Turkey
All countries-
Interview with Turkish artist Ozge Samanci
″Pressure on artists in Turkey is increasing″
Ozge Samanci is a graphic and installation artist. Her autobiographical graphic novel – which she presented in person at this year′s International Literature Festival in Berlin – was internationally reviewed. In interview with Ceyda Nurtsch she talks about growing up in Turkey and the situation of artists following the attempted coup
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Bonn′s Beethovenfest
Sounds of the Arab Spring
Six composers from five Arab countries translated their impressions of the Arab Spring into music, providing the pianist Seda Roder with material for her multimedia ″Songs of Spring″ performance, rich in hope and disappointment. By Gaby Reucher
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Integration in Germany
What is required of us
Our country needs to respect and value minorities more and to empathise with them more. It also needs an honest debate about what we – not they – must bring to the table, writes Lamya Kaddor
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Palestine's Mohammed Dahlan
A finger in every pie
Formerly the Palestinian Authority′s head of security, Mohammed Dahlan is regarded not only as President Abbas′ arch-rival, but also as a political multi-talent with the best international connections. Many believe the ousted Fatah functionary is planning a return to the political stage. By Neville Teller
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Turkish foreign policy
Erdogan′s volte-face
Turkey′s shift away from the West since the July 15 coup attempt is a deliberate tactic to strengthen the government′s domestic support base and pursue a more aggressive regional role. Commentary by A. Kadir Yildirim
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Turkish-Russian relations
Farewell America
Despite numerous conflicts between Russia and Turkey in the past, the two countries appear to be moving closer together. This current rapprochement is due to the West′s waning attraction, argues Stefan Buchen
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Sufism
Lifting the lid
Many Western devotees of Sufism view it as a more liberal brand of Islam. That is a misunderstanding. An essay by Stefan Weidner
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″Jihad Selfie″
No one is born a terrorist
Written and directed by Indonesian Noor Huda Ismail, ″Jihad Selfie″ takes an in-depth look at the reasons behind radicalism. It is a warning to parents and young people of how social media often functions as a breeding ground for IS fighters. By Edith Koesoemawiria
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Talking Turkey
″What happens on the Bosphorus affects us all″
The West′s attitude toward Turkey matters. For an outcome that reflects democratic values and is favourable to Western and Turkish interests alike, Western diplomats need to escalate their engagement with Turkey. Essay by Sweden′s former foreign minister, Carl Bildt
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Turkish involvement in Syria
Making enemies
Ankara has invaded Syria to keep Islamic State fighters out of its own territory and prevent Kurdish territorial gains. In Turkey, the dual strategy has not only met with approval: critical voices are growing louder. By Andreas Gorzewski
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Kurdish film-maker Ali Kemal Cinar
The power of tenacity
The Kurdish filmmaker Ali Kemal Cinar from Diyarbakir caused a small sensation when his zero-budget production "Vesarti (Hidden)" won him the 2016 Most Inspiring Director of the Year award at the !f Independent Film Festival in Istanbul. With his experimental, absurdly comic films, Cinar represents a new way of thinking in Kurdish filmmaking. By Sonja Galler
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The Vatican
All things to all people?
A Muslim visits the Vatican and discovers the breadth of attitudes and beliefs represented by the many people who cross its threshold every year. Is the Holy See gradually transcending its Christian roots to become a place of spiritual pilgrimage for all? By Mulham Al Malaika