https://mena-studies.org/formats/analysis/Recent content in Analysis on MENA Research CenterHugoen-GBThu, 05 Nov 2026 14:00:00 +0100https://mena-studies.org/libya-books-in-tripoli-troops-in-the-sahara/Thu, 05 Nov 2026 14:00:00 +0100https://mena-studies.org/libya-books-in-tripoli-troops-in-the-sahara/After a few days in Tripoli, Denys Kolesnyk argues that Libya’s future is increasingly being shaped in the Sahara and in foreign capitals, and that France has a role to play.https://mena-studies.org/why-the-us-strikes-failed-to-spark-an-iranian-uprising/Sun, 04 Oct 2026 16:12:38 +0200https://mena-studies.org/why-the-us-strikes-failed-to-spark-an-iranian-uprising/From December 2017 through December 2025, Iran experienced repeated waves of mass protest. Thousands of people were killed or later executed , yet none of these uprisings produced fundamental political change. In the aftermath of the latest protests, a…https://mena-studies.org/40-days-of-war-against-iran-the-limits-of-a-regionalized-conflict/Tue, 14 Apr 2026 12:53:00 +0200https://mena-studies.org/40-days-of-war-against-iran-the-limits-of-a-regionalized-conflict/After 40 days of war, the ceasefire announced on 7 April between the United States and Iran marks the end of a first phase, in a large-scale regional conflict with worldwide economic consequences. It is worth taking stock of each side’s objectives in this…https://mena-studies.org/on-world-health-day-war-is-the-greatest-threat-to-health/Tue, 07 Apr 2026 09:44:35 +0200https://mena-studies.org/on-world-health-day-war-is-the-greatest-threat-to-health/On World Health Day, Susan Hammond and Sera Koulabdara argue that the war in Iran, like other wars since 9/11, kills civilians, destroys health systems and leaves harm that lasts for generations.https://mena-studies.org/iran-and-the-great-deception/Wed, 24 Dec 2025 16:30:18 +0100https://mena-studies.org/iran-and-the-great-deception/Iran has never been a sincere ally of the Arabs. From the very beginnings of its regional project, it has practiced a great deception, using Arab blood as fuel for its international bargaining and turning Arab geography into mere pressure cards on negotiating…https://mena-studies.org/fragile-peace-in-israel-why-an-eruption-of-violence-is-only-a-matter-of-time/Mon, 15 Dec 2025 09:36:00 +0100https://mena-studies.org/fragile-peace-in-israel-why-an-eruption-of-violence-is-only-a-matter-of-time/Although Israel has carried out relentless military operations against Hamas for the past two years, the chances for lasting peace are extremely slim. On the contrary, it seems only a matter of time before violence erupts again. This time, not necessarily in…https://mena-studies.org/hijab-symbol-identity-or-instrument-of-conflict/Fri, 05 Dec 2025 10:07:00 +0100https://mena-studies.org/hijab-symbol-identity-or-instrument-of-conflict/No symbol in the history of Arab and Islamic societies has sparked more questions, debate, and controversy than the hijab. Not because it is merely a piece of cloth that determines what is revealed or concealed, but because it has, over time, become the point…https://mena-studies.org/iran-at-the-heart-of-global-transformations/Sat, 29 Nov 2025 09:53:00 +0100https://mena-studies.org/iran-at-the-heart-of-global-transformations/At the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, Iran once again emerged as one of the central topics in global discussions.https://mena-studies.org/khamenei-besieged-by-domestic-crises-and-regional-deadlocks/Sat, 22 Nov 2025 11:04:00 +0100https://mena-studies.org/khamenei-besieged-by-domestic-crises-and-regional-deadlocks/As the doctrine of Velayat-e Faqih enters its fifth decade, the system faces unprecedented challenges that seriously threaten its survival. At the center of these challenges stands Ali Khamenei himself, the leader of the clerical republic— not only the…https://mena-studies.org/the-voice-of-the-global-iranian-revolution-confronts-the-rule-of-the-supreme-leader/Sun, 16 Nov 2025 11:06:00 +0100https://mena-studies.org/the-voice-of-the-global-iranian-revolution-confronts-the-rule-of-the-supreme-leader/As the strategic setbacks suffered by Iran’s system of velayat-e faqih in the Middle East continue to unfold year after year, the demonstrations organized by the Iranian diaspora in New York in September 2025 have introduced new dimensions to the internal and…https://mena-studies.org/the-gender-dimensions-of-irans-water-crisis/Mon, 27 Oct 2025 15:21:00 +0100https://mena-studies.org/the-gender-dimensions-of-irans-water-crisis/Field reports from various districts in the Iranian capital, Tehran, indicate a sharp decline in water pressure, to the extent that even the first floors of residential buildings lack access to potable water. The Tehran Regional Water Company has instructed…https://mena-studies.org/democracy-as-blasphemy-and-criminality/Sun, 26 Oct 2025 15:43:23 +0100https://mena-studies.org/democracy-as-blasphemy-and-criminality/Democracy, in its noble theoretical meaning, is government of the people, by the people, and for the people — the fruit of centuries of struggle against tyranny and injustice. But when it is applied in societies lacking political, cultural, and scientific…https://mena-studies.org/polands-reckoning-with-migration-and-security/Fri, 24 Oct 2025 13:20:45 +0200https://mena-studies.org/polands-reckoning-with-migration-and-security/The problems of illegal migration and potential terrorist threats are relatively new phenomena in Poland. Until recently, Poland was a country of emigration. This was caused by the collapse of the Polish state at the end of the 18th century and the division…https://mena-studies.org/iran-on-the-edge-of-a-volcano/Thu, 23 Oct 2025 11:12:03 +0200https://mena-studies.org/iran-on-the-edge-of-a-volcano/Iran is witnessing decisive historic moments today, as internal tensions escalate and waves of popular protests continue to unfold — protests that reflect overwhelming anger against a tyrannical regime. These uprisings are not mere spontaneous reactions; they…https://mena-studies.org/the-civil-nature-of-the-state-in-islam/Sat, 18 Oct 2025 10:12:00 +0200https://mena-studies.org/the-civil-nature-of-the-state-in-islam/Amid the re-formulation of social contracts in the countries of the Arab Spring, there has been a call for a civil and democratic state—even from currents and parties of political Islam. Yet the question remains open regarding the possibility of applying…https://mena-studies.org/a-formal-indictment-of-the-iranian-regime/Sun, 12 Oct 2025 16:15:27 +0200https://mena-studies.org/a-formal-indictment-of-the-iranian-regime/When the world’s highest human rights authority abandons diplomatic language and describes a state’s actions as “a systematic pattern of using the death penalty as a tool of intimidation,” we have moved beyond political condemnation and entered the realm of…https://mena-studies.org/is-india-turning-its-back-on-the-united-states/Tue, 07 Oct 2025 16:09:55 +0200https://mena-studies.org/is-india-turning-its-back-on-the-united-states/When Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the United States shortly after Donald Trump assumed the presidency, the discussions were warm, marked by friendly gestures and promises of expanding trade. Yet, within six months, the scene had changed…https://mena-studies.org/islamist-attacker-of-solingen-sentenced-to-life-imprisonment/Mon, 06 Oct 2025 11:29:05 +0200https://mena-studies.org/islamist-attacker-of-solingen-sentenced-to-life-imprisonment/The Higher Regional Court in Düsseldorf has sentenced the Solingen knife attacker to life imprisonment for three counts of murder, ten counts of attempted murder, and membership in the terrorist organization “Islamic State” (IS). The court also determined the…https://mena-studies.org/suspicious-tunisian-charities-helped-fund-and-transport-over-6000-youths-to-iraq-and-syria-to-join-isis/Sun, 05 Oct 2025 11:19:02 +0200https://mena-studies.org/suspicious-tunisian-charities-helped-fund-and-transport-over-6000-youths-to-iraq-and-syria-to-join-isis/The High Authority for Administrative and Financial Oversight in Tunisia, in the section of its annual report concerning the funding of associations within the framework of international