U.S. policy in the Middle East
All topics-
Hamas-Israel conflict
What happens after Gaza?
Following Hamas's terrorist attack on 7 October, the world affirmed Israel’s right to defend itself. But political leaders on the front lines – and the international community more broadly – must start thinking about how to put the region on a path towards lasting peace and stability. By Carl Bildt
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'Not in our name'
Jewish New Yorkers speak out against 'dehumanisation' of Palestinians
New York's two million-strong Jewish community has suffered anguish in the wake of the October 7 Hamas attacks. While many back the Israeli government's response and have rallied in support of Israel, others are unsettled by the Gaza military campaign and the huge price paid by Palestinian civilians
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Hamas-Israel conflict
What are the rules, according to international law?
Israel is retaliating after the Hamas terrorist attacks with massive bombings, a total blockade of the Gaza Strip and possibly a ground offensive. What is covered by international law – and what constitutes a war crime? By Matthias von Hein
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Hamas terror attack aftermath
Understanding is crucial for change
Karim El-Gawhary has been reporting from the Middle East for more than 30 years. The wars he’s witnessed and reported on during this time have led him to the conclusion: security needs political solutions, not military ones
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Hamas-Israel conflict
Which nation could mediate over Gaza?
The United States, European Union, Russia and China want to help end Israel's conflict with Hamas. However, writes Cathrin Schaer, Middle Eastern states are the ones who will need to step up for humanitarian and diplomatic reasons
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Israeli military offensive in Gaza
Forces unleashed in the Middle East
A carte blanche for Netanyahu harbours risks. This applies especially to the military operation in Gaza. Western governments really ought to know this already. An interjection by Stefan Buchen
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Hamas-Israel conflict
Hamas violently forces detour from Saudi-Israel momentum
With its surprise attack against Israel, Hamas has violently shifted the world's eyes back to the Palestinians and dealt a severe blow to momentum to secure a landmark U.S.-brokered deal between Israel and Saudi Arabia
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Saudi Arabia and the Khashoggi murder
Still no justice
Far from a pariah state after the assassination of the Saudi dissident Jamal Khashoggi, Saudi Arabia features ever more prominently on the world stage. How do Saudi activists keep fighting when the world is looking away? By Cathrin Schaer
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Saudi-Israeli relations
US-Saudi defence pact tied to Israel deal, Palestinian demands put aside
Saudi Arabia is seeking binding assurances of US protection in the event of an attack in return for normalisation with Israel – even if Israel does not agree to make major concessions to the Palestinians. Although such a deal could reshape the Middle East, it would mean that the Palestinian demand for statehood would take a back seat once again
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Iran-Saudi deal
The Islamic Republic's dilemma
Iran's deal last spring with Saudi Arabia, brokered by China, highlighted the emergence of an unstable equilibrium in the Islamic Republic's foreign policy. Amin Naeni and Ali Fathollah-Nejad explore the inherent tensions
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Taliban Afghanistan 2 years on
Report from a forgotten land
15 August 2023 marked the second anniversary of the Taliban's return to Afghanistan. Emran Feroz recently travelled through the country – here is his exclusive report for Qantara.de on everyday life in Kabul
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Taliban Afghanistan's double whammy
Afghans face a failing economy and high taxation
Almost two years after the Taliban swept to power, other international crises have distracted attention away from Afghans' suffering amid the country's dire socioeconomic conditions. Looking ahead, Hameed Hakimi asks what are the economic prospects for Afghanistan under the Taliban?