Elhanan Miller on interfaith dialogue
"People of the Book" brings Jews and Muslims together
U.S.-Turkey relations in 2021
Biden and Erdogan – how much carrot, how much stick?
Arrest of EIPR human rights activists in Egypt
My friend Gasser Abdel Razek, the "terrorist"
Exclusive – Germany's universal jurisdiction
The chances of indicting Syria's Assad for war crimes

Rabbi Elhanan Miller on interfaith dialogue

"People of the Book" brings Jews and Muslims together

Conceived by Israeli journalist and rabbi Elhanan Miller, "People of the Book" is a YouTube project designed to provide information on Judaism in Arabic. Disarming prejudice with humour, Miller's cartoons aim to promote mutual understanding between Jews and Arabs. Interview by Claudia MendeRead more

Abrahamic Teams in the MENA: Interfaith dialogue – a painstaking processAnti-Semitism: There is no tradition of anti-Semitism in IslamThe Islamic Republicʹs Jewish minority: Celebrating Sabbath in Iran

U.S.-Turkey relations in 2021

Biden and Erdogan – how much carrot, how much stick?

Initial statements by the Biden administration indicate it will follow a carrot and stick policy towards Turkey. Ankara believes its role in negotiations on various issues could strengthen its hand when it comes to ties with the new man in the White House. Ayse Karabat reports from IstanbulRead more

U.S. policy on the Middle East: The imperial reflexTurkey′s Syrian offensive: A war of America′s makingMask diplomacy and power politics: Erdogan's foreign policy in the shadow of coronavirus

Arrest of EIPR human rights activists in Egypt

My friend Gasser Abdel Razek, the "terrorist"

In Egypt, several human rights activists working for the EIPR – Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights – were arrested recently following a meeting with EU ambassadors. One of them is Gasser Abdel Razek, a long-time friend of Middle East correspondent Karim El-Gawhary. In this highly personal report, El-Gawhary writes about his friend’s detentionRead more

Unrest in the Arab world: The genie is out of the bottleArab response to Trump's Jerusalem decision: Walking a fine linePortrait of the Egyptian Lawyer Gamal Eid: ''Revolutions aren't led by polite people''

Exclusive – Germany's universal jurisdiction

The chances of indicting Syria's Assad for war crimes

Investigations by German federal prosecutors into the evidence of chemical warfare in Syria are ongoing. Deutsche Welle and Der Spiegel gained exclusive access to witnesses and documents that form part of the landmark inquiry. By Lewis Sanders IV, Birgitta Schulke-Gill & Julia BayerRead more

Charges against Bashar al-Assad: His turn will comeRiad Seif’s testimony at the Syrian torture trial in Germany: A Syrian opposition legend speaks outAssad's crimes against his own people: Syrian ex-secret police stand trial in Germany

Politics

Gasser Abdel Razek is a prominent human rights activist and director of EIPR human rights organisation in Egypt (photo: private)

Arrest of EIPR human rights activists in Egypt

My friend Gasser Abdel Razek, the "terrorist"

In Egypt, several human rights activists working for the EIPR – Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights – were arrested recently following a meeting with EU ambassadors. One of them is Gasser Abdel Razek, a long-time friend of Middle East correspondent Karim El-Gawhary. In this highly personal report, El-Gawhary writes about his friend’s detentionMore

Unrest in the Arab world: The genie is out of the bottleArab response to Trump's Jerusalem decision: Walking a fine linePortrait of the Egyptian Lawyer Gamal Eid: ''Revolutions aren't led by polite people''
U.S. Vice President Joe Biden, left, and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan speak to the media after a meeting in Ankara, Turkey, Wednesday, 24 August 2016 (photo: picture alliance/AP Images/K. Ozer)

U.S.-Turkey relations in 2021

Biden and Erdogan – how much carrot, how much stick?

Initial statements by the Biden administration indicate it will follow a carrot and stick policy towards Turkey. Ankara believes its role in negotiations on various issues could strengthen its hand when it comes to ties with the new man in the White House. Ayse Karabat reports from IstanbulMore

U.S. policy on the Middle East: The imperial reflexTurkey′s Syrian offensive: A war of America′s makingMask diplomacy and power politics: Erdogan's foreign policy in the shadow of coronavirus
Shadows of Syrians are reflected on a giant poster showing President Bashar Assad, during a supporting rally in Damascus, Syria, Friday, 16 December 2011 (photo: AP Photo/Muzaffar Salman)

Exclusive – Germany's universal jurisdiction

The chances of indicting Syria's Assad for war crimes

Investigations by German federal prosecutors into the evidence of chemical warfare in Syria are ongoing. Deutsche Welle and Der Spiegel gained exclusive access to witnesses and documents that form part of the landmark inquiry. By Lewis Sanders IV, Birgitta Schulke-Gill & Julia BayerMore

