Author: Anne Allmeling

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The ruler of Oman, Sultan Qaboos bin Said Al-Said (photo: AP)

Oman's succession problem

Neither heir nor spare

Unmarried and childless, Qaboos bin Said Al-Said, Sultan of Oman, is something of a rarity in the Arab world. His reign has already lasted for 45 years. Confusion still remains, however, over the identity of his successor. What is clear is that whoever it is will not have it easy. By Anne AllmelingMore

Cultural change in Oman: From camels to classics Sultan Qaboos bin Said: Oman's Renaissance manPolitics and society in Oman: Outpost of the Arab world
Islamic State (IS) flag and placard in Daquq district, south of Kirkuk (photo: Getty Images/AFP/M. Ibrahim)

Volker Perthes: "The end of the Middle East, as we know it"

The end of Sykes-Picot?

Almost a century ago, France and Britain carved up large swathes of the Middle East between them. Now the order imposed by the Sykes-Picot Agreement in 1916 appears to be disintegrating. In his new essay, Volker Perthes outlines the reasons for this development and suggests potential scenarios for the region. A review by Anne AllmelingMore

The global risks of an imploding Middle East: A region in flamesSyria and the Middle East: The end of the Sykes Picot system?Islamic State (IS): A totalitarian, expansive and hegemonic project
Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz al-Saud, king of Saudi Arabia (photo: Reuters)

Succession in the Saudi royal family

Generation change in Saudi Arabia?

King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia is one of the oldest monarchs in the world. He has named two of his brothers as his successors. The only difficulty is that the two princes are almost as old as the ailing autocrat himself. By Anne AllmelingMore

Saudi Arabia's foreign policy: Pilgrimage to PakistanSaudi Arabia's foreign policy: The bewildered kingdomSaudi Arabia: Facing a plethora of fundamental challengesPolitical pressure exerted by Gulf states in Egypt: Reaching for the cheque book
Chancellor Merkel and Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani of Qatar in Berlin on 17 September 2014 (photo: AFP/Getty Images/J. MacDougall)

Qatar's foreign policy

Little emirate, big ambition

This week, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani paid his first state visit to Germany since being named emir of Qatar after his father's abdication in June 2013. The 34-year-old emir is one of the Middle East's most influential leaders, but his political course is controversial. By Anne AllmelingMore

Qatar's foreign policy: Small emirate, potent influenceBook review: "Sectarian Gulf" by Toby Matthiesen: Sectarianism instead of revolutionTopic: Arab Spring
Professor Henner Fürtig is director of the GIGA Institute of Middle East Studies in Hamburg (photo: Werner Bartsch)

Protests across the Muslim World

''Deep mistrust towards the West''

Anti-Western protests often arise suddenly in Arab countries, says historian and Arab world specialist Henner Fürtig. However, he doubts the current outbreak was coordinated by al QaedaMore

Protests against Mohammed film in the Arab World: Adding Grist to the Salafists' MillSalafists in Egypt: Exploiting the Weakness of the PeopleThe Arab Spring and Political Change: Are Arabs Capable of Democracy?
Andrea Teti

Interview with Andrea Teti

''The Arab Uprising Was Not about Liberal Democracy''

A year ago Hosni Mubarak was toppled from power. A spirit of hope hung heavy in the air, however one year on people in Egypt are still struggling to come to terms with his legacy. Anne Almeling talked to Andrea Teti about the country's futureMore

Democracy and Rule of Law in Egypt: Momentum towards a ''Revolution of Reason''Interview with Bouthaina Kamel: ''The Revolution Is Not Over as Long as the Military Rules''Interview with George Ishak: ''We Need a New Revolution''
Rafik Schami (photo: picture alliance/dpa)

Interview with Rafik Schami

''The Rebellion's Perseverance Surprises Me''

In the opinion of the German-Syrian writer Rafik Schami, the Syrian opposition is a temporary "front" that is united only in its desire to topple Assad. As soon as the regime begins to weaken, there is a risk of civil war. Anne Allmeling spoke to Schami about the protests in Syria.More

Syria: The Opposition and the Church: A Slap in the Face for the Pro-Democracy MovementUprising against the Assad Regime in Syria: Is This a Second Libya?

In brief

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Most Recent Photo Essay

Banished from paradise: in Biblical times, paradise was where Adam and Eve lived, supposedly the area between the Euphrates and Tigris rivers – until God banished them from the Garden of Eden because they nibbled on the forbidden fruit from the Tree of Knowledge. There are still lush oases on the banks of the river, but people's lives there today are anything but paradisiacal.

Pope Francis' visit to Iraq's biblical sites

Abraham was born in Iraq and this is where the whale swallowed Jonah, according to the Bible. Pope Francis' is travelling to an area steeped in biblical history.