cooperation, confirmed that several charities—classified as “suspicious”…https://mena-studies.org/the-history-of-the-muslim-brotherhood-a-secret-armed-apparatus-assassinations-bombings-and-turning-jihad-into-a-political-tool/Fri, 03 Oct 2025 11:11:33 +0200https://mena-studies.org/the-history-of-the-muslim-brotherhood-a-secret-armed-apparatus-assassinations-bombings-and-turning-jihad-into-a-political-tool/A new research study by Deputy President of Egypt’s State Council, Justice Dr. Mohamed Abdel Wahab Khafagi, has once again shed light on the organizational and ideological foundations of the Muslim Brotherhood, confirming that the group, since its inception…https://mena-studies.org/civil-society-and-the-state-what-should-their-relationship-be/Thu, 02 Oct 2025 10:56:42 +0200https://mena-studies.org/civil-society-and-the-state-what-should-their-relationship-be/This paper explores the reasons behind the failed attempts to give birth to civil society institutions in our miserable East in general, and in Syria in particular. It also examines the nature of the relationship that should exist between political authority…https://mena-studies.org/lebanon-a-historic-day-in-court/Sat, 27 Sep 2025 14:29:00 +0200https://mena-studies.org/lebanon-a-historic-day-in-court/On a sweltering morning, something unusual unfolds in front of the Justice Palace in the centre of Lebanon’s capital Beirut: a group of men in suits steps out, calling the day “historic.” “We have filed a lawsuit against Naim Qassem. Ten years ago this would…https://mena-studies.org/islamism-versus-civil-society-in-turkey-and-brussels-pays-the-bill/Thu, 25 Sep 2025 11:25:00 +0200https://mena-studies.org/islamism-versus-civil-society-in-turkey-and-brussels-pays-the-bill/When Erdoğan came to power in 2002, he promised a “more advanced democracy.” Two decades later, that promise lies in ruins. Turkey’s political system has been stripped down to a crude majoritarian model, while every mechanism of democratic participation has…https://mena-studies.org/the-israeli-attack-exposes-the-fragility-of-the-iranian-russian-alliance/Wed, 24 Sep 2025 09:18:00 +0200https://mena-studies.org/the-israeli-attack-exposes-the-fragility-of-the-iranian-russian-alliance/Russian-Iranian relations are complex. While the two countries share broad opposition to Western influence, the balance of common, overlapping, and diverging interests is far more intricate than it appears. Despite the deepening of ties in recent years…https://mena-studies.org/islamism-in-europe-a-societal-challenge/Mon, 22 Sep 2025 11:38:00 +0200https://mena-studies.org/islamism-in-europe-a-societal-challenge/Since the terrorist attacks in New York, Madrid, London, and later Paris, Brussels, and Vienna, Europe has recognized Islamist extremism as one of its most pressing security challenges. While in the 1990s Islamist networks were largely seen as a marginal…https://mena-studies.org/frankfurts-center-for-global-islam-closes-its-doors/Fri, 19 Sep 2025 16:32:33 +0200https://mena-studies.org/frankfurts-center-for-global-islam-closes-its-doors/No protests outside, no security guards, no headlines about alleged racism or Islamophobia: with a conference on Islamism, the Center for Global Islam at Frankfurt’s Goethe University has bid farewell – after years of public controversy and internal strife.https://mena-studies.org/how-europe-could-put-economic-pressure-on-tehran/Thu, 18 Sep 2025 10:00:00 +0200https://mena-studies.org/how-europe-could-put-economic-pressure-on-tehran/Germany, France, and Britain have long anticipated last-minute interference from Moscow in their talks with Iran. Now, that scenario appears to be unfolding: according to reports, Russia has submitted a draft resolution to the UN Security Council seeking an…https://mena-studies.org/europes-blind-spot-the-muslim-brotherhood-and-political-islam/Tue, 16 Sep 2025 14:54:00 +0200https://mena-studies.org/europes-blind-spot-the-muslim-brotherhood-and-political-islam/Europe has debated political Islam for years, yet too often the conversation remains superficial. Radical terrorism, such as that of the so-called Islamic State, is immediately recognizable as a threat. The influence of the Muslim Brotherhood, however, is…https://mena-studies.org/imperial-phantom-pains-erdogan-putin-and-their-fantasies/Sun, 14 Sep 2025 12:23:29 +0200https://mena-studies.org/imperial-phantom-pains-erdogan-putin-and-their-fantasies/On an autumn evening in 2023, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan stood before his supporters and spoke of Gaza. For Turkey, he declared, this embattled strip of land was no different from Adana, a sprawling city in the country’s south. The remark stuck—not for its…https://mena-studies.org/islamism-in-italy-a-status-report/Mon, 08 Sep 2025 09:20:00 +0200https://mena-studies.org/islamism-in-italy-a-status-report/Since the late 1980s, Italy—above all Milan—has served as a logistical hub for jihadist activities. The Islamic Cultural Institute (ICI) became, over decades, a base for networks such as al-Gama’a al-Islāmiyya. From there, financial flows, fake passport…https://mena-studies.org/the-mullah-regime-and-europes-dilemma/Fri, 05 Sep 2025 09:15:00 +0200https://mena-studies.org/the-mullah-regime-and-europes-dilemma/Three months after the war with Israel, Tehran projects an air of calm. The scars are visible—collapsed floors in the north, missile strikes downtown, a damaged state broadcaster. Yet in the streets, silence reigns. People have learned to keep quiet: out of…https://mena-studies.org/russia-and-iran-aligned-in-foreign-policy/Thu, 04 Sep 2025 13:00:06 +0200https://mena-studies.org/russia-and-iran-aligned-in-foreign-policy/The White House hailed it as a “historic peace agreement” — a joint declaration signed by U.S. President Donald Trump, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. Moscow, however, described the event merely as a “meeting…https://mena-studies.org/new-research-on-radical-islamism-in-germany/Wed, 03 Sep 2025 10:23:00 +0200https://mena-studies.org/new-research-on-radical-islamism-in-germany/For more than two decades, Germany has wrestled with the threat of Islamist terrorism. But how many attacks actually occurred, what answers did politics provide – and what price has society paid for the expansion of state security?https://mena-studies.org/growing-up-with-americas-longest-war/Tue, 02 Sep 2025 10:16:00 +0200https://mena-studies.org/growing-up-with-americas-longest-war/Four years ago, the U.S. military completed its withdrawal from Afghanistan on August 30, 2021, after a 20-year presence. It marked the end of America’s longest war.https://mena-studies.org/lebanon-once-again-at-a-crossroads/Mon, 01 Sep 2025 10:15:00 +0200https://mena-studies.org/lebanon-once-again-at-a-crossroads/While debates were still underway in Beirut’s presidential palace over whether Hezbollah’s disarmament should even be on the agenda, the spokesperson of the Iran-backed militia, Naim Kassim, appeared on television. “We cannot accept that Lebanon gradually…https://mena-studies.org/scandals-surrounding-muslim-brotherhood-lobbying-in-europe/Sun, 31 Aug 2025 09:19:00 +0200https://mena-studies.org/scandals-surrounding-muslim-brotherhood-lobbying-in-europe/A report commissioned by the EU leadership on Islamophobia — intended to serve as a foundation for policy measures — has sparked intense debate. Critics point not only to methodological flaws but also to political influence over its content.https://mena-studies.org/irans-terror-groups-in-the-west/Tue, 19 Aug 2025 09:57:00 +0200https://mena-studies.org/irans-terror-groups-in-the-west/Iranian intelligence services are systematically intensifying their activities against regime critics, journalists, politicians, and activists in Europe and the United States. A current case illustrates this escalation: Belgian parliamentarian Darya Safai…https://mena-studies.org/secularism-is-the-solution-without-another-choice/Mon, 18 Aug 2025 09:42:00 +0200https://mena-studies.org/secularism-is-the-solution-without-another-choice/The idea of separating religion from the state in the West did not emerge out of hostility to religion, as opponents of secularism ignorantly claim—or falsely and deliberately slander. Rather, it