Charges against Bashar al-Assad: His turn will comeRiad Seif’s testimony at the Syrian torture trial in Germany: A Syrian opposition legend speaks outAssad's crimes against his own people: Syrian ex-secret police stand trial in Germany
Joe Biden and Palastinian President Mahmoud Abbas (photo: Debbie Hill/AP Photo/picture alliance)

U.S. foreign policy in the Arab world

Joe Biden and the Middle East – bid farewell to Trumpism

Recognising the shifting geopolitical priorities facing America and the Arab states, analyst Marwan Muasher cites three areas in which U.S. President-incumbent Joe Biden's Middle East policy is likely to differ from that of his predecessor Donald TrumpMore

Arab reactions to the U.S. presidential election: "The world needs a break from the Trump era!"U.S. elections and the Middle East: Arab dictators hold their breath at Trump's possible exitU.S. foreign policy in the Middle East: Slave to the Trumpian impulse
more Politics »

Society

Volunteers sweep up debris following the August explosion in Beirut (photo: Getty Images/AFP)

DW documentary on the Lebanon crisis

A land in freefall – between revolution and hope

The political and economic crisis in Lebanon started long before the devastating explosion on 4 August 2020. But since then, the country has been in freefall. Young people in particular are asking whether they have a future there at all.More

Interview with Lebanese political scientist Bassel Salloukh: Will a new Lebanon arise from the ashes of Beirut?Lebanon after the explosion: Beirut's aftermath – shattering as 15 years of civil warBeirut on the brink: Regardless of corona, Lebanon is at economic breaking point
Artist puts finishing touches to a graffito warning against coronavirus (photo: Mahmoud Ajjour/Zuma Press/Imago images)

COVID-19 in the Occupied Territories

Coronavirus infection rates skyrocket in the Gaza Strip

Health experts in the Gaza Strip are sounding the alarm, fearing the pandemic could soon rage out of control. Hospitals there are wholly unprepared for the situation and doctors are pleading for international assistance. Kerstin Knipp has the detailsMore

COVID-19 pandemic: Besieged Gaza on the verge of coronavirus catastrophePhoto essay: Coronavirus in Gaza – trying to avert disasterPolitics, inequality and a lack of transparency: Coronavirus and the Middle East's ongoing state of emergencyQantara dossier: Coronavirus
Israeli journalist and rabbi Elhanan Miller (photo: private)

Rabbi Elhanan Miller on interfaith dialogue

"People of the Book" brings Jews and Muslims together

Conceived by Israeli journalist and rabbi Elhanan Miller, "People of the Book" is a YouTube project designed to provide information on Judaism in Arabic. Disarming prejudice with humour, Miller's cartoons aim to promote mutual understanding between Jews and Arabs. Interview by Claudia MendeMore

Abrahamic Teams in the MENA: Interfaith dialogue – a painstaking processAnti-Semitism: There is no tradition of anti-Semitism in IslamThe Islamic Republicʹs Jewish minority: Celebrating Sabbath in Iran
Palestinian children in Burj Barajneh, Lebanon (photo: Stephen McCloskey)

Coronavirus in the Middle East

"Pandemic of poverty" for Palestinian refugees in Lebanon

Social and economic upheaval in Lebanon in 2020 has deepened and magnified the poverty of Palestinian refugees. The country's "forgotten" Palestinians are bereft of international support and almost totally dependent on UNRWA. Lifting the restrictions on their economic status would help. By Stephen McCloskeyMore

Lebanon after the explosion: Beirut's aftermath – shattering as 15 years of civil warBeirut on the brink: Regardless of corona, Lebanon is at economic breaking pointSocial inequality in the Arab world: There is no state in Lebanon
more Society »

Culture

Excerpt from "The Prophet: A Graphic Novel", adapted and illustrated by Pete Katz (published by Canterbury Classics)

Pete Katz and "The Prophet: A Graphic Novel"

Romantic ideals for a new generation

Often disdained by intellectuals, Kahlil Gibran’s "The Prophet" has remained immensely popular for nearly a century since its publication in 1923. Now one of the most translated books in history has undergone another translation – into the visual sphere – by Pete Katz, who both adapted and illustrated the new volume. By Nahrain Al-MousawiMore

Book review of Najjar's Khalil Gibran biography: The Prophet and his flamboyant creatorMuhammad Iqbal: A spiritual bridge between East and WestCyminology: A finely woven fabric of mysticism and music
Kurdish singer Aynur Dogan performing live on stage in Cologne, Germany, June 2014 (photo: Raimond Spekking/ CC BY-Sa 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons))

Album review: Aynur Dogan’s "Hedur"

