Syria
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Northern Syria's humanitarian disaster
Syria's IDPs – waiting for death in Idlib
Millions of people in Syria's Idlib region depend on foreign aid that passes through only one border crossing. The UN mandate regulating passage through it will expire on 10 July; a humanitarian disaster looms if it isn't renewed. Diana Hodali reports
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Literary power politics
Spotlight on the UAE's 30th Abu Dhabi Book Fair
They’ve already got the Louvre; they’ll soon have a Guggenheim Museum as well – and now the Emirates have added literature to their quest for cultural supremacy in the Arab world. Stefan Weidner reports from Abu Dhabi, from the first book fair of this year to take place in person
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Loyalty and legitimacy in Syria
Bashar al-Assad's staging of the presidential election
By stage-managing his re-election in a poll widely dismissed as a farce, Syria's President Bashar al-Assad has killed two birds with one stone: he has forced his compatriots to demonstrate their loyalty and submission and will use the outcome to get money from abroad. He needs both to stay in power. By Kristin Helberg
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Syria 10 years on
Bashar al-Assad’s Pyrrhic victory and the arrogance of power
Syria's president appears to have triumphed. He remains in power, the Syrian conflict is nearly over, and efforts are underway in the Arab world to normalise relations with his regime. Yet why was Bashar al-Assad so unprepared for the uprising, and has he learned anything since? Commentary by Nael Shama
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The alchemy of fasting
Ramadan – a feast for spirit and soul
In Islamic mysticism, Ramadan is more than just a period of prescribed abstinence, signifying an opportunity for inner contemplation. Marian Brehmer explores the spiritual dimensions of the month of fasting against the background of Sufism
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Turkey and northern Syria
Recep Tayyip Erdogan's deadly serious colonial project
The neo-Ottomanism propagated by Erdogan has long been more than rhetoric and symbolic politics. This can be seen from recent developments in parts of northern Syria, where Turkey is in the process of permanently securing its sphere of influence. Joseph Croitoru reports
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COVID-19 rages on
Muslims begin Ramadan 2021 under the shadow of coronavirus
Surging coronavirus cases in many parts of the world have overshadowed the start of this year's Muslim holy month of Ramadan, with festivities once again curtailed by contagion fears.
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Syrian conflict
How climate change paved the way to war in Syria
Researchers agree that climate change alone cannot be blamed for the outbreak of war in Syria in 2011. However, neither can it be ignored as a reason this once blossoming country has become parched and war-torn. By Jennifer Holleis
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Spotlight on bridge-builders: Rafik Schami
The story-teller from Damascus
Syrian-born Rafik Schami is a gifted storyteller and one of the most successful authors writing in German today. In his 50 years in exile in Germany, he has introduced the Arab art of storytelling to German literature and has been showered with prizes. But Schami is more than just a storyteller, he is also an outspoken critic of politicians and governments both in Europe and the Middle East. By Ceyda Nurtsch
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Syrian composer and pianist Malek Jandali
"Music has the magical power to transcend all barriers"
Over the course of the Syrian revolution, Malek Jandali has devoted much of his musical energies to supporting the people of Syria – and especially children – in their struggle for freedom. His latest album is part of his mission to save and express the rich musical heritage of his homeland. Exclusive interview for Qantara.de by Susannah Tarbush
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Mass expropriation in Syria
How Assad is preventing the return of refugees
The Syrian war has moved through many phases and included a number of changing actors. But one aspect has remained constant throughout: the Assad regime is using the conflict to rid the nation once and for all of what it considers to be undesirable demographic groups. By Stefan Buchen and Sulaiman Tadmory
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Beyond the hackneyed Syrian refugee trope
Engage with our work, not our biographies
Since 2015, interest in Syrian literature in German translation has risen sharply. Artists, translators and publishers talk about their experiences – and why the hype is not only beneficial. By Mari Odoy