidMore

Interviewing Dolkun Isa, Bethany Allen-Ebrahimian and Asiye Abdulaheb: Does no-one have the guts to tackle China on the Uighurs?Interview with sinologist Kristin Shi-Kupfer: "The aim is to rob the Uighurs of their identity"Uighur repression in China: Beards and hijabs behind bars
Josep Borrell (photo: Reuters/V. Kessler)

Fifth anniversary of the JCPOA

Saving the Iran nuclear deal

Five years after the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action was concluded, it is on life support, following the US's reinstatement of sanctions and Iran's return to enrichment activities. Before two decades of diplomacy are squandered, all parties involved must step back from the precipice, says Josep Borrell, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security PolicyMore

First INSTEX transaction with Iran: Trade as an obstacle courseE3, Russia and China: Solving the nuclear deal stalemate with IranRescuing the nuclear deal with Iran: Europe should negotiate without the US
more Politics »

Society

Destroyed silo following explosion in Beirut port, 04.08.2020 (photo: Getty Images/AFP/STR)

Beirut in crisis

Can things get any worse for the people of Lebanon?

In Lebanon the economy is going downhill at an ever faster rate. The Lebanese are fighting the dramatic effects of the crisis with barter exchanges and joint projects. Apart from that, all they have left is black humour to endure the situation. Tom Allinson reports from BeirutMore

Lebanese author Elias Khoury in interview: Beirut's ruling class – "The stupidest mafia there is"Social inequality in the Arab world: There is no state in LebanonA toxic combination of sectarianism and rentierism: Lebanon's perfect storm
Christian Mihr, director of Reporters Without Borders Germany (photo: Reporter Ohne Grenzen/Schler)

Press freedom in Turkey

President Erdogan tightens the noose around social media

By massively regulating social media platforms, President Erdogan is trying to silence the remaining critical voices in Turkey, says Christian Mihr of the organisation Reporters Without Borders in his commentaryMore

Coronavirus and press freedom in Turkey: Erdogan's crusade against "all media and political viruses"Violence against journalists increasing: Press freedom under fire in TurkeyTop press rights defender in Turkey court for 'terror propaganda'
A homemade sign changes the name of the Berlin underground station "Mohrenstrasse" to "George-Floyd-Strasse" (photo: picture-alliance/dpa/K. Nietfeld)

Debate about racism

Germany is not the anti-racist model the U.S. is looking for

Germany is often lauded for its atonement for its Nazi past. Yet the country upheld the structures that allowed – and allow – racism to flourish and Germanness to be intertwined with whiteness, writes Ursula MoffittMore

Mesut Ozil and #MeTwo: When are you German enough?Racist terror in Germany: ʺNever againʺ? Let’s hope so!Black Lives Matter in Egypt: The controversy surrounding racism – are Arabs racist?Photo gallery: Young 'Black Lives Matter' demonstrators: "Enough is enough"
Manacles (photo: picture-alliance/dpa/B. Pedersen)

Muslim racism and imperialism

Power and exclusion

The outpouring of solidarity worldwide following the violent death of George Floyd should prompt us to step back and fundamentally question racist structures and privileges based on injustice – wherever they exist in the world. An essay by Tayfun GuttstadtMore

Black Lives Matter in Egypt: The controversy surrounding racism – are Arabs racist?Human rights and civil society in North Africa: Tunisia joins George Floyd protests to say "no" to racismInterview with Mauritanian human rights activist Biram Dah Abeid: "Time to end Arab racism"
more Society »

Culture

Kamancheh virtuoso Misagh Joolaee (source: YouTube)

Album review: Misagh Joolaee's "Ferne"

Expanding the horizons of the kamancheh

German-Iranian Misagh Joolaee was recently recognised for widening the scope of playing the Persian spiked fiddle with the German Record Critics’ Award. Mariam Brehmer listened to his new albumMore

Portrait of Iranian musician Kayhan Kalhor: Cultural emissary and grand master of the kamanchehThe Silk Road Ensemble: "The Music of Strangers": A quest for perfect harmonyAlbum review: "Dawar" by Trio Chemirani: A brilliant kaleidoscope of textures
Mohammed Dib (photo: Wikipedia)

Remembering Mohammed Dib

The grand seigneur of French-language Algerian literature

21 July marks the centenary of the birth of Mohammed Dib, one of the founding fathers of French-language Algerian literature. Born in 1920 in Tlemcen, Algeria's national writer spent the greater part of his life in exile. He passed away on 2 May 2003 in the Parisian suburb of La Celle-Saint-Cloud. By Regina Keil-SagaweMore

