Articles

In a monthly Operational Environment Watch commentary, EFD Fellow Anna Borshchevskaya discusses the declining state of Russia's economy -- a situation which is not set to change in the near future....

Anna Borshchevskaya addresses the issue of the Russia-EU relationship which continues to deteriorate. She raises the question of whether the EU will remain united in the face of Russia, as both sides are sanctioning each other due to the Ukraine crisis, and some member states are beginning to feel the effects of these sanctions....

As Western analysts debate whether Syrian President Bashar Assad is ultimately more preferable than the militant Islamists fighting to take his place, EFD Fellow Anna Borshchevskaya considers Russian President Vladimir Putin’s stance on terrorism, concluding that he is guided by his own agenda rather than principles....

In an article published on La Nuova Bussola Quotidiana, EFD Senior Fellow Valentina Colombo explains that whilst the Islamic world has been somewhat vocal in denouncing the persecution of Christians in the Middle East, it needs to be more critical of such acts....

EFD Senior Fellow Valentina Colombo discusses the findings of a survey conducted by the Pew Research Center, which suggests that support for Islamist groups in the Middle East is closely linked with the proximity of the group, and that support tends to dwindle when these groups are encountered first-hand. Valentina calls for us to consider these findings in connection with the growing presence of ISIS in Iraq....

As the militant Islamist group ISIS makes gains in Iraq, EFD Senior Fellow Valentina Colombo writes that, for the first time in Iraq's history, Christians can no longer be found in Mosul. She also discusses the rigid ideology which is behind ISIS' actions....

EFD Senior Fellow Valentina Colombo on the persecution of Christians and non-Sunni minorities in Iraq, which has escalated significantly with the increased presence of the militant group ISIS....

Amid renewed conflict in the Middle East, EFD Programme Director Ahmad Mansour calls for Palestinians to take a critical stance on Hamas' conduct. He pleads for the adoption of new role models, a culture of constructive self-reflection, and argues that, in order to actually move forward in the region, it is time to distance ourselves from the image of a victimised Palestine -- both in the Middle East, and in the West....

Following the announcement of Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi that a new Caliphate called "Islamic State" has been established in Iraq and Syria, EFD Senior Fellow Valentina Colombo discusses conflicting perceptions of the notion of Caliphate in the Muslim world. Valentina examines the historic role