Uprising Against Those in Power – Upheaval in the Middle East

People in the Middle East have been demonstrating for months now. Anger is targeted at their governments, who often react very harshly to these protests. The causes of this discontent are as diverse as the countries of the region themselves. In Lebanon and Iraq, an end to mismanagement and corruption is sought. Those who gain from the entrenched sectarian system in both countries as well as the privileges of old elites are being contested. The road that this system leads down was revealed by the explosion in the Port of Beirut in August of this year. In Iran, despite extensive intimidation, the middle class now also dares to take to the street. In Jordan, price increases and strikes by teachers would be the triggers for protest. In Syria, people are putting up a fight against the dictatorship and hunger is rife. The survival impulse takes prominence.

Are we witnessing historic upheaval? What does it say about the rights of the people? What role is played by external influences, like the Middle East policy of United States president Donald Trump, and by the various interest groups on the ground?

These and other themes will be discussed by Natalie Amiri (ARD Iran expert), Björn Blaschke (Head of the ARD Radio Studio in Cairo), and Dr. André Bank (Senior Research Fellow and Middle East expert at the GIGA). Julia-Niharika Sen (presenter of the NDR foreign affairs broadcast “Weltbilder”) will oversee the event.

The event will be broadcast exclusively online. If you register, you will receive further information by email before the online event begins.

A summary of the event will later be available via the NDR Mediathek, at NDR Info "Das Forum" on Tuesday, 24 November 2020 at 8:30 p.m. and at Tagesschau24 on Friday, 20 November 2020 at 10:30 p.m.