Book review: Alice Zeniter's "L'Art de perdre": Rediscovering a lost chapter of (family) historyThe Algerian writer Kamel Daoud: Who is the Arab man?Obituary: the Algerian writer Malek Alloula – A prophet unaccepted in his own countryObituary: the Algerian author Assia Djebar – Trailblazer for her country, her gender and her continentLiterature and collective trauma in Algeria: Moving beyond the examination of history
Iranian writer Amir Hassan Cheheltan (photo: picture-alliance/dpa/W. Kumm)

Book review: Amir Hassan Cheheltan's "Der Zirkel der Literaturliebhaber"

A literary cocoon

For decades, lovers of literature would gather at the house of writer Amir Hassan Cheheltan's family to debate classical Persian works – until politics forced its way into the readers' cocoon. By Gerrit WustmannMore

Interview with Iranian author Amir Hassan Cheheltan: "Literature is based on politics and eroticism"Amir Hassan Cheheltan's ''Tehran, Skyless City''; Reflecting the dark side of Iran's capitalIran and its authors: The perils of writing
Groupe RTD (photo: Janto Djassi)

Album review: Groupe RTD's "The Dancing Devils of Djibouti"

Foot-tapping fusion

Blending East African, Bollywood and Arab music traditions, Groupe RTD's "The Dancing Devils of Djibouti" is not only a stunning album, it is also the first internationally-released recording of music from this small and isolated country. By Richard MarcusMore

Album review: "Sweet as broken dates"Album review: "Mummer Love"Album review: "Two Niles to Sing a Melody"Photo gallery: Taking the train from Addis Ababa to DjiboutiPhoto gallery: Yemeni refugees – destination Djibouti
more Culture »

In brief

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Most Recent Photo Essay

Panic in Beirut: two immense blasts shook Beirut and the surrounding areas of the Lebanese capital, prompting panic as residents rushed to safety. "I have never in my life seen a disaster this big," Beirut's governor told local TV

Beirut blast aftermath: destruction, chaos and rescue

A powerful explosion rocked the Lebanese capital of Beirut, killing at least 100 people and injuring thousands more. Hospitals quickly filled beyond capacity and there have been appeals for people to give blood. By Darko Janjevic

The Quint: Kashmir – one year on

5 August 2019 – the day of the abrogation of Articles 370 and 35A of the Indian constitution that granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir. One year on, we take a look at the lives of Kashmiris who have lived through almost a year-long lockdown.More

Afghanistan: Women's eloquence

Afghanistan: Women's Eloquence I Screenshot ARTE Documentary

In the most dangerous city in Afghanistan Abdul Wadood Pedram, president of the Human Rights and Eradication of Violence Organization (HREVO), has set up a rhetoric competition for women, a radical move in a highly traditional society.More

Museum, church or mosque? The Hagia Sophia in Istanbul

Architectural milestone: in 532, Roman Emperor Justinian ordered the construction of an awe-inspiring church in his residence Constantinople – "one that has never existed since Adam's time, and one that will never exist again". Roughly 10,000 workers were involved in the construction work. For a millennium, the Bosphorus basilica remained Christendom’s biggest church

Museum, church or mosque? The Hagia Sophia in Istanbul

The Hagia Sophia, with its massive dome and four minarets, is nearly 1,500 years old. Turkey's top court has now paved the way for the museum to be converted back into a mosque. By Klaus Dahmann

Dispute about the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam

For several years, the governments of Ethiopia, Sudan and Egypt have been engaged in ongoing negotiations about the building of a massive hydroelectric dam on the Blue Nile in Ethiopia. Egypt, which relies heavily on the Nile as a source of freshwater, fears that the dam could reduce the amount of water flowing downstream. Sudan could benefit from cheap electricity generated by the dam and reduced flooding, but is concerned about the impact on its own dams. Now Ethiopia has started filling the reservoir behind the dam.More

The first colour photos of the Middle East

A Palestinian herdsman at the end of the nineteenth century

These images of Middle Eastern cities, towns and attractions were taken during the 1890s. Colour was added manually to the black and white negatives using the Photochrom technique pioneered by Photoglob Zurich AG.More

The United Arab Emirates' rise to a regional power

Cover of Guido Steinberg's research paper on the UAE (source: SWP)

In his recently published research paper on the UAE, Dr Guido Steinberg asserts that the rise of the UAE to a regional power has made the country a more im­portant and simultaneously a more problematic policy partner for Germany and Europe. Steinberg is Senior Associate in the Middle East and Africa Division at the German Institute for International and Security Affairs (SWP)More

Saving Egypt's Jewish heritage

Two Egyptian women have come together to save the country's lost Jewish heritage. Magda, who is Jewish and Marwa, who is Palestinian and Muslim, meet weekly to clean, rescue and repair books, synagogues and cemeteries.More

UK government policy has left Muslim students feeling unable to speak up on campus...

Universities can take an active role, however, in helping to build peaceful relations on campus, and beyond, by challenging prejudice and empowering Muslim and all marginal voices.More