Author: Cigdem Akyol

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Shia militias move into the Iraqi province of Nineveh (photo: Reuters/A. Jalal)

Fighting over Kurdish independence

A political fiasco

By going ahead with the referendum on independence, Massoud Barzani has forfeited the support of his international allies, while bringing tensions with Iraqi central government to a dangerous head. If Barzani hoped the referendum would consolidate his own power base, he couldn′t have been more wrong. An analysis by Cigdem AkyolMore

The future of a people: Good Kurd, bad KurdKurdish referendum for political relevance: Papering over the cracksIraqi Kurdistan in political and economic crisis: Barzani′s sinking ship
German author and journalist Cigdem Akyol (picture-alliance/dpa/D.Bockwoldt)

Press freedom in Turkey

Writing in a state of fear

Turkish journalists have been detained for their independent reporting, ahead of the international book fair in Istanbul. It takes courage to be a journalist in Turkey, writes Cigdem AkyolMore

Interview with Turkish author Elif Shafak: Democracy in a downward spiralInterview with the Turkish political scientist Baskin Oran: Erdogan's freedom of speechQantara dossier: Media in Turkey
Male belly dancer Erhan Ay trying on a costume (photo: DW/G. Köhne)

Male belly dancers in Turkey

Shimmying, swaying and gyrating to the beat

In Turkey, men are conquering the stage in the world of belly dance. The increasing popularity of male dancers is based on more than just the apparent novelty of their performances. In Istanbul, Cigdem Akyol met two belly dancers and spoke to them about their professionMore

Interview with choreographer Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui: "I don't mix cultures, I translate"Film review: "Desert Dancer": Dancing around clichésQantara.de dossier: dance
Recep Tayyip Erdogan (photo: picture-alliance/AP Photo/A. Emric)

Turkish military operations against IS and the PKK

Erdogan's double strategy

After years of hesitancy, Turkey has begun launching airstrikes on IS positions in Syria. At the same time, Ankara has also deployed its air force against fighters with the banned Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK). Analysts suspect that President Erdogan is now pursuing a strategy all his own. By Cigdem Akyol in IstanbulMore

Kurds in Iraq: When hope turns to fearAfter the attack in Suruc: Turkey fighting on two frontsTurkey, IS and the Kurdish conflict: "Kobani is now everywhere"Qantara.de: Kurdish-Turkish Conflict
A supporter of the pro-Kurdish HDP in Diyarbakir celebrates after the announcement of the election result (photo: Getty Images/B. Kara)

Turkey after the general election

No balcony speeches for Erdogan

The fact that a Kurd, of all people, has mounted a successful challenge to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, is tantamount to a revolution. One thing is clear: the AKP can no longer continue deriding its critics as it has previously done. But what options are now open to the party? By Cigdem Akyol in IstanbulMore

Parliamentary election in Turkey: Erdogan's biggest political defeatThe role of the HDP in the Turkish general election: Beacon of hope for women and LGBTsTurkey, IS and the Kurdish conflict: "Kobani is now everywhere"Interview with Turkish politician Sirri Sureyya Onder: The solution to the Kurdish conflict as a yardstick for democracy
Recep Tayyip Erdogan (left) and Vladimir Putin during Erdogan's state visit to Russia, St Petersburg, 22 November 2013 (photo: Reuters)

Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Vladimir Putin

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Sunni Islam meets Russian orthodoxy

While the Turkish president is hoping his party will win an absolute majority in the upcoming parliamentary elections, the Russian head of state has long since eliminated all opposition in his country. There is much that unites these two men – but much that divides them too on a political and biographical level. By Cigdem AkyolMore

Rapprochement between Erdogan and the Turkish Army: Short-term tactic or long-term strategy?Turkey's mosque-building programme: Does Turkey aspire to the leadership of the Islamic world?Crimean Tatars in Ukraine: Deep-seated fearsInterview with Stefan Meister: "The Syria crisis is legitimising Putin"Turkey and the alliance against IS: Of inaction and double standards
Logo of Muslim taxi (image: muslimtaxi.de)

Germany's First Muslim Car Sharing Service

''We Are Protecting Marriages''

Selim Reid set up Germany's first Muslim car sharing service to spare his mother disparaging remarks and to reduce the number of extra-marital affairs. Cigdem Akyol spoke to the entrepreneur about his concept and his motivationMore

Islamic Auction Website Selisha.de: A Kind of eBay for MuslimsKhaled al Khamissi's Bestseller ''Taxi'': Egypt's Culture on Four WheelsIslamic Streetwear from the German ''Styleislam'' Label: Modern, Rebellious, and Pleasing in the Sight of God