Topic: Arabellion

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Symbolic image: A woman on her way to an abortion (image: imago images/Addictive Stock)

Women's rights in Egypt

We need to talk about abortion

Abortions are illegal in Egypt unless they are necessary to save a married woman's life. But that doesn't stop local women from having one. Egyptian society needs to acknowledge this, activists say. By Diana HodaliMore

Women′s rights in the Arab world: The key to changeAzza Soliman, an Egyptian feminist at risk: "What has Azza done?"Morocco's abortion ban: Acknowledging reality
Young Sufis celebrate the birthday of Imam al Hussein in Saida Zeinab, Cairo (image: Hassanein Hamady)

Sufism in Egypt

Cairo's mystic revival

Egyptian Sufis have been on the defensive against the country's Islamists for decades. Meanwhile, interest in mysticism is growing among the young members of Cairo’s middle and upper classes. By Marian BrehmerMore

Sufism in Egypt: Sufis, sheikhs and charlatansMarking the anniversary of Rumi's death in Konya: From traditional to lifestyle SufismGod's love for all: Sufism is not just Muslim
Vladimir Putin (left) and Recep Tayyip Erdoğan smile broadly as they greet each other at a meeting in Tehran in 2018 (photo: picture-alliance/AA/R. Aydogan)

Turkey-Syria-Russia relations

Is Erdogan planning a deal with Assad?

There are signs of an imminent normalisation of relations between Turkey and Syria. This would allow Erdogan to score political points domestically before the upcoming elections in Turkey. It would also be opportune for Putin. By Ronald MeinardusMore

Russia, Ankara and Damascus: Who decides Turkey's foreign policy?Turkey's Syrian problem: Refugees – a hot topic in Turkish politicsUAE's Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan: Iran and Islamists a threat to Gulf safe haven
A women counts bank notes in Lebanon (photo: Java)

Lebanon's economic collapse

Staring into the abyss

Lebanon was long viewed as the Switzerland of the Middle East. Until relatively recently, billions were deposited in its banks. Gulf states were among the foremost investors in Beirut. But this all came to an end in 2019. Now the troubled nation is gripped by the worst economic crisis in its history. Birgit Svensson reports from Beirut and TripoliMore

Lebanese thinker Martin Accad: "Lebanon's tragedy is political sectarianism"Lebanese protesters call for systemic change: What now for Beirut, once the Paris of the Middle East?Beirut on the brink: Regardless of corona, Lebanon is at economic breaking point
A man holds up a sign that reads "Democracy betrayed" at protests against Tunisian President Kais Saied, Tunis, February 13, 2022 (photo: Hassene Dridi/AP Photo/picture alliance)

Middle East and North Africa

The next Arab Spring will come

Where are the measures to deal with the looming challenges facing the Arab world? In this commentary, Marwan Muasher warns that the region is in grave danger of falling behind when it comes to human developmentMore

COVID-19, COP27 and World Cup 2022: Crisis management in the Arab worldMiddle East: A new Arab Spring, thanks to the Ukraine war?Interview with Asef Bayat: Examining the Arab Spring revolutions from within Arab Spring 2.0: The Middle East's fearless protestersMilitary coup in Sudan: Is the Arab Spring about to die in Khartoum?
Pro-Assad campaing billboards in Damascus, May 2021 (photo: Louai Beshara/AFP/Getty Images)

Syrian conflict's impact on international law

The future cost of normalising Assad

Recent efforts to rehabilitate Assad are setting a damaging precedent for accountability, just as the international community is expressing the need to hold Russia to account for similar human rights violations in Ukraine. By Burcu OzcelikMore

Assad's rehabilitation: At the expense of the Syrian peopleSyria and the Arab world: Assad's return to the foldSyrians and the Ukraine war: "We share a similar suffering"Charges against Bashar al-Assad: His turn will come
Election posters for candidates running in Tunisia's parliamentary election on 17 December, Tunis, 2 December 2022 (photo: Yassine Gaidi/AA/picture alliance)

Parliamentary election in Tunisia

Tunisia's undemocratic drift

Tunisians go to the polls to elect a new parliament on Saturday, 17 December. The election is likely to result in a dummy parliament, sealing its undemocratic credentials. This is the latest episode in a turbulent chapter for the north African country where the Arab Spring began. Can the autocratic drift be reversed? By Amine GhaliMore

A new constitution for Tunisia: From president's power grab to referendumBirthplace of the Arab Spring: Tunisia, a young democracy in perilKais Saied's creeping coup: Who will save Tunisia's democracy now?Ukraine and Tunisia's looming wheat crisis: Becoming toast?
Protests in Sudan against Volker Perthes, director of the UN's mission in the country (photo: AA/picture-alliance)

Sudan's path to democratic transition

Will the Sudan deal hold?