was a direct response to a catastrophic and complex reality…https://mena-studies.org/in-the-grip-of-the-grey-wolves/Sun, 17 Aug 2025 09:29:00 +0200https://mena-studies.org/in-the-grip-of-the-grey-wolves/When Turkish national footballer Merih Demiral flashed the “wolf salute” during the 2024 European Championship, it sparked heated debate. The hand sign is the emblem of the far-right “Grey Wolves.” For Green politician Cem Özdemir, it is not a marker of…https://mena-studies.org/new-tension-between-france-and-algeria-deal-a-deadly-blow-to-economic-relations/Fri, 15 Aug 2025 09:25:00 +0200https://mena-studies.org/new-tension-between-france-and-algeria-deal-a-deadly-blow-to-economic-relations/Several French business owners operating in Algeria have launched what amounts to a cry for help to save their businesses from collapse amid the growing tensions between the two countries in recent months. Two French parliamentarians who recently visited…https://mena-studies.org/migrant-boat-sinkings-has-libya-turned-from-a-gateway-of-hope-into-gate-to-hades/Fri, 15 Aug 2025 09:14:00 +0200https://mena-studies.org/migrant-boat-sinkings-has-libya-turned-from-a-gateway-of-hope-into-gate-to-hades/Last week, the Italian coast guard announced that at least 26 people had died after a boat carrying migrants from Libya capsized off the island of Lampedusa. They noted that 60 others were rescued and brought ashore, while stressing that the toll was…https://mena-studies.org/us-secretary-of-state-rubio-muslim-brotherhood-in-our-sights/Thu, 14 Aug 2025 09:20:00 +0200https://mena-studies.org/us-secretary-of-state-rubio-muslim-brotherhood-in-our-sights/Yesterday, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced in a radio interview with Sid Rosenberg that the US government is actively considering designating the Muslim Brotherhood as a terrorist organization. He emphasized that “everything is in motion” and…https://mena-studies.org/inside-the-muslim-brotherhoods-digital-brigades/Thu, 14 Aug 2025 09:03:00 +0200https://mena-studies.org/inside-the-muslim-brotherhoods-digital-brigades/The Muslim Brotherhood exploits cyberspace and social media platforms to implement its ideological and organizational schemes, relying on a systematic strategy aimed at spreading its extremist ideology and recruiting new members. This is done through what is…https://mena-studies.org/a-new-wave-of-censorship-looms-in-turkey/Wed, 13 Aug 2025 08:38:00 +0200https://mena-studies.org/a-new-wave-of-censorship-looms-in-turkey/Turkey’s strongman Recep Tayyip Erdoğan is not among the twelve million citizens who regularly use Spotify. At least, he has never given the impression that he spends mornings browsing playlists. Yet even for him, the platform offers something: his supporters…https://mena-studies.org/ecj-sets-strict-limits-on-restrictive-asylum-policies/Mon, 11 Aug 2025 08:43:00 +0200https://mena-studies.org/ecj-sets-strict-limits-on-restrictive-asylum-policies/Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has suffered a major setback for her flagship migration policy. The European Court of Justice (ECJ) in Luxembourg has ruled that Italy cannot simply transfer asylum seekers to Albania and process their applications there…https://mena-studies.org/political-islam-in-france-between-secularism-security-and-social-division/Sun, 10 Aug 2025 11:33:00 +0200https://mena-studies.org/political-islam-in-france-between-secularism-security-and-social-division/France stands at a crossroads. The decades-long debate around political Islam has become a central social and political issue—shaped by concerns about security, integration challenges, and the defense of republican values centered on laïcité (secularism).…https://mena-studies.org/syria-muslim-brotherhood-in-crisis/Thu, 07 Aug 2025 17:16:39 +0200https://mena-studies.org/syria-muslim-brotherhood-in-crisis/Syria has long held special significance for the Muslim Brotherhood — not merely as a key regional arena, but as one of the earliest countries where the movement took root after its ideological founding in Egypt in 1928 by Hassan al-Banna. The Brotherhood…https://mena-studies.org/muslim-brotherhood-a-terrorist-organization-where-did-rubio-begin-and-what-are-next-steps/Thu, 07 Aug 2025 17:07:00 +0200https://mena-studies.org/muslim-brotherhood-a-terrorist-organization-where-did-rubio-begin-and-what-are-next-steps/In a radio interview (Sid & Friends in the Morning) published on the State Department’s website, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that the designation of the Muslim Brotherhood as a terrorist organisation is currently underway, while hinting at…https://mena-studies.org/islamism-in-the-gulf-states-between-reforms-security-pressures-and-geopolitical-tensions/Wed, 06 Aug 2025 10:51:00 +0200https://mena-studies.org/islamism-in-the-gulf-states-between-reforms-security-pressures-and-geopolitical-tensions/The Gulf states—key players in global geopolitics and energy security—find themselves walking a constant tightrope. On one hand, they pursue societal modernization and economic diversification; on the other, Islamist movements continue to pose a tangible…https://mena-studies.org/the-symbol-of-repression-in-turkey/Mon, 04 Aug 2025 10:02:00 +0200https://mena-studies.org/the-symbol-of-repression-in-turkey/“In Silivri it’s cold” is a catchphrase in Turkey – a piece of dark humor of the kind that flourishes in autocracies. It usually comes up when someone makes a joke about the president or the government. “Brother, remember the cold in Silivri,” someone might…https://mena-studies.org/iranian-opposition-conference-in-italy-a-report/Sun, 03 Aug 2025 09:57:32 +0200https://mena-studies.org/iranian-opposition-conference-in-italy-a-report/On July 30 and 31, two conferences were held in Italy with the participation of Mrs. Maryam Rajavi and a number of prominent European figures. Several key speakers gave speeches at the event, which focused on the following themes:https://mena-studies.org/qatar-and-iran-a-risky-relationship/Sat, 02 Aug 2025 17:12:54 +0200https://mena-studies.org/qatar-and-iran-a-risky-relationship/It was one of the most unusual military attacks in recent history: Iran launched a dozen missiles at the Gulf state of Qatar—specifically targeting the U.S. air base at Al Udeid. Yet at the same time, Tehran appeared intent on preventing any real damage.…https://mena-studies.org/islamism-vs-islam-between-legitimate-concerns-and-blanket-prejudices/Fri, 01 Aug 2025 17:08:16 +0200https://mena-studies.org/islamism-vs-islam-between-legitimate-concerns-and-blanket-prejudices/Germany’s new government promises to fight Islamism. But while extremist ideologies pose a real threat, millions of Muslims have long been living as a natural part of German society.https://mena-studies.org/strikes-on-irans-nuclear-program-a-violation-of-international-law/Sun, 27 Jul 2025 09:20:00 +0200https://mena-studies.org/strikes-on-irans-nuclear-program-a-violation-of-international-law/Following the massive airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities—carried out with U.S. support for Israel—a longstanding legal debate has gained new urgency: Were core principles of international law violated, or can the attack be justified under existing legal…https://mena-studies.org/22-year-prison-sentence-for-the-sheikh-of-jihadists-in-tunisia/Fri, 25 Jul 2025 13:48:00 +0200https://mena-studies.org/22-year-prison-sentence-for-the-sheikh-of-jihadists-in-tunisia/Khatib Al-Idrissi Urged Young People to Join Terrorist Organizations and Fight in Iraq and Syriahttps://mena-studies.org/ali-khamenei-from-follower-to-absolute-ruler/Sun, 20 Jul 2025 08:50:00 +0200https://mena-studies.org/ali-khamenei-from-follower-to-absolute-ruler/For 36 years, Ali Khamenei has clung to power with an iron grip, keeping the Islamic Republic of Iran alive through repression and control. Not once in that time has he left the country. In moments of existential threat, he sheds the usual religious rhetoric…https://mena-studies.org/french-club-presidents-complaints-and-accusations-of-corruption-and-money-laundering/Fri, 18 Jul 2025 08:36:00 +0200https://mena-studies.org/french-club-presidents-complaints-and-accusations-of-corruption-and-money-laundering/On