Author: Arnold Hottinger

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Voting in Iraq – voters at a Baghdad polling station (photo: ABAH ARAR/AFP/Getty Images)

Parliamentary elections in Iraq

Shifting towards Iran?

At the forthcoming parliamentary poll in Iraq, the question is who will gain the upper hand – pro-Iranian Shias or pro-western forces? A pre-election analysis by Arnold HottingerMore

The Iraq War fifteen years on: "America destroyed my country"Murder and kidnapping in Iraq: An inexorable tideFighting over Kurdish independence: A political fiasco
The Orient in flux: in 1798 Napoleon′s troops landed in Egypt and dealt a stunning blow to the Muslim Mamluks (source: Fine Art Images/Heritage Images/Getty Images)

Enlightenment in the Islamic world

Refuting the 'westernisation' narrative

In his latest work, essayist and seasoned correspondent Christopher de Bellaigue presents the Islamic world in the 19th century in a new light. His main thrust? The Islamic Middle East did indeed experience its own genuine Enlightenment. By Arnold HottingerMore

Islam and enlightenment: Beware of the myth Interview with Angelika Neuwirth: "The claim that Islam lacks an Enlightenment is an age-old cliche"Volker Perthes: "The end of the Middle East, as we know it": The end of Sykes-Picot?

In brief

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Most Recent Photo Essay

Overshadowed by conflict: Ramadan has come to an end in the midst of escalating violence between Palestinians and Israelis. Still, about 100,000 Muslims came together on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem on Thursday, according to media reports. The compound, which is home to the iconic Dome of the Rock and Al-Aqsa Mosque, is the third holiest site in Islam

Muslims celebrate Eid ul-Fitr as Ramadan ends

Ramadan, the Islamic holy month marked by fasting, has come to an end. Now Muslims are celebrating Eid al-Fitr despite the pandemic and violent conflicts. Here's a look at how some people are marking the festival. By Uta Steinwehr