Islamism | Political Islam
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Afghanistan in the hand of the Islamists
Taliban rule the second time round – what to expect?
In the wake of the Taliban seizing power in Afghanistan, it makes sense to take a closer look at their ideology. Can they contribute to a peaceful order? German Afghanistan expert Thomas Ruttig recently outlined his view in an essay for a U.S. Military Academy West Point publication. By Rishikesh Thapa
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Death sentences against Muslim Brotherhood members in Egypt
An act of reckoning
Attracting little attention from the world at large, Egypt's military regime has been mercilessly going after dissidents. Now, the first executions of prominent members of the Muslim Brotherhood loom. All the while, the true extent of the crackdown remains unknown. By Jannis Hagmann
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"Talibanned": From kite-running to breakdancing – not again!
During their 1996-2001 rule, the Taliban outlawed dozens of activities in Afghanistan. Now, with the insurgents once more making huge territorial gains across the country following the U.S. and NATO withdrawal, people are very fearful of what may come next. By Jay Deshmukh
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U.S. and NATO withdraw from "the forever war"
What we should all know about Afghanistan
United States and NATO troops are leaving Afghanistan after 20 years, despite the fact that the Taliban is still advancing. The German Bundeswehr is already out. Sandra Petersmann examines the key issues
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DW documentary: Who's behind Islamist terrorism?
Intelligence and the business with terror
Who’s financing, planning and commissioning terror attacks in Europe? This investigative documentary follows a trail that leads to Pakistan’s intelligence service, the ISI, which seems not only to fight terror, but sponsor it as well
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Maghreb and the EU
Will medicinal cannabis become Morocco's no.1 export?
A law is currently being debated in Morocco that would legalise the cultivation and export of medicinal cannabis. For many small farmers, this would bring considerable advantages. But the bill is controversial. By Cathrin Schaer
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Islamophobia and anti-Semitism
Cancel Culture restricts freedom of expression in France?
In Grenoble, France, two professors have been pilloried in a dispute over the use – or otherwise – of the term Islamophobia. Is freedom of speech in jeopardy? By Stefan Dege and Heike Mund
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The legacy of the Arab Spring
"The Syrian revolution is resumable today and tomorrow"
On the 10th anniversary of the Arab Spring we can’t quite escape that substance called remembrance. Yet, eschewing facile modes of nostalgic remembrance and/or tragic lamentation, we opt for asking questions. Yassin Al-Hajj Saleh reflects
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"An Imaginary Racism: Islamophobia and Guilt"
Deeply ignorant – Pascal Bruckner's hateful verbal crusade
In his controversial book published in 2020, French author Pascal Bruckner describes anti-Muslim sentiment as a fiction, claiming that the term "Islamophobia" is being used to silence criticism of the religion. Alexandra Senfft responds by highlighting the contradictions in a popular view of Islam and Muslims that leaves little room for nuance
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Germany and the discussion surrounding "Political Islam"
Berlin 2021 is not Tehran 1979
Several media reports in recent weeks have focused on the potential threat presented by Islamist groups in Germany. The discourse is fraught with generalisations, both sides accusing the other of their inability to differentiate, writes Tayfun Guttstadt
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Tunisia ten years after the Arab Spring
Where are the democratic dividends for Tunisians?
Tunisia has launched a successful transition to democracy, but difficult economic and social times lie ahead. According to political scientist Said AlDailami, Europe should focus more on joint interests in its co-operation with the North African state. Interview conducted by Claudia Mende
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Book review: Kim Ghattas' "Black Wave"
The rivalry that completely transformed the Middle East
In "Black Wave: Saudi Arabia, Iran and the rivalry that unraveled the Middle East", Dutch Lebanese journalist Kim Ghattas describes the past 40 years in the Middle East and North Africa as a struggle for hegemony between Saudi Arabia and Iran. Throughout the book, she focuses above all on the societal dimension of this rivalry. Daniel Walter read the book