Author: Karim El- Gawhary

rss-iconSubscribe to feed
U.S. President Donald Trump gives a speech following the airstrike on Syria (photo: Reuters)

U.S. missile strike in Syria

Trump turns the table

Last week U.S. President Donald Trump turned the table on the Syrians. All those who were seated at it, comfortably or even dozing, have now stood up with a start and are wondering what all the broken crockery means for them. By Karim El-GawharyMore

Assad and the rise of IS: My enemy's enemyInterview with Rami G. Khouri: Fragmentation of the Arab world Trump's Syria strike came with a message and risks
Ex-dictator Hosni Mubarak waves to supporters from his room in the military hospital in Maadi, Cairo (photo: AP/picture-alliance)

′Pharaoh′ Mubarak′s acquittal

Some are more equal

While ex-dictator Hosni Mubarak – who has apparently got off scot-free – will not be called to account for the deaths of hundreds of demonstrators, democracy activists released from detention such as Ahmed Maher continue to suffer harassment at the hands of the legal system. Karim El-Gawhary reports from CairoMore

Interview with Ahmed Maher: "The next revolution will certainly come"Tahrir Square's democracy activists: The forgotten heroesInterview with Egyptian activist Ahmed Said: The scorpion's sting
Donald Trump during the US election campaign (photo: Getty Images)

Arab reactions to Donald Trump′s election victory

The jihadists' dream

Radical Islamists and Arab autocrats alike were pinning their hopes on Donald Trump. Now they are out to seize their chance. At the moment, however, no one in the Arab world can predict what line Trump is likely to pursue. By Karim El-GawharyMore

US-Iranian relations following the presidential election: It's a chill windRussia and the Syrian conflict: Drop the dictator!Non-fiction: ″The Age of Jihad ″ by Patrick Cockburn: A catalogue of blunders
Anti-IS militia – Kurdish Iraqi women on the front near Mosul (photo: Reuters/A. Jadallah)

The Mosul offensive

In enemy heartland

Progress is slow in the battle for control of Mosul, with IS jihadists using booby traps and suicide commandos against the liberators. Karim El-Gawhary spoke to Kurdish fighters and refugees in some of the villages recaptured by the peshmergaMore

The Mosul offensive: The Caliphate's cubsSolving the conflicts in the Middle East: Tracing the fault linesThe reconquest of Fallujah: The serpent′s head

In brief

More

Most Recent Photo Essay

According to the Koran, the Prophet Muhammad received the Book's holy words in the month of Ramadan. During this month, Muslims are supposed to practice abstinence. Daily prayer is compulsory – even for travellers. Islamic prayer rooms have been set up in many international airports, like the one here in Amman. In Germany, you can find these rooms in the airports at Frankfurt, Munich and Dusseldorf

Ramadan: Enlightenment and commerce

Muslims all over the world are currently observing Ramadan. The month of fasting is supposed to be all about reflection, meditation and abstention - but Ramadan is becoming increasingly commercialised.