Finding solace in the sounds of home

For years, singer Aynur Dogan has preserved and expanded the possibilities of traditional Kurdish music, lending a voice to her people. She has just released her seventh studio album. By Marian BrehmerMore

Interview with Kurdish singer Aynur Dogan: Resisting the windThe Kurdish people: Nishtiman music project: Transcending what dividesKurdish art rock band Adir Jan: Rainbow's hope in hell
Lebanese singer Fairuz (photo: Jospeh Eid /AFP/Getty Images)

Lebanese singer Fairuz

The "grande dame" of Arab music turns 85

Revered as "Mother of the Lebanese Nation" and "Harp of the Orient", Fairuz is a legend all over the Arab World. Now she is celebrating her 85th birthday. By Suzanne CordsMore

New drive against dissidents: The Greek tragedy that is SyriaQantara dossier: Arab musicLegendary oud player and singer Sheikh Imam: Egypt's musical rebel
Sudanese author Leila Aboulela (photo: Judy Laing)

Interview with Sudanese-Egyptian writer Leila Aboulela

The challenge of identity in a non-monochrome world

Recently translated into German, "Minaret" tells the story of a young Sudanese woman exiled in London who finds refuge in Islam. Award-winning author Leila Aboulela talks to Anna-Theresa Bachmann about her work, Muslim immigrants in the UK and the recent Sudanese revolutionMore

Book review: Leila Aboulela's "Bird Summons": The arc of self-discoveryBook review: "The Kindness of Enemies" by Leila Aboulela: Crises of identity and loyalty from Scotland to the CaucasusHorn of Africa: Give Sudan's fledgling democracy the support it deserves!
more Culture »

In brief

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Most Recent Photo Essay

Street food from North Africa: Koshary, also called Kushari, is available on every street corner in Egypt. Oriental spices and white wine vinegar give it its unmistakable flavour. And another essential ingredient are caramelised onions. Michael Landeck experimented for six months – only then was he satisfied with his Koshary

Oriental street food: the Koshary Lux in Berlin

Koshary is probably the most popular street food in Cairo. The Egyptian national dish, which consists of chickpeas, noodles, lentils, rice and tomato sauce, also lends its name to Michael Landeck's Berlin restaurant. By Lena Ganssmann

Scarlett Johansson: Detained EIPR staffers "are the best of us"

Speaking out in Egypt today is dangerous. I want to highlight the plight of four people wrongfully arrested for their work fighting for the dignity of others – Gasser, Karim, Mohammad and Zaki from the Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights.More

Palestinian rights and the IHRA definition of antisemitism

"The portrayal of the BDS campaign as anti-Semitic is a gross distortion of what is fundamentally a legitimate non-violent means of struggle for Palestinian rights" (photo: GALI TIBBON/AFP/Getty Images)

A group of 122 Palestinian and Arab academics, journalists and intellectuals express their concerns about the definition of anti-Semitism as propagated by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA), and the way this definition has been applied, interpreted and deployed in several countries of Europe and North America.More

Found on YouTube: the "Ask an Israeli/Ask a Palestininan" project

Canadian-Israeli Corey Gil-Shuster has been studying and working on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict for over 20 years. His YouTube project "Ask an Israeli/Ask a Palestinian" asks random Palestinians and Israelis to answer viewers' questions. The goal is to promote a better understanding of the conflict from the peoples' perspective.More

Seeking answers to a heinous crime

Hatice Cengiz, fiancee of murdered Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, arrives before a screening of the documentary movie "The Dissident" by director Bryan Fogel at the 16th Zurich Film Festival (ZFF) in Zurich, Switzerland, 2 October 2020 (photo: REUTERS/Arnd Wiegmann)

Did the Saudi state plan the assassination of Jamal Khashoggi? Was Khashoggi so much of a threat to the Saudi regime that it was prepared to commit a terrible crime to get rid of him?More

France24: Middle East readies for end of Trump era

It's hard to think of a more symbolically provocative final act. Mike Pompeo's farewell tour of Israel included the Golan Heights and a settlement in the West Bank. Such trips have never previously been made by a U.S. Secretary of State. We ask about Trump's legacy in the Middle East and what might come next. Will anything change under a Biden administration?More

"Europe's Muslims are European. Stop outsourcing their plight to foreign leaders"

European Muslim women (photo: picture-alliance/dpa)

For EU leaders to seek solutions abroad to end prejudice against millions of their own citizens is insulting and meaningless, argues Shada Islam for The Guardian.More

Nagorno-Karabakh: who benefits from the Russian-brokered peace?

Armenia and Azerbaijan settled for a Russian-brokered peace deal over the contested Nagorno-Karabakh region. Who does the peace settlement favour, and what does the future hold for Nagorno-Karabakh?More