Democracy and civil society
All topics-
Israeli author Zeruya Shalev
"I am shocked and grieving, yet hopeful"
"Dancing, standing still" is the name of the first novel written by Israeli author Zeruya Shalev – now published for the first time in German as "Nicht ich". In it, a child is kidnapped and taken across the border. There is also talk of a tunnel. A conversation about disturbing topicality and the question of where all this is leading us
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The role of UNRWA in Gaza
UNRWA and the day after in Gaza
Defunding UNRWA will not only worsen the humanitarian crisis in Gaza but also have long-term implications for Palestinian self-governance
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Women in Turkey's local elections
Believe in the power of women!
As Turkey heads towards local elections in March, Qantara.de contributor Ayse Karabat has been helping train female hopefuls seeking to race in these and future elections in a country where women's representation in politics remains staggeringly low. A special report
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Israeli author and peace activist David Grossman
"I believe what Hamas says"
Israeli author David Grossman still holds fast to the two-state solution, even in the wake of the October 7 massacres. The Israelis are fated to do business with Hamas, he says
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Bowing to Israeli pressure
No more German money for Palestinian human rights NGOs
Despite no signs of funding misuse, Germany has terminated a significant proportion of its co-operation with Palestinian civil society. A long-standing dispute between Israel and Germany was one reason for the move. A report from Ramallah and Tel Aviv
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Iran elections
Why Tehran may announce a fake voter turnout
Banned from the streets, the protests in Iran continue. This week's elections will reflect just how much – or how little – popular support the Islamic Republic still enjoys
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Pakistan election aftermath
What next for Indo-Pakistan relations?
Islamabad's frail new ruling coalition will need the blessing of Pakistan's military before attempting to improve ties with New Delhi
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Indonesia's presidential election
K-Pop not Islam
This year's Valentine's Day saw a presidential election in Indonesia, the world's third-largest democracy. Conservative-Islamic morals and panic-mongering tactics took a back seat on social media channels filled with music, cat videos…and elderly presidential hopefuls dancing
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Elections in Indonesia
World's third largest democracy at a crossroads
On 14 February 2024, some 205 million Indonesians are going to the polls to choose a new president as well as new national and regional parliaments. Over the past 25 years, the nation with the world's largest Muslim population has evolved into a stable democracy. Yet observers now fear autocratic tendencies
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DAVA party woos ethnic Turks
Germany fears the "Erdogan party"
For days, Germany has been discussing the emergence of a new party. Its name: DAVA. Critics say it is the extended arm of Turkish President Erdogan. Who is behind DAVA and what are its aims?
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Gaza and a world order in ruins
Stop the descent into the abyss!
The ongoing war between Israel and Hamas has dealt a crushing blow to our multilateral security system and threatens to alienate the entire Arab and Muslim world
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Pakistan election
Why are rural women more willing to vote?
During Pakistan's last election in 2018, women from five remote areas of the country were more likely to vote than anywhere else in the country, including big cities