Coronavirus crisis in Israel: A lifeline for Netanyahu Background Benjamin Netanyahu could not even win the third election held within one year. Now, he is using the coronavirus crisis to profile himself as an indispensable statesman and secure his power – to the detriment of Israeli democracy. By Dr. Steffen Hagemann
Syriaʹs crisis within a crisis – coronavirus could hit hard Background The corona pandemic has reached Syria. Anna Fleischer, Program Coordinator for Syria, explains why the virus could hit the country extremely hard and above all endanger those imprisoned. By Anna Fleischer
War in Syria: The horror of Idlib Comment The recent escalation of violence in Idlib is also a result of the increasing tensions between Turkey and Russia. The victims are those in Idlib, caught up in a hopeless situation amid a huge spectrum of differing interests. By Bente Scheller
CEDAW in Tunisia: EnaZeda fights against sexual violence and discrimination Analysis Since September, Tunisians have been reporting experiences of sexual violence online under the hashtag EnaZeda, Tunisian Arabic for "me too". In the meantime, the protest has spread to the streets. By Rachel Doelker
Russia and Iran: Foreign policy as a balancing act Comment Russia’s policy in the Middle East is geared strictly to the country’s interests: to fulfil its role as a major power, stabilise the region and minimise every risk as much as possible. This offers opportunities. By Johannes Voswinkel
Playing with fire: are the US and Iran risking war? Dossier Iran and the US are in an escalation spiral. The Heads of our offices report on the hot spots of the conflict.
The EU’s role in the conflict between Iran and the USA: de-escalation! Comment The High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs has appealed to the US and Iran to avoid escalation in the Persian Gulf region. The EU must continue to do everything within its power to save the nuclear deal. By Eva van de Rakt and Anna Schwarz
America’s Iran Policy: Between War-Weariness and Military Escalation Comment Donald Trump is caught in a deadlock of his own making. He does not want to find himself responsible for a new war in the Middle East right in the middle of an election campaign. At the same time, he wants to look like a tough guy who never backtracks. This is what is making the situation so unpredictable. By Bastian Hermisson
Brothers in Spirit? Trump, Netanyahu and the Conflict with Iran Comment The Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, is supporting and encouraging Trump’s confrontational stance towards Iran. However, a military escalation would be extremely dangerous for Israel. By Dr. Steffen Hagemann
Nerves on edge Analysis The escalating nuclear conflict between Iran and the United States is making life harder for Irans population. In particular, the emergence of a middle class is under threat. By Omid Nouripour