Iraq
All countries-
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-Gawhary
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Tattoo trends from Beirut to Baghdad
In the spirit of rebellion
For some it's about following a trend; for others, tattoos are a symbol of their faith, but whatever the reason, the fashion for stylish tattoos is fuelling a growing subculture across the Arab world. By Mey Dudin
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The decline of humanism in the Arab world
With an iron fist
Gone the dream of a modern Arab civil society. Syrian writer Nasser Rabbat examines the historical causes for despotism, tyranny and oppression in the Arab world
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Baghdad City of Peace Carnival
Grassroots, green shoots
An annual event shows what the Iraqi people want most of all: peace. Young people in Baghdad organise a major street carnival to set positive images against the daily news of violence and war. The event has also given rise to regular participation in civil society. By Eva-Maria Verfurth and Qayssar Alwardii
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Christians in Iraq
Coping with wrack and ruin
The Christian villages around the Iraqi city of Mosul may have been liberated, but in reality, the scars of brutal IS rule mean they are uninhabitable. For most residents, returning is not an option at this stage. By Karim El-Gawhary
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Donald Trump the author
"Strengthen American Muscle"
Donald Trump has long been known in America as a book author and cautionary voice. He has already set down his plans for the Middle East in writing – and they give cause for concern. By Joseph Croitoru
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Interview with war photographer Andy Spyra
The pull of war
He is one of Germany's most sought-after photographers, his main theme: war. Andy Spyra talks to Bettina Baumann about the hurdles and limits of conflict zone photography – and why it fascinates him
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Christians in Iraq
Between the fronts
With the Mosul offensive having freed many Christian communities from the clutches of IS, there is undeniably cause for celebration. And yet the position of Iraq′s Christians remains precarious. Birgit Svensson reports from Baghdad
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Refugees and music
Finding common ground
Streams of migration are a challenge. On the move along with individual people are whole cultures, languages and habits that are sometimes not understood outside their homelands. Music, as a non-verbal phenomenon bound up with strong feelings, could operate as a medium for bridging the consequent perplexity. By Hans-Jurgen Linke
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Euro MP Barbara Lochbihler on the Mosul offensive
″Further conflict is inevitable″
In interview with Friedel Taube, German EU parliamentarian Barbara Lochbihler points out that the liberation of Mosul does not necessarily mean peace. She would like to see a plan being drawn up for what happens next
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Interview with children's book author Thomas Mac Pfeifer
Long ago and far away
Children's book author Thomas Mac Pfeifer spent close to a year interviewing migrant children in Germany and writing up stories from their homelands. The tales in his book take the audience on a bittersweet journey to Iraq, Syria, Afghanistan, Burkina Faso and other conflict zones. Interview by Sertan Sanderson
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Non-fiction: ″The Age of Jihad ″ by Patrick Cockburn
A catalogue of blunders
″The Age of Jihad: The Islamic State and the Great War for the Middle East″ by journalist Patrick Cockburn traces not just the rise of Islamic State and other extremist groups who are striving for power in Muslim countries, but how American and British foreign policy in this century has contributed directly to their emergence. Richard Marcus read the book