Authoritarianism
All topics-
Iran protests
What the Islamic Republic's propaganda tells us
Challenging one of the Islamic Republic's most identifiable symbols – the hijab – with some breathtaking, iconographic feminist art, Iran's activists have wrested ownership away from the clerics with regard to who represents the nation, defines its present and shapes its future. Essay by Kevin L. Schwartz & Olmo Goelz
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First aid, but little hope in Sudan
Heavy fighting in Sudan has been going on for a fortnight now. So far, no ceasefire has held. On Sunday, Red Cross aid supplies for the population arrived in the country for the first time. By Beate Hinrichs
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Resurgence of Pakistan's Taliban
Terror returns with the TTP
When the Taliban swept back to power in Afghanistan just under two years ago, analysts warned that their return would also mean a return of the threat posed to neighbouring Pakistan by offshoot Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). By Mohammad Luqman
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Identity politics in Modi's India
The need to prove you're Indian
Nearly 2 million people in India's Assam state – over 5% of the region's population – are staring at a future where they could be stripped of their citizenship if they are unable to prove they are Indian. Sheikh Saaliq and Shonal Ganguly report
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In Istanbul, the last Uighur bookshops struggle to survive
Caught between a vindictive Chinese state and Turkish police, Uighur booksellers are trying to preserve their language and culture.
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Election run-up in Turkey
Who are Erdogan's allies?
Parliamentary and presidential elections in Turkey are scheduled for 14 May, with the polls pointing to a close race. Elmas Topcu takes a look at the parties that support President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's election alliance
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Sudan's ongoing hostilities
A disaster waiting to happen, says expert
Fierce fighting is continuing between Sudan’s regular army and the paramilitary RSF. With so many proxy interests playing into the current situation, the outcome of the conflict is wide open, says Marina Peter of the Sudan Forum
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Turkey
What if Kemal Kilicdaroglu wins Turkey’s election?
It seems that only an act of God could dislodge President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Maybe the February 6 earthquake was just that.
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Ramadan series "Smile, General"
Dynasty of fear
"Smile, General", a TV series aired on Al-Araby 2, has transfixed the Middle East during this month of Ramadan. Despite its fictional nature, it is hard to imagine the show as anything other than the story of the Assad family in Syria. By Issam Kayssi
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Sudan army versus the RSF
The generals' power struggle
Sudan's military and the RSF militia are fighting for power while the country's civilian population watches helplessly from the sidelines. The bloody events over the last few days can be summed up in one sentence: this is not a civil war. An analysis by Karim El-Gawhary
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Bangladesh's Rapid Action Battalion
Inside the death squad
Bangladesh's elite counterterrorism force is committing extrajudicial killings, DW and Netra News reveal in a new investigation. Insiders confirm high-ranking approval. By Christian Caurla, Naomi Conrad, Arafatul Islam and Birgitta Schuelke
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Freedom of expression
Egypt’s female social media influencers face arrest
Charged with "inciting debauchery" and "violating family values": Last week, Egyptian TikTok celebrity Salma Elshimy became the latest in a growing list of women to fall foul of the Egyptian authorities over social media posts