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Battle for Syria
Trump's constructive ignorance
The U.S. war on terror is creating more terrorists and will further destabilise the Middle East. Only in Syria could Trump's military determination potentially contribute to a negotiated solution, says Kristin Helberg
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Saudi ultimatum for Qatar
Turning up the heat?
The list of thirteen demands given to Qatar on Friday by Saudi Arabia and the UAE does not represent a serious attempt to settle the conflict. Even so, a split in the Gulf Cooperation Council seems unlikely. By Anna Sunik
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Interview with Lebanese poet Zeina Hashem Beck
Our broken languages
Lebanese poet Zeina Hashem Beck talks to Marcia Lynx Qualey about her work in the spaces between languages, communities and political factions. She writes in English, yet her poetry is so infused with Arabic that it becomes its own, liminal language
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Qatar diplomatic crisis
Playing the waiting game
Following the Arab Spring revolts of 2011, Qatar, which carved out a niche for itself as a regional arbiter of conflicts years ago, embraced an interventionist foreign policy that has favoured Islamists – a move that has irked Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Commentary by Barak Barfi
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Qatar′s political isolation
The latest scapegoat
Against a background of long-simmering conflicts regarding Iran and political Islam, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and their allies have abruptly severed relations with Qatar. Thanks to the USA′s new stance in the Gulf region, both nations now feel free to drastically step up pressure on Qatar. By Matthias Sailer
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Album review: The Dosti Music Project′s ″Travelers″
Coming home
For two years, 2015 and 2016, The Dosti Music Project brought together musicians from India, Pakistan and the United States in order to explore the similarities and differences in their respective art forms. This compilation stands as testament to their remarkable creative energy. By Richard Marcus
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Islam, Judaism, Christianity and Donald Trump
So much cotton candy
This week U.S. President Donald Trump conducted a whistle-stop tour of three world religions, visiting Saudi Arabia, Israel and the Vatican within six days. Despite being spared any major diplomatic gaffs, the rest of the world has little reason to rejoice. Commentary by Alexander Görlach
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Interview with Mohamedou Ould Slahi
"The rule of law means nothing to a corrupt regime"
Mauritanian Mohamedou Ould Slahi spent more than fourteen years in Guantanamo. His "Guantanamo diary", which has been translated into numerous languages, won him global acclaim. After a protracted legal battle, Slahi finally released in October 2016. In an exclusive interview with Emran Feroz, he talks about his experiences during his imprisonment
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Interview with Palestinian American writer Susan Abulhawa
″Literature is a facet of society″
With ″Mornings in Jenin″ and ″The Blue Between Sky and Water″, Palestinian American writer Susan Abulhawa has had two bestsellers in Germany. She writes about misery and trauma, love and the Palestinians′ joie de vivre. In interview with Miriam Quiering, she talks about the way literature is able to express humanity, the German fear of criticising Israel and how stories keep the Palestinian people alive
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Middle East peace process
Playing the Trump card?
Fond of boasting about his deal-making capabilities, U.S. president Donald Trump has oozed confidence in the run-up to his visit to Israel and the Occupied Territories. Whether he will prove a mediating or an alienating influence remains to be seen. By Ylenia Gostoli
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Trump, Abbas and the Middle East conflict
Rose-tinted posturing
Since Trump′s inauguration there has been plenty of contact between the White House and stakeholders in the Middle East. Achieving the ′big ultimate deal′, however, will take more than cosy platitudes. Commentary by Alaa Tartir
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Album review: Neotolia′s ″Neotolian Song″
Once upon a life
While many albums have explored the space where American jazz meets Eastern music, the latest recording from Boston-based Neotolia on Interrobang Records, ″Neotolian Song″, has achieved a fusion that expands to encompass the rest of the world. Review by Richard Marcus