Author: Jakob Krais

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Postcard from the time of the First World War showing the allies Kaiser Wilhelm II, left, Sultan Mehmed V, centre, and Kaiser Franz-Joseph, right (photo: picture-alliance)

Historical roots of the current Middle East crisis

The end of an artificial construct

After the First World War, many people hoped for a lasting order that would bring peace. The mandate system, which was supervised by the international community, was supposed to bring a new form of "benevolent" imperialism to the Middle East. However, the region is still dominated by the problems that were created at that time – more so today than ever before. By Jakob KraisMore

Syria and the Middle East: The end of the Sykes–Picot system?Germans and Ottomans in the First World War: A partnership of privilegeInterview with Daniel Barenboim: "The world is suffering from a lack of leadership"
A harkis unit, Muslims recruited by the French for the battle against Algerian rebels, marches through an Algiers street in 1957 (photo: AFP)

Sixty years since the beginning of the Algerian war

National fronts?

The Algerian War began 60 years ago. Some eight years later, a new Arab nation came about – and a million Algerians of French origin fled to France. The recent successes of the extreme-right Front National have made these "pieds-noirs" a political factor again, as the fronts of the Algerian War retain contemporary relevance. By Jakob KraisMore

Literature and Collective Trauma in Algeria: Moving Beyond the Examination of HistoryInterview with Benjamin Stora: The Bitter Legacy of Past Franco-Algerian RelationsLiterature and Collective Trauma in Algeria: Moving Beyond the Examination of History
Kaiser Wilhelm II on a state visit to the Ottoman Empire in 1917 (photo: picture-alliance/Akg-images)

Germans and Ottomans in the First World War

A partnership of privilege

When the First World War began 100 years ago, German advisers in the Ottoman Empire were a common sight. The Ottomans hoped their alliance with the military power Germany would help them reverse their waning military fortunes. In the end, however, they lost their entire empire as a result of the conflict. By Jakob KraisMore

Fatih Akin's film about the Armenian genocide: Processing a collective traumaTurkey and Armenia: "This Is None of Europe's Business"Armenians in Turkey: A Feeling of Powerlessness

In brief

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Most Recent Photo Essay

Land of nomads and desert: Mauritaniaʹs extremely hot and arid climate explains its very low population density. In 2009, the country had just 4 million inhabitants spread over 1 million square kilometres. The Adrar plateau, located in the north of the country near Atar, is known for its gorges and dunes

Mauritania, land of desert and contrasts

Mauritania straddles the transition between the Maghreb and sub-Saharan Africa, its population is equally divided between Africans and Arabs. Berber women carefully veil themselves with colourful 'melhafas', their feet decorated with henna, while Wolof women show off their beautiful skin glistening with shea butter. By Pascal Mannaerts (www.parcheminsdailleurs.com)