Sudanese protesters have been calling for the removal of German diplomat Volker Perthes from the UN mission to the country. Despite the fractious nature of post-dictatorship politics, there are some reasons for optimism, such as the latest deal. By Cathrin SchaerMore

Anti-coup protesters in Sudan: Still hoping for democracySudan anti-putsch protests: "We have to keep fighting"Sudan's popular resistance: The revolution will succeed
British-Egyptian human rights activist Alaa Abdel Fattah (photo: Mahmud Khaled/AFP/Getty Images)

COVID-19, COP27 and World Cup 2022

Crisis management in the Arab world

November 2022 sees the Arab world firmly in the spotlight with the COP27 in Egypt and the FIFA World Cup in Qatar. Public trust in MENA governments is weak, thanks to their miserable record in protecting citizens’ rights, which leaves nations ill-equipped to handle complex crises like climate change or COVID-19. By Jan VoelkelMore

Arab states in crisis: The ruling classes' dereliction of dutyPolitical scientist Tobias Zumbraegel: How are Middle East countries coping with climate change?The Middle East's "Axis of Failure": Arab autocrats – ruining their own statesIslamic law: The trust deficit
Syrian children take part in the opening ceremony of their own 'camps World Cup' tournament at the municipal stadium in Idlib (photo: Omar HAJ KADOUR/AFP)

FIFA Qatar 2022

Children in Syria's Idlib hold their own World Cup

More than 300 children in rebel-held northwest Syria kicked off their own football World Cup on Saturday, with organisers hoping to shine a light on communities battered by 11 years of warMore

Idlib: Collapsing Turkish lira makes life harder than everThe war in Syria: Overshadowed, yet still a major issueFootball in the Middle East: Freedom vs. oppression
A football in front of the Doha skyline (photo: David Ramos/Getty Images)

Football in the Middle East

Freedom vs. oppression

"Rebel Game: The Power of Football in the Middle East and the Qatar World Cup", an anthology published by Middle East researchers Jan Busse and Rene Wildangel, takes the upcoming FIFA World Cup in Qatar as its basis for grappling with the socio-political and historical relevance of football in the Middle East. By Mirjam SchmidtMore

FIFA, France and Qatar: Qatar Airways' own goal2022 FIFA World Cup and human rights: Pointing the finger at Qatar's rulers is not enoughSoft power and football: Qatar vs. UAE – the not-so-beautiful game
Berlin's trademark bear now speaks Arabic (photo: Christian Toensmann)

Arab intellectuals in Germany

"Creating the Berlin of the future"

Arabs in the German capital? For many, this means criminal clans. Yet the city is home to a vibrant intellectual scene. Exiles from Syria, Palestine and Egypt are gathering to exchange ideas, eat and smoke. Is a new "we" emerging? By Dunja RamadanMore

"Be/coming/home – Berlin, capital of exiles?": Monument to diversity in the "Capital of Exiles"Birthing a literature of refuge: A question of mutual interestQantara dossier: German-Arab literature exchange
COP27 World Climate Conference in Egypt (photo: Sayed Sheasha/Reuters)

Egypt and climate change

COP27 – the things that can't be said

Civil society oppression, "disappointing" climate targets, drought, floods – these are the issues making waves for the Egyptian hosts at this year's international climate conference. By Tim SchauenbergMore

Climate change in Egypt: Alexandria or the sea?Tobias Zumbraegel: How are Middle East countries coping with climate change?Climate crisis and over-population: The Arab world has no answers
Egypt's new capital – one giant construction site in the middle of the desert (photo: Khaled Desouki/Getty Images/AFP)

Egypt's real estate frenzy

An "iron curtain" between rich and poor

Egypt’s military regime is tirelessly modernising roads, public transport and industry across the country and erecting a luxurious administrative capital for the upper class. But the construction boom is primarily financed on credit – Cairo is racing headlong into a debt crisis. By Sofian Philip NaceurMore

Qantara photo essay: Make way for Egyptʹs New Administrative CapitalEgypt's New Administrative Capital: The sinister side of Sisi's urban developmentEgypt – Dollars to despots: Abdul Fattah al-Sisi's international patronsSiemens wins major contract in Egypt: High speed up the Nile valley
Protesters are expected to return to the streets en masse on Tuesday's coup anniversary (photo: Anadolu Agency/picture-alliance)

Anti-coup protesters in Sudan

Still hoping for democracy

On the first anniversary of Sudan's military coup, the country remains stuck in a political stalemate. But, despite the increasingly difficult humanitarian situation, the population hasn't given up hope. Jennifer Holleis reportsMore

Sudan's popular resistance: The revolution will succeedSudan anti-putsch protests: "We have to keep fighting"Sudan's coup puppetmasters: The UAE – pulling Sudanese stringsWhat's next after resignation of Sudan's PM?
Lebanese activists take part in a demonstration in support of women protesters in Iran, following the death of Mahsa Amini, outside the Lebanese National Museum in Beirut, Lebanon, 2 October 2022 (photo: picture-alliance/AA/Hussam Shbaro)

Protests in Iran

Arab women in solidarity with their Iranian sisters

"You are not my guide... I am the compass. Iranian women have spoken, freed themselves, and unleashed a revolution despite smelling death. They have cut their braids in anger; they have raised the banner of hair set free during an age of servile beards. They are our guides... and more"More

Protests in Iran: Murderous repression by a desperate regimeIran protests: "Change that goes beyond the moment"Qantara photo essay: Iran protests – Graffiti from Tehran to Mexico City How feminist are the protests in Iran? The struggle for self-determination

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