Friday, July 4, 2025, the French anti-corruption association Anticor filed a complaint against several sports club presidents. The complaint primarily concerns allegations of corruption and money laundering within the sports sector.https://mena-studies.org/what-is-the-fate-of-european-influence-in-the-middle-east/Wed, 16 Jul 2025 08:31:00 +0200https://mena-studies.org/what-is-the-fate-of-european-influence-in-the-middle-east/Europe has long played a pivotal role in the modern history of the Middle East, particularly in carving it up into states and entities during the British and French mandates. Even after the colonial era ended, European influence remained strong, shaping…https://mena-studies.org/what-are-saudi-arabias-goals-in-syria/Mon, 14 Jul 2025 10:43:00 +0200https://mena-studies.org/what-are-saudi-arabias-goals-in-syria/Saudi Arabia is playing an increasingly prominent role in rehabilitating Syria and reintegrating it into the international community, especially following the rise of a new government with foreign policy priorities markedly different from those of former…https://mena-studies.org/militias-hamper-libyas-stability/Sat, 12 Jul 2025 10:02:00 +0200https://mena-studies.org/militias-hamper-libyas-stability/Recurring clashes between armed groups in Libya repeatedly bring the issue of militias back to the forefront—an entrenched and chronic problem that continues to gnaw away at Libya’s body and obstruct the establishment of stability in the country.https://mena-studies.org/eu-foreign-ministers-without-a-clear-course-divisions-over-israel-deepen/Thu, 10 Jul 2025 16:56:00 +0200https://mena-studies.org/eu-foreign-ministers-without-a-clear-course-divisions-over-israel-deepen/After a two-hour video conference on the escalating Middle East conflict, the verdict from the EU’s new foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas was sobering: the main outcome was coordination on evacuating EU citizens. When asked whether the EU had discussed…https://mena-studies.org/turkey-the-imamoglu-case-resistance-under-pressure/Tue, 08 Jul 2025 12:04:00 +0200https://mena-studies.org/turkey-the-imamoglu-case-resistance-under-pressure/Ekrem İmamoğlu, elected mayor of Istanbul, presidential hopeful, and the most prominent challenger to Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, is now arguably the most well-known political prisoner in Turkey. The state is pursuing multiple legal cases against him. The latest…https://mena-studies.org/egypt-moves-to-contain-the-border-triangle-crisis/Tue, 08 Jul 2025 11:47:00 +0200https://mena-studies.org/egypt-moves-to-contain-the-border-triangle-crisis/The visit of Sudan’s Sovereign Council Chairman, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, to Cairo coincided with the arrival of the Commander of the Libyan National Army, Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar. The simultaneous presence of both leaders in the Egyptian capital comes as…https://mena-studies.org/iran-and-israel-after-the-storm-a-fragile-victory-for-all-a-strategic-loss-for-some/Mon, 07 Jul 2025 11:55:00 +0200https://mena-studies.org/iran-and-israel-after-the-storm-a-fragile-victory-for-all-a-strategic-loss-for-some/Nearly two weeks of open warfare between Israel and Iran with a brief but significant intervention by the United States seem to have come to an end. All three players involved, namely the US, Iran, and Israel, have declared total victory. This odd convergence…https://mena-studies.org/demographic-inoculation-a-destructive-tool-in-the-hands-of-politicians-syria-as-a-model/Sun, 06 Jul 2025 11:50:00 +0200https://mena-studies.org/demographic-inoculation-a-destructive-tool-in-the-hands-of-politicians-syria-as-a-model/Social change is a natural phenomenon that societies undergo over time. However, when this change becomes systematic and orchestrated by governments, it turns into a political tool aimed at reshaping the population composition to serve specific objectives.https://mena-studies.org/german-court-sends-a-signal-against-impunity/Sat, 05 Jul 2025 11:45:00 +0200https://mena-studies.org/german-court-sends-a-signal-against-impunity/With his head bowed, Syrian doctor Alaa M. listened as the verdict was read out. After nearly three and a half years of proceedings, the Higher Regional Court in Frankfurt, Germany sentenced the 40-year-old orthopedic and trauma surgeon to life imprisonment…https://mena-studies.org/wave-of-islamist-inspired-knife-attacks-investigators-warn-of-copycat-effect-and-online-radicalization/Thu, 03 Jul 2025 14:14:00 +0200https://mena-studies.org/wave-of-islamist-inspired-knife-attacks-investigators-warn-of-copycat-effect-and-online-radicalization/In recent months, a series of suspected Islamist-motivated knife attacks have shaken several cities across Germany. The incidents raise pressing questions about possible connections between perpetrators, ideological motives – and even foreign interference.…https://mena-studies.org/turkey-moves-to-censor-theology-diyanet-granted-power-over-quranic-interpretations/Wed, 02 Jul 2025 14:02:00 +0200https://mena-studies.org/turkey-moves-to-censor-theology-diyanet-granted-power-over-quranic-interpretations/Turkey’s state-run religious authority, the Diyanet, will now have the final say over which interpretations of the Quran are permitted in the country—and which are not. A new law published in the official gazette grants the institution sweeping censorship…https://mena-studies.org/abdullah-ibhais-the-whistleblower-the-fifa-let-down/Tue, 01 Jul 2025 10:00:00 +0200https://mena-studies.org/abdullah-ibhais-the-whistleblower-the-fifa-let-down/After nearly three years in prison, Abdullah Ibhais is finally free. The former media manager for Qatar’s World Cup organizing committee had exposed abuses in the treatment of migrant workers in 2019—and was subsequently declared an enemy of the state. His…https://mena-studies.org/algeria-strengthens-fight-against-money-laundering-and-financing-terrorism-financing/Mon, 30 Jun 2025 12:50:07 +0200https://mena-studies.org/algeria-strengthens-fight-against-money-laundering-and-financing-terrorism-financing/The European Commission has placed the Algerian government on its list of “high-risk countries” subject to increased scrutiny over financial corruption. While Algeria has suggested that France may have influenced the EU decision due to ongoing political…https://mena-studies.org/the-dangers-of-ideological-rigidity-in-islam/Mon, 30 Jun 2025 12:20:00 +0200https://mena-studies.org/the-dangers-of-ideological-rigidity-in-islam/This article explores the dangers of ideological rigidity and the critical importance of accepting opposing viewpoints. It draws a parallel between psychological entrapment and political intransigence by using the historical example of Abu Lahab—the Prophet…https://mena-studies.org/frances-palestine-offensive-macrons-risky-bet-for-a-new-middle-east-peace-process/Sun, 29 Jun 2025 13:55:00 +0200https://mena-studies.org/frances-palestine-offensive-macrons-risky-bet-for-a-new-middle-east-peace-process/As the Middle East conflict deepens and Gaza lies in ruins, France is attempting a bold and high-stakes diplomatic initiative. Co-hosted with Saudi Arabia, the Palestine Conference held in New York from June 17 to 20 aimed for nothing less than a breakthrough…https://mena-studies.org/wagners-withdrawal-from-mali-a-move-that-serves-algerias-security-interests-while-raising-mauritanias-fears/Sun, 29 Jun 2025 10:43:00 +0200https://mena-studies.org/wagners-withdrawal-from-mali-a-move-that-serves-algerias-security-interests-while-raising-mauritanias-fears/Algerian security sources have confirmed that the military agreement signed between Algeria and the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) played a decisive role in ending the presence of Russia’s Wagner paramilitary group in Mali. Wagner officially announced…https://mena-studies.org/has-hitler-returned-with-a-beard/Sat, 28 Jun 2025 09:01:00 +0200https://mena-studies.org/has-hitler-returned-with-a-beard/Totalitarianism is not merely a form of government; it is an intellectual and psychological system that engineers humans and societies in favor of an absolute authority. This authority tolerates