Middle East/North Africa | IPS Journal

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pa / AP Photo | Osamah Abdulrahman

Foreign and security policy

Not just Iran’s front

The war against Iran has given the Houthis a strategic opening. But their renewed attacks serve their own agenda

By Ariela Groß

picture alliance / NurPhoto | Morteza Nikoubazl

Foreign and security policy

A window into Tehran

Iran’s power transition has created room for diplomacy. But Europe’s chance to shape the new order may be passing faster than expected

By Ali Taghavi

picture alliance / Middle East Images | Mustafa Noori

Democracy and society

Holiday with the Taliban

Afghanistan is gaining popularity as a tourist destination. But what exactly are visitors seeing — and what remains out of sight?

By Leonore von Arnim

picture alliance/KEYSTONE | URS FLUEELER

Foreign and security policy

Pakistan the peacemaker

With tensions rising, Islamabad has stepped into a pivotal role, helping sustain the only viable channel between Washington and Tehran

By Eldar Mamedov

picture alliance/newscom/Anas Deeb

Foreign and security policy

What follows the guns

Hamas may be ready to lay down its arms. But without a political horizon, the deal risks becoming just another pause in the fighting

By Usama Antar, Konstantin Witschel

picture alliance / Anadolu | Moiz Salhi

Foreign and security policy

After the headlines

While the world has moved on, Gaza’s suffering continues. Without pressure on Israel, Europe risks enabling permanent occupation and displacement

By René Wildangel

picture alliance / Sipa USA | Nexpher Images

Economy and ecology

Time for an import ban

While the EU opposes Israeli settlements in principle, its trade policy tells another story. It now has a unique chance to change course

By Muriel Asseburg, Martin Konečný

picture alliance / Xinhua News Agency | Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Foreign and security policy

The new Middle East quartet

Together, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Pakistan and Egypt are offering an opportunity for stability in the region. We should seize it

By Marcus Schneider

picture alliance / Anadolu | Fatemeh Bahrami

Democracy and society

The Islamic Republic is more dug in than ever

The most underreported story of this war is the information war — and in many ways, Iran has proved far more adept at it

By Mitra Vand

picture alliance/dpa | Ilia Yefimovich

Foreign and security policy

For Israel, war is the only answer

Netanyahu continues to derive his strength from the country’s ability to wage war. But he is failing to show any ability to win

By Mairav Zonszein