Crackdown on Kurdish mayors in Turkey
by Walter Posch
The purge of HDP-led councils in southeastern Turkey ultimately raises the stakes for restarting negotiations. And that explains why the Kurds paid the price for it.
Politics
The War in Libya and the Battle for Tripoli
As foreign arms fuel the conflict for control of Libya’s western capital, the mood in Tripoli is one of defiance – and resignation.
The crisis in Idlib and Syrian between Turkey, Iran and Russia
Nearly a million people are caught up between the battle lines in Idlib. French Syria expert Fabrice Balanche explains why Russia’s deal with Erdoğan failed, and yet Moscow still holds all the cards.
Iran sanctions and Islamic Revolution anniversary
Stuck in the present and with no viable perspective for positive change, Iranian citizens feel powerless. Worse, we can expect things to stay as they are, until change will come – suddenly, and possibly from a direction we do not expect.
Interview with analyst Anahit Shirinyan on Armenia
by Luise Glum
In 2018, the “velvet revolution” turned Armenia’s political landscape upside down. Political analyst Anahit Shirinyan talks about the intricacies of manoeuvring between Russia, Iran and the US and kickstarting the peace process in Nagorno Karabakh.
Nigeria under Buhari after the presidential elections
by Mark Amaza
The jihadist insurgency is still wreaking havoc in parts of Nigeria, with new security threats looming on the horizon. Yet voters in Africa’s most populous country made corruption and the state of the economy their priorities at the ballot box.
Instability in Libya and security threats for Tunisia
While Tunisia has struggled with its own security concerns and economic problems since the 2011 revolution, ongoing instability in Libya poses a continued threat.
Mass protests in Algeria ahead of presidential elections
Algerians are taking to the streets, calling for a withdrawal of President Bouteflika’s candidacy and a complete reform of the regime. How will the authorities react? Three possible scenarios ahead of Algeria’s crucial presidential elections.