neither criticism nor plurality. As many political theorists…https://mena-studies.org/former-muslim-brotherhood-members-expose-its-destructive-agenda-in-wave-of-new-books/Fri, 27 Jun 2025 08:34:00 +0200https://mena-studies.org/former-muslim-brotherhood-members-expose-its-destructive-agenda-in-wave-of-new-books/In recent months, Egyptian publishing houses have seen a surge in memoirs and exposés written by former leaders and long-time members of the Muslim Brotherhood who eventually broke away from the organization. These publications unveil the inner workings of a…https://mena-studies.org/libya-and-egypt-warn-against-violations-of-sovereignty/Thu, 26 Jun 2025 08:18:00 +0200https://mena-studies.org/libya-and-egypt-warn-against-violations-of-sovereignty/On June 11, 2025, Sudan’s paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) announced their control over the “border triangle” region—an area where the borders of Sudan, Egypt, and Libya converge. The declaration has raised serious questions about the evolving dynamics…https://mena-studies.org/tunisia-strategic-partner-or-authoritarian-liability-for-europe/Wed, 25 Jun 2025 08:15:00 +0200https://mena-studies.org/tunisia-strategic-partner-or-authoritarian-liability-for-europe/Tunisia is not just another partner for the European Union along the southern Mediterranean rim. The North African country plays a central role in Europe’s migration and security policy. Since July 2023, Brussels has relied on a €900 million partnership with…https://mena-studies.org/irans-military-budget-a-tool-for-internal-suppression-or-external-aggression/Mon, 23 Jun 2025 07:54:00 +0200https://mena-studies.org/irans-military-budget-a-tool-for-internal-suppression-or-external-aggression/Iran’s military budget has long been shrouded in opacity. While the country’s national budget is publicly presented each year before the Iranian Parliament, the military’s financial footprint hides deeper layers that even seasoned military and economic…https://mena-studies.org/the-iranian-nuclear-program-a-strategic-threat-cloaked-in-civilian-disguise/Sat, 21 Jun 2025 11:14:00 +0200https://mena-studies.org/the-iranian-nuclear-program-a-strategic-threat-cloaked-in-civilian-disguise/The newly uncovered “Qevir Plan”—a revamped version of Iran’s nuclear project—signals a strategic evolution in the regime’s methods, which now rely heavily on blending military and civilian activities to evade international scrutiny. According to the latest…https://mena-studies.org/united-kingdom-labour-adopts-farages-rhetoric-new-immigration-laws-echo-populist-demands/Fri, 20 Jun 2025 08:23:00 +0200https://mena-studies.org/united-kingdom-labour-adopts-farages-rhetoric-new-immigration-laws-echo-populist-demands/From welcoming to walling off: With its new immigration white paper, Britain’s Labour government under Prime Minister Keir Starmer is taking a hard turn—and adopting both the tone and demands of right-wing populists.https://mena-studies.org/egypt-is-this-how-you-repay-loyalty-sisi/Thu, 19 Jun 2025 09:58:00 +0200https://mena-studies.org/egypt-is-this-how-you-repay-loyalty-sisi/In a provocative and widely perceived betrayal of Arab consensus, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi welcomed Iran’s Foreign Minister to Cairo earlier this month—officially opening Egypt’s doors to a sectarian regime long accused of fueling bloodshed…https://mena-studies.org/debate-or-dispute/Wed, 18 Jun 2025 14:10:00 +0200https://mena-studies.org/debate-or-dispute/Observing the dynamics of public discourse—whether in social circles or among high-profile individuals on television—it becomes evident that there is often a conflation between opinion and personal identity. This overlap leads to a fundamental problem: the…https://mena-studies.org/show-trials-in-turkey-the-repression-of-the-chp-takes-an-authoritarian-turn/Tue, 17 Jun 2025 14:11:00 +0200https://mena-studies.org/show-trials-in-turkey-the-repression-of-the-chp-takes-an-authoritarian-turn/They are images more familiar from mafia trials or authoritarian regimes: dozens of men in handcuffs, marching in single file, held by police officers on both arms—paraded through the gates of a courthouse before rolling cameras. But these are not suspected…https://mena-studies.org/racism-a-global-pandemic/Mon, 16 Jun 2025 13:59:00 +0200https://mena-studies.org/racism-a-global-pandemic/Summary: In a world undergoing rapid and profound transformations, racism has emerged as one of the most dangerous social pandemics threatening societal cohesion and civil peace. This phenomenon is no longer confined to isolated events; it has become a…https://mena-studies.org/between-partnership-and-enmity-the-complex-history-of-israeli-iranian-relations/Sat, 14 Jun 2025 09:44:00 +0200https://mena-studies.org/between-partnership-and-enmity-the-complex-history-of-israeli-iranian-relations/Today, Israel and Iran rank among the fiercest rivals in the Middle East. Their mutual hostility is marked by sharp rhetoric, proxy conflicts, and a tense security situation with global implications. However, this deep-rooted confrontation has not always…https://mena-studies.org/tunisian-efforts-to-mediate-libyan-dialogue/Fri, 13 Jun 2025 11:24:00 +0200https://mena-studies.org/tunisian-efforts-to-mediate-libyan-dialogue/Amid the recent clashes in Tripoli and heightened tensions on the Libyan scene, Tunisia has reemerged as a diplomatic actor proposing itself as a neutral ground for reconciliation. During its participation in the Arab League Summit held in Baghdad, the…https://mena-studies.org/turkeys-energy-ambitions-in-post-war-syria/Thu, 12 Jun 2025 11:01:00 +0200https://mena-studies.org/turkeys-energy-ambitions-in-post-war-syria/Over the past two decades, Turkey’s foreign policy has undergone a significant transformation—particularly in the Eastern Mediterranean. This shift has largely been driven by mounting discoveries of natural gas, prompting Ankara to prioritize maritime…https://mena-studies.org/the-cost-of-weakness-irans-air-defense-failures-in-the-face-of-israel/Wed, 11 Jun 2025 10:59:00 +0200https://mena-studies.org/the-cost-of-weakness-irans-air-defense-failures-in-the-face-of-israel/The large-scale Israeli airstrike carried out in multiple waves during the night of June 12-13, 2025, targeting numerous sites across Iran, marks a new and dangerous chapter in the long-standing conflict between these sworn enemies — one that appears to be…https://mena-studies.org/islamist-axis-the-ideological-convergence-of-the-muslim-brotherhood-and-irans-clerical-regime/Wed, 11 Jun 2025 08:40:00 +0200https://mena-studies.org/islamist-axis-the-ideological-convergence-of-the-muslim-brotherhood-and-irans-clerical-regime/Although they appear at first glance as opposites—on one side the Sunni Muslim Brotherhood, on the other the Shiite regime in Tehran—the two movements share far more than what divides them. Amid escalating geopolitical tensions, the ideological proximity…https://mena-studies.org/egypt-withdraws-from-africa-peace-3-military-exercises-as-diplomatic-crisis-deepens-between-tunisia-and-morocco/Tue, 10 Jun 2025 10:53:00 +0200https://mena-studies.org/egypt-withdraws-from-africa-peace-3-military-exercises-as-diplomatic-crisis-deepens-between-tunisia-and-morocco/Informed sources have confirmed that the Arab Republic of Egypt has decided not to participate in the “Africa Peace 3” military exercises hosted by Algeria between May 21 and 27, 2025. The decision follows Cairo’s discovery that the Polisario Front was…https://mena-studies.org/islamism-in-europe-how-the-gaza-war-is-stress-testing-european-security/Mon, 09 Jun 2025 10:50:00 +0200https://mena-studies.org/islamism-in-europe-how-the-gaza-war-is-stress-testing-european-security/With each new escalation in the Middle East, the threat landscape in Europe grows more volatile. The Gaza war is not only shaping diplomatic relations and domestic debates, but also serving as a strategic platform for Islamist networks across the continent.