Opinion
South Yemen stands today at a historic crossroads, similar in magnitude to the moment of its first independence in 1967. On 30 November 1967, the last British soldier left Aden, marking the proclamation of the Republic of South Arabia—later the People’s Republic of South Yemen—as a fully
Opinion
War in the Middle East has inflamed tensions on Europe’s streets to unprecedented levels. The continent’s leaders need a step-change reaction.
Opinion
A round-up of four books looking at Egyptian cinema, Egyptian clothing, and Egypt’s Jewish Quarter, plus the Middle East memoirs of an accidental Dutch, provides an eclectic reading list.
Opinion
The Islamic Republic’s suppression of non-Persian minorities is nothing new—the first Shah had the same idea a century ago. Today, there is both a Persian and non-Persian opposition, albeit all very splintered.
Opinion
Far from cowed by authorities’ history of suppression, the women of Iran have been at the forefront of protests in recent years. Even from jail, they keep the spirit of defiance alive.
Opinion
After years of stagnation, there is a yearning for change and for trade. With a stabilising security situation, reducing insurance risks, and financial mechanisms in place, UK-Libya business ties could bloom.
Opinion
Religious schools are nothing new, but when it comes to the Shi’ite community in Lebanon, they represent an opportunity for Tehran to hone the next generation, regardless of the country’s constitution.
Opinion
With negotiations with Houthi sponsor Iran ongoing, US President Donald Trump authorised the bombing of the Houthis for several reasons, only one of which was their attacks on Western shipping.
Opinion
The list of the Islamic Republic’s disenfranchised is long and getting longer. History shows that this is where the regime’s opposition is likely to be at its most potent.
Opinion
Iran Between Domestic Challenges and International Setbacks: A Precarious Future
Opinion
Organising awareness-raising events in Italy hopefully helps keep the issue of Iran’s repressive regime in the public consciousness. One day, hopefully one day soon, brave Iranians will earn their freedom.
Opinion
Centralising power Two or three years ago, political Shi’ism in the Middle East was at or near its zenith. With its power base in Iran and a network of armed groups ready and able to do Tehran’s bidding, the system and the strategy born after 1979 could certainly
Opinion
Excluding clerics and religious parties from the state’s executive, legislative, and judicial institutions is important if Arab and Islamic countries want to perform as well as their Western peers.
Opinion
Velayat-e Faqih: a theocratic regime veiled in sectarianism
Opinion
The roots of Libya’s crisis go deep but the world can help
Opinion
A new cross-border fund bringing investors and innovators together will help produce the change-makers of tomorrow, while another initiative focused on social media will help change the narrative for the region’s young people.