Politics

A fighter of the YPG doing a backflip from a vehicle.
Life in Rojava

In northern Syria, the PYD, an offshoot of the PKK, is propagating nothing less than the construction of a new society – and not only for the Kurds. But will this brand of democratic confederalism work in practice?

Yemeni Soldiers. The war in Yemen is seen by some as a war between Saudi Arabia and proxies of Iran.
The Sparring of Iran and Saudi Arabia

Iran and Saudi Arabia are fighting for supremacy in the Middle East. At least most European media outlets constitute this narrative. But is this really the true situation?

Transitional Justice in Tunisia

Signs that Tunisia’s political elites want to abandon its transitional justice process is leading some to rue a missed chance for the truth-telling and reform the country bitterly needs.

Members of the Popular Mobilisation Forces marching in Iraq, November 2016.
Jihadism vs Muqawamism

The ideology of resistance is a distinct feature of powerful armed groups in the Middle East. It is time to introduce a new concept and, probably, a new term.

Since the summer of 2016, Libya has become the number one transit country for illegal migration into Europe. Here, a group of migrants who have been rescued by a MSF vessel.
Interview with Wolfram Lacher

European governments are accused of complicity in human rights violations in Libya. Their actions are also reducing the country's chances for political stability, believes Wolfram Lacher of the German Institute for International and Security Affairs.

Yousef Al Otaiba, the UAE ambassador, on the US television show Morning Joe in 2014.
Ambassador of Charm

Yousef Al Otaiba, the UAE ambassador to the United States, has rewritten the playbook on Middle East diplomacy in Washington.

Attacking Sufi Heritage in Libya
In the post-revolution lawlessness of Libya, Sufi shrines and mosques were bombed by Salafi militant groups. Photographer Nader Elgadi documented the fear, destruction and the efforts to resist in a series of photographs from 2013-2014.
Tahrir Square in Cairo. Since 2013, Egypt has experienced extremist attacks in its major cities and on the Sinai Peninsula, most recently the 24 November mosque attack that killed more than 300 worshippers.
Civil War Libya and its Spillover to Egypt

Egyptian terror groups are plotting attacks from Libya, while arms smuggling across the border provides weapons to insurgents across the county. Cracking down will be difficult for Egypt’s president.