…https://mena-studies.org/north-korean-troop-deployment-in-ukraine-a-game-changer-in-the-war/Fri, 06 Jun 2025 10:18:00 +0200https://mena-studies.org/north-korean-troop-deployment-in-ukraine-a-game-changer-in-the-war/For the first time, Russia has officially acknowledged the deployment of North Korean soldiers in its war against Ukraine. In a meeting with President Vladimir Putin, the Russian Chief of General Staff praised the “bravery” and “heroism” of North Korean…https://mena-studies.org/between-mediation-and-discord-the-european-union-in-the-gaza-conflict/Thu, 05 Jun 2025 09:42:00 +0200https://mena-studies.org/between-mediation-and-discord-the-european-union-in-the-gaza-conflict/Since the massive outbreak of violence between Israel and Hamas on October 7, 2023, the European Union has been struggling to find a common position on handling the Gaza conflict. While some member states grant Israel the unrestricted right to self-defense…https://mena-studies.org/labour-tightens-immigration-policy-language-tests-for-dependants-end-of-overseas-recruitment-in-care-sector/Wed, 04 Jun 2025 10:59:00 +0200https://mena-studies.org/labour-tightens-immigration-policy-language-tests-for-dependants-end-of-overseas-recruitment-in-care-sector/The British government under Prime Minister Keir Starmer is planning far-reaching reforms of its immigration system. Adult dependants of foreign workers will be required to pass English language tests, and care homes will no longer be allowed to recruit staff…https://mena-studies.org/the-eus-middle-east-dilemma/Tue, 03 Jun 2025 08:56:00 +0200https://mena-studies.org/the-eus-middle-east-dilemma/A powerful message echoed through the streets of Brussels recently: over 20,000 people marched through the Belgian capital, demanding an end to the bloodshed in Gaza and calling on the European Union to take a tougher stance against Israel. Their demands were…https://mena-studies.org/a-president-as-businessman-in-the-gulf/Mon, 02 Jun 2025 09:51:00 +0200https://mena-studies.org/a-president-as-businessman-in-the-gulf/Donald Trump remains true to form—especially on the world stage. Unlike previous U.S. presidents, who traditionally chose neighbors like Canada or Mexico, or close allies like the UK, for their first foreign trip, Trump once again made Saudi Arabia his first…https://mena-studies.org/saudi-arabia-hits-the-investment-brakes-the-pif-faces-a-reality-check/Sun, 01 Jun 2025 11:09:00 +0200https://mena-studies.org/saudi-arabia-hits-the-investment-brakes-the-pif-faces-a-reality-check/Saudi Arabia’s powerful sovereign wealth fund, the Public Investment Fund (PIF), is undergoing a major strategic course correction—a quiet but consequential shift taking place behind the scenes in Riyadh. Insiders speak of a sweeping recalibration of…https://mena-studies.org/the-other-face-of-terror-political-jurisprudence/Thu, 29 May 2025 18:00:00 +0200https://mena-studies.org/the-other-face-of-terror-political-jurisprudence/The prophetic saying “Islam wipes out what came before it” is far from a passing remark—it has been recited, adopted, and handed down across generations and exploited repeatedly to justify bloodshed and political violence. Historical figures, including…https://mena-studies.org/gulf-rulers-are-feeling-uneasy/Sat, 24 May 2025 17:57:00 +0200https://mena-studies.org/gulf-rulers-are-feeling-uneasy/At first, the atmosphere was one of polite celebration. At a reception in Abu Dhabi marking Israel’s Independence Day, Yossi Shelly, Israel’s ambassador to the United Arab Emirates, addressed his guests with carefully chosen words that echoed the official…https://mena-studies.org/the-plos-power-carousel/Fri, 23 May 2025 17:23:00 +0200https://mena-studies.org/the-plos-power-carousel/When Yasser Arafat died in a military hospital in Paris on November 11, 2004, it took barely seven hours for the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) to appoint his successor: Mahmoud Abbas. Then 68 years old, Abbas stepped into…https://mena-studies.org/mass-prison-outbreak-in-tripoli-over-3200-inmates-escape-amid-clashes-including-isis-commander/Thu, 22 May 2025 16:47:00 +0200https://mena-studies.org/mass-prison-outbreak-in-tripoli-over-3200-inmates-escape-amid-clashes-including-isis-commander/Recent armed clashes in the Libyan capital have led to widespread casualties and significant damage to public and private property. In one of the most alarming developments, a mass prison break occurred at Al-Jdeida Prison in Tripoli, where hundreds of…https://mena-studies.org/turkey-the-future-of-the-akp-will-be-decided-in-anatolia/Wed, 21 May 2025 13:18:00 +0200https://mena-studies.org/turkey-the-future-of-the-akp-will-be-decided-in-anatolia/Konya – for many in Turkey, the name of this central Anatolian city stands for more than just a geographic location. It is a symbol of conservative values, religious piety, and unwavering loyalty to the ruling AKP. Konya evokes images of Mevlana Jalaluddin…https://mena-studies.org/out-out-protests-against-hamas-in-the-gaza-strip/Tue, 20 May 2025 13:15:00 +0200https://mena-studies.org/out-out-protests-against-hamas-in-the-gaza-strip/It may have been only a few hundred people, perhaps a few thousand. But their chant was unmistakable: “Barra, barra” – “Out, out,” they shouted in the streets of Gaza. Their message was directed at Hamas, which has ruled the enclave with an iron fist since…https://mena-studies.org/sudanese-refugees-in-chad-overcrowded-camps-scarce-food-and-a-humanitarian-system-on-the-brink/Sat, 17 May 2025 17:15:00 +0200https://mena-studies.org/sudanese-refugees-in-chad-overcrowded-camps-scarce-food-and-a-humanitarian-system-on-the-brink/The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has issued a grave warning about the rapidly rising number of Sudanese refugees fleeing into eastern Chad. In a recent statement, the UN agency called for urgent international solidarity and immediate…https://mena-studies.org/return-to-syria/Thu, 15 May 2025 17:04:00 +0200https://mena-studies.org/return-to-syria/How to deal with Syria and Syrian refugees after the fall of the Assad regime remains a complicated issue for the new German government. Although the number of asylum applications from Syrians has dropped significantly, they still top the asylum statistics…https://mena-studies.org/islamophobia-in-france/Tue, 13 May 2025 15:18:00 +0200https://mena-studies.org/islamophobia-in-france/A horrifying crime has shaken France — once again confronting the Republic with difficult questions about hatred, integration, and social cohesion. In La Grand-Combe, a small and until now relatively quiet town in the southern département of Gard with around…https://mena-studies.org/tunisian-authorities-dismantle-african-migrant-camps-tunisia-will-not-be-a-transit-or-settlement-country/Mon, 12 May 2025 15:11:00 +0200https://mena-studies.org/tunisian-authorities-dismantle-african-migrant-camps-tunisia-will-not-be-a-transit-or-settlement-country/Tunisian security forces have begun dismantling makeshift camps sheltering sub-Saharan African migrants in the town of Al-Amra, in the Sfax governorate, home to around 7,000 undocumented migrants. The move comes as part of a broader government strategy to…https://mena-studies.org/syrian-female-detainees-a-tragedy-beyond-imagination/Sun, 11 May 2025 13:35:00 +0200https://mena-studies.org/syrian-female-detainees-a-tragedy-beyond-imagination/Human rights reports have documented hundreds of cases of sexual violence against women in Syrian regime prisons. According to the Syrian Network for Human Rights, over 5,400 women, including 1,200 university students, were arrested between March 2011 and…https://mena-studies.org/the-european-union-and-the-dictatorship-in-tunis/Sat, 10 May 2025 13:02:00 +0200https://mena-studies.org/the-european-union-and-the-dictatorship-in-tunis/Tunisia is not just another third country for the European Union – it is a geopolitically significant partner on the southern Mediterranean border. The EU’s cooperation with President Kaïs Saïed, agreed in 2023 and valued at up to €900 million, serves…https://mena-studies.org/frances-president-and-the-right-path-in-the-middle-east/Fri, 09 May 2025 12:58:00 +0200https://mena-studies.org/frances-president-and-the-right-path-in-the-middle-east/Emmanuel Macron chooses his words carefully—cautious, tentative, full of subjunctives. Anything else would seem reckless given the explosive situation in the Middle East. And yet, the initiative the French president