Author: Amin Saikal

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Fighters loyal to Libya's UN-backed Government of National Accord stand on a tank (photo: Getty Images/AFP/M. Turkia)

Libya's double tragedy

How domestic conflict and misguided intervention have destabilised Libya

Libya's plight resembles that of other war-torn countries in the Greater Middle East: internal conflict has spiralled out of control because of misguided foreign intervention. With Turkey and Egypt now locking horns in the country, Libya's agony is even less likely to be resolved at the ongoing UN talks in Geneva, writes Amin SaikalMore

Mask diplomacy and power politics: Erdogan's foreign policy in the shadow of coronavirusA truly international conflict: How can Europe help prevent the carving-up of Libya?The collapse of Haftar's offensive: Is Egypt really preparing to jump into the Libyan fray?
Separatist leader's bodyguard in Aden (photo: Fawaz Salman/Reuters)

Yemen conflict

Saudi Arabia's botched war

Saudi Arabia has spent the past five years fighting off Iran-backed Shia rebels in a seemingly endless conflict that has cost more than 100,000 lives and left 80% of the population in need of humanitarian assistance. Only by backing UN-led peace talks will it be possible to achieve a political settlement. By Amin SaikalMore

Bearing the brunt of the war: Yemeni families in dire straitsInterview with Wafa′a Alsaidy, co-ordinator of Medecins du Monde in Yemen: At the expense of the Yemeni peopleUAE foreign policy and the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi: Hardly a ruler in waiting
Taliban representatives arrive in Moscow on 28.05.2019 for another round of peace negotiations (photo: picture-alliance/AP)

Afghanistanʹs political future

Is peace with the Taliban possible?

Despite ongoing peace negotiations between the United States and the Taliban, the bloody conflict in Afghanistan continues to take a heavy toll on the country’s people. Can talks with the Taliban really bring about peace? By Amin SaikalMore

After the peace conference in Doha: A test match with the TalibanNegotiating peace with the Taliban: Any deal will doPeace talks with the Taliban: Where are Afghanistan's women?
Ballistic missiles on display during a military parade in Tehran attended by President Hassan Rouhaniy in 2017 (photo: IRNA)

U.S.A and Iran

Trump – agent provocateur

The Iranian regime has worked hard to strengthen its national security within a supportive regional framework and would be no pushover in a conflict with the United States. On the contrary, Iranʹs response to any major military assault could result in an uncontrollable regional inferno. By Amin SaikalMore

When blackmail becomes policy: For ʹPalestinian peace processʹ read ʹIran war processʹInterview with Middle East expert Volker Perthes: "Iran will not negotiate its own surrender"U.S. sanctions against the Islamic Republic: Playing poker with Iran