Egypt
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Transnational repression
Why a friendlier Middle East is more dangerous for activists
Authoritarian governments often harass and hinder their critics, even if those people are outside the country. As former enemies become friends in the Middle East, will they cooperate to shut down opposition voices? By Cathrin Schaer
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10 years after Egypt's Rabaa massacre
Still waiting for justice
The massacre of protesters in Cairo under Abdul Fattah al-Sisi's watch was one of the worst in modern history – and one of the best documented. But 10 years on, no-one has been held accountable. By Cathrin Schaer
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Arab states in crisis
In search of a miracle cure
Given the political, economic and social challenges in Arab countries, fragmented individual measures are no longer enough. What is needed is comprehensive, far-reaching reform. Essay by Marwan Muasher
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Interlacing cultures
Music of the Nile
The Nile Project was a multinational music collective inspired by a river. It sang songs in a variety of styles and languages about life along and with the Nile. Like many projects in the region, it failed because of politics. By Katharina Wilhelm Otieno
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Climate change in MENA
Is the Middle East prepared for extreme heatwaves?
Experts say that as intense heat becomes more frequent, the Middle East will see a rise in heat-related deaths. Despite gaps in public health planning, this region could teach the world a lot about extreme heat. By Cathrin Schaer
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Heatwave in Egypt
"Not only the prices are going up, the temperatures are too"
People in Egypt are currently in the grip of a heatwave with temperatures exceeding 40 degrees. Even Egyptians, who are generally used to the heat, are finding it hard to cope. Karim El-Gawhary reports from Cairo
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Assad's rehabilitation
Enforce sanctions instead of normalising the Assad regime
The Arab League's decision to bring Syria back into the fold after 12 years in isolation shocked Syrians the world over. Rebekka Rexhausen examines what led to this development and argues that the West must adhere to a human rights-centred foreign policy to address authoritarianism in Syria
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War in Sudan
No hope for peace as fighting intensifies
With peace talks running into a dead end, the UN is warning of destabilisation in Sudan. According to experts, the warring parties have no interest in reaching a truce but seek to consolidate their respective power. By Martina Schwikowski
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Growing Arab dissatisfaction with the West
The Arab world tilts eastwards
Arab public opinion is shifting on the topic of great power competition in the Middle East, with implications for the future of the region. By Walid Al-Sheikh
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International disputes about water
On a knife-edge between peace and conflict
As a result of climate change, weather extremes are on the rise. Many parts of the world are plagued by heat and drought. There is a lack of water in numerous areas, and tensions between neighbouring states are straining relations. Are the first conflicts already brewing?
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Magda Saleh, Egypt's first prima ballerina
Remembering the butterfly of ballet
In the early hours of 11 June 2023, Magda Saleh – Egypt’s first prima ballerina – died at the age of 78. She played a pioneering role in bringing classical ballet to Cairo. Mohammad al-Mansi takes a look back at her life
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10 years of Egypt's Sisi regime
Why are Egyptian human rights abuses ignored?
Egyptian activists complain the international community often talks about Egypt's crisis-ridden economy, but says far less about its dire human rights situation. Cathrin Schaer asks, why is one seen as more important than the other?