launched on his return trip from Egypt is…https://mena-studies.org/libyan-diplomacy-reform-or-power-play/Thu, 08 May 2025 08:55:00 +0200https://mena-studies.org/libyan-diplomacy-reform-or-power-play/In a controversial move raising both praise and suspicion, Libya’s interim Prime Minister Abdulhamid Dbeibah has announced a sweeping reorganization of the country’s foreign missions, the suspension of government-funded foreign study programs, and the review…https://mena-studies.org/balkans-afghan-criminal-group-terrorizes-migrants/Wed, 07 May 2025 13:23:00 +0200https://mena-studies.org/balkans-afghan-criminal-group-terrorizes-migrants/Along the border between Bosnia and Herzegovina and the EU and Schengen member state Croatia, an Afghan gang is reportedly operating with brutal violence against migrants and asylum seekers. The group, whose members hold residence permits from countries such…https://mena-studies.org/new-charges-against-imamoglu/Tue, 06 May 2025 13:19:00 +0200https://mena-studies.org/new-charges-against-imamoglu/The latest trial against prominent opposition politician and Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu lasted less than an hour before the judge postponed further proceedings to June 16. “I’m here because I won the Istanbul elections three times,” İmamoğlu reportedly…https://mena-studies.org/jordan-moves-to-ban-muslim-brotherhood-activities/Sun, 04 May 2025 12:40:00 +0200https://mena-studies.org/jordan-moves-to-ban-muslim-brotherhood-activities/The Arab monarchy of Jordan has announced its intention to impose a comprehensive ban on the activities of the Muslim Brotherhood. As early as 2020, a Jordanian court had initiated legal steps toward dissolving the organization. The government is now…https://mena-studies.org/local-and-online-prevention-researchers-call-for-new-strategies-against-islamism-in-germany/Sat, 03 May 2025 12:37:00 +0200https://mena-studies.org/local-and-online-prevention-researchers-call-for-new-strategies-against-islamism-in-germany/With unusually blunt words, German Education Minister Cem Özdemir (Greens) has warned against a complacent approach to Islamist extremism. Presenting the findings of a government-funded research network on Islamism, Özdemir criticized what he called the…https://mena-studies.org/unprecedented-execution-campaign-by-irans-regime/Fri, 02 May 2025 12:32:00 +0200https://mena-studies.org/unprecedented-execution-campaign-by-irans-regime/The Iranian regime has carried out an unprecedented wave of executions over the past year, reaching a record 1,153 executions in the Iranian calendar year 1403 (March 2024 – March 2025). This marks a 42% increase compared to the previous year, according to…https://mena-studies.org/do-the-emirates-actively-support-the-civil-war-in-sudan/Thu, 01 May 2025 13:06:00 +0200https://mena-studies.org/do-the-emirates-actively-support-the-civil-war-in-sudan/In 2023, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies wanted to find out what was really going on at the large field hospital in Amdjarass, in northeastern Chad. Rumors were circulating. The Emirates Red Crescent had started building a…https://mena-studies.org/israel-and-qatar-a-new-watergate/Wed, 30 Apr 2025 18:05:00 +0200https://mena-studies.org/israel-and-qatar-a-new-watergate/Since the Watergate scandal forced the resignation of U.S. President Richard Nixon in 1974—the same president who famously insisted until the end that he was “not a crook”—the suffix “-gate” has become a global shorthand for political scandals tinged with…https://mena-studies.org/trump-simulates-a-state-of-siege-just-as-bush-did/Tue, 29 Apr 2025 18:09:00 +0200https://mena-studies.org/trump-simulates-a-state-of-siege-just-as-bush-did/Donald Trump presents himself as the most original president in history. Above all, he wants to have nothing in common with George W. Bush, who, in his view, was responsible for the most idiotic of wars. Yet the two presidencies, almost a generation apart…https://mena-studies.org/whats-next-for-turkey/Mon, 28 Apr 2025 15:31:00 +0200https://mena-studies.org/whats-next-for-turkey/“Erdoğan is our father, Turkey is our home.” This phrase has been scrawled on utility boxes, bridge pillars, and building walls in towns and cities across Turkey for years. More than mere flattery, it reflects a deeply rooted, cross-generational understanding…https://mena-studies.org/saudi-arabias-intentions-as-mediator-in-the-ukraine-war/Sun, 27 Apr 2025 15:50:00 +0200https://mena-studies.org/saudi-arabias-intentions-as-mediator-in-the-ukraine-war/For Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the current situation represents a classic win-win. Following the disastrous meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia now offers the…https://mena-studies.org/the-curse-of-the-authoritarian-throne/Fri, 25 Apr 2025 15:53:00 +0200https://mena-studies.org/the-curse-of-the-authoritarian-throne/In the Arab world, once someone ascends to a position of authority and is empowered by it, they often undergo a startling transformation—one so drastic that even they might struggle to recognize themselves. What lies behind this sudden shift in identity?…https://mena-studies.org/brussels-and-ankara-back-in-dialogue-mode/Thu, 24 Apr 2025 10:00:00 +0200https://mena-studies.org/brussels-and-ankara-back-in-dialogue-mode/This month, the European Union and Turkey resumed a so-called “high-level dialogue” on their economic relations for the first time in six years. The talks, held in Brussels, were led by Valdis Dombrovskis, Vice President of the European Commission and…https://mena-studies.org/tehran-threatens-escalation-with-washington/Tue, 22 Apr 2025 10:57:00 +0200https://mena-studies.org/tehran-threatens-escalation-with-washington/Iran has ruled out direct talks with the United States over its controversial nuclear program for the time being. According to Iranian Prime Minister Massud Peseschkian, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei informed U.S. President Donald Trump in an official…https://mena-studies.org/brussels-shows-no-clear-line-in-supporting-democratic-turkey/Sun, 20 Apr 2025 11:04:00 +0200https://mena-studies.org/brussels-shows-no-clear-line-in-supporting-democratic-turkey/The European Union reacted swiftly to the arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu. “Very disturbing,” said Commission President Ursula von der Leyen just a few hours later. As a member of the Council of Europe and an EU accession candidate, Turkey must…https://mena-studies.org/syrians-in-europe-on-the-situation-in-their-homeland/Fri, 18 Apr 2025 11:51:00 +0200https://mena-studies.org/syrians-in-europe-on-the-situation-in-their-homeland/A fragile peace after fourteen years of civil war – the hopeful image of a stable, reconciled Syria has suffered a severe blow in recent weeks. In the northwestern coastal region of Latakia, a traditional power base of the Alawite community, heavy clashes…https://mena-studies.org/western-reactions-to-turkish-repression/Thu, 17 Apr 2025 11:58:00 +0200https://mena-studies.org/western-reactions-to-turkish-repression/The dramatic arrest of Istanbul’s mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu during a pre-dawn raid marks a new low in Turkey’s ongoing departure from democratic principles. Observers and critics of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan see the move as a deliberate attempt to sideline…https://mena-studies.org/lobbying-for-political-islam-in-germany/Mon, 14 Apr 2025 12:30:00 +0200https://mena-studies.org/lobbying-for-political-islam-in-germany/The question of whether Muslim women are allowed to drive a car while fully veiled is currently occupying a remarkable number of courts in Germany. In July last year, the Higher Administrative Court of North Rhine-Westphalia ruled on the issue, followed by…https://mena-studies.org/the-phenomenon-of-lone-wolves/Sat, 12 Apr 2025 12:34:00 +0200https://mena-studies.org/the-phenomenon-of-lone-wolves/In recent years, many countries have witnessed a significant increase in what is known as “lone wolf” terrorism. These terrorist attacks follow a similar pattern, where the perpetrators become radicalized through the internet and try to justify their crimes…https://mena-studies.org/is-syria-being-governed-by-a-minority-once-again/Fri, 11 Apr 2025 12:41:00 +0200https://mena-studies.org/is-syria-being-governed-by-a-minority-once-again/Syria has long been a country of diverse ethnicities and religions, with its various communities experiencing significant shifts in population and distribution throughout history. One of the most impactful of these changes occurred during the recent war that…https://mena-studies.org/new-morality-enforcers-in-the-saudi-desert/Wed, 09 Apr 2025 11:58:00 +0200https://mena-studies.org/new-morality-enforcers-in-the-saudi-desert/Over a month ago, several Saudi newspapers reported the arrest of five men in a massage parlor in Jeddah—a coastal city along the Red Sea and an economic hub of the country. The specifics of the arrests were initially unclear, but it soon became evident that…https://mena-studies.org/how-does-hamas-think/Mon, 07 Apr 2025 12:37:00 +0200https://mena-studies.org/how-does-hamas-think/After everything that has unfolded in Gaza as a result of Hamas’ approach to governance and ideology, it’s crucial to pause and ask: How did Gaza end up here? What kind of thinking has led to this reality?https://mena-studies.org/has-erdogan-miscalculated/Sun, 06 Apr 2025 12:40:00 +0200https://mena-studies.org/has-erdogan-miscalculated/Even in a country that has never been a fully-fledged democracy, this day marks a turning point. For years, President Erdoğan has repeatedly had political opponents arrested and convicted—most often Kurdish politicians like the popular Selahattin Demirtaş.…https://mena-studies.org/spheres-of-interest-for-or-against-a-future-in-syria/Sat, 05 Apr 2025 12:47:00 +0200https://mena-studies.org/spheres-of-interest-for-or-against-a-future-in-syria/More than three months ago, the dictatorship of Bashar al-Assad in Syria fell. Millions of Syrians hoped for a better future—but it has yet to arrive. Following massacres, particularly against the Alawites along the Mediterranean coast with around 1,000 dead…https://mena-studies.org/the-transitional-constitution-in-syria/Thu, 03 Apr 2025 13:36:00 +0200https://mena-studies.org/the-transitional-constitution-in-syria/Syria’s interim president, Ahmad al-Scharaa, is pushing ahead with the country’s political transition with determination – but his approach is fueling growing skepticism in the West, among liberal Syrians, and within ethnic and religious minority communities.…https://mena-studies.org/irans-risks-and-western-pressure/Sun, 30 Mar 2025 13:42:00 +0200https://mena-studies.org/irans-risks-and-western-pressure/“We cannot allow them to have a nuclear weapon,” said the American president at the White House, addressing Tehran. “We are in the final stages with Iran. Something will happen very soon.”https://mena-studies.org/erdogans-foreign-policy-options/Fri, 28 Mar 2025 13:56:00 +0100https://mena-studies.org/erdogans-foreign-policy-options/A few days ago, the Turkish daily newspaper Sabah , which traditionally maintains close ties to President Erdoğan, published an article that could be interpreted as a certain offer to Europe. The background of this article was the participation of Turkish…https://mena-studies.org/putin-plans-to-establish-a-new-military-base-in-libya/Thu, 27 Mar 2025 12:48:00 +0100https://mena-studies.org/putin-plans-to-establish-a-new-military-base-in-libya/The Italian website Inside Over has highlighted Moscow’s moves, in coordination with retired General Khalifa Haftar, to establish a military base in Matán al-Sarra in southern Libya. The report suggests that the base could become a key hub for the operations…https://mena-studies.org/muslim-brotherhood-and-jihadism-in-europe-a-commentary/Wed, 26 Mar 2025 12:54:00 +0100https://mena-studies.org/muslim-brotherhood-and-jihadism-in-europe-a-commentary/Hardly a week goes by without reports of Islamist attacks. In the French town of Mulhouse, an Algerian subject to deportation attacked visitors at a weekly market with a knife and a screwdriver. A 69-year-old passerby, who tried to stop the attacker, was…https://mena-studies.org/libyan-oil-smuggling-unites-haftar-and-dbeibah/Tue, 25 Mar 2025 12:57:00 +0100https://mena-studies.org/libyan-oil-smuggling-unites-haftar-and-dbeibah/A report by the Financial Times has revealed details of the illicit oil trade that keeps Libya divided. The British newspaper confirmed that the smuggling of subsidized fuel out of Libya and its sale abroad perpetuates the country’s division, supports…https://mena-studies.org/on-turkeys-decision-to-arrest-ekrem-imamoglu/Sat, 22 Mar 2025 13:45:00 +0100https://mena-studies.org/on-turkeys-decision-to-arrest-ekrem-imamoglu/Reuters confirmed that a Turkish court has decided to imprison the mayor of Istanbul, Ekrem Imamoglu, while the Turkish Ministry of Interior announced the arrest of 343 people during protests denouncing the arrest of Istanbul Mayor Akram Imamoglu. Last…https://mena-studies.org/conflict-on-water-increases-tensions-between-algeria-and-morocco/Fri, 21 Mar 2025 13:53:00 +0100https://mena-studies.org/conflict-on-water-increases-tensions-between-algeria-and-morocco/The ongoing tension between Morocco and Algeria shows no signs of abating. While the two neighbors are at odds over numerous issues, most notably the Western Sahara, a new front has opened between them concerning water resources. Algeria has accused its…https://mena-studies.org/sudan-army-controlling-the-presidential-palace/Thu, 20 Mar 2025 14:38:00 +0100https://mena-studies.org/sudan-army-controlling-the-presidential-palace/The battles in Khartoum have not subsided, and the eyes of the Sudanese people remain fixed on the fate of the Presidential Palace, which has become the scene of the most violent confrontations since the war broke out in April 2023. After nearly two years of…https://mena-studies.org/better-than-netflix-the-trial-of-former-president-sarkozy-in-paris/Mon, 17 Mar 2025 15:04:00 +0100https://mena-studies.org/better-than-netflix-the-trial-of-former-president-sarkozy-in-paris/The final phase of the trial in the “Libyan Financing Affair of Nicolas Sarkozy’s 2007 Presidential Campaign” is underway. The trial is set to conclude on April 10. If the suspicions of financial crime prosecutors—who have been investigating for over ten…https://mena-studies.org/the-role-of-the-hmeimim-base-in-syria/Sat, 15 Mar 2025 15:23:00 +0100https://mena-studies.org/the-role-of-the-hmeimim-base-in-syria/Nearly two weeks after the bloody events on the Syrian coast, which resulted in over a thousand deaths and tens of thousands of displaced people, the issue has returned to the political spotlight, particularly concerning the situation of those displaced from…https://mena-studies.org/second-phase-of-elections-in-libya/Thu, 13 Mar 2025 15:30:00 +0100https://mena-studies.org/second-phase-of-elections-in-libya/The Libyan Attorney General revealed that 228 candidates in the second phase of municipal elections are facing legal prosecution in criminal cases. In a statement, he mentioned that the High National Elections Commission (HNEC) requested the criminal records…https://mena-studies.org/the-fall-of-assads-regime-in-syria-between-hopes-and-threats/Tue, 10 Dec 2024 10:00:00 +0100https://mena-studies.org/the-fall-of-assads-regime-in-syria-between-hopes-and-threats/The collapse of the long-standing regime of Bashar al-Assad, and with it the Syrian Arab Republic, has been viewed by many commentators as a positive development. In…https://mena-studies.org/qatars-foreign-policy-between-neutrality-and-hypocrisy/Tue, 08 Oct 2024 20:58:00 +0200https://mena-studies.org/qatars-foreign-policy-between-neutrality-and-hypocrisy/Qatar is famous for its prominent role as a mediator. This role extends not just regarding Hamas and Israel, or Iran and the US, but beyond, including mediation between Russia and Ukraine. For instance, Qatar brokered a deal for the return of Ukrainian…https://mena-studies.org/post-electoral-france-is-in-a-deep-political-crisis/Sat, 27 Jul 2024 10:00:00 +0200https://mena-studies.org/post-electoral-france-is-in-a-deep-political-crisis/Earlier this month, snap legislative elections took place in France, where the French were invited by President Emmanuel Macron to elect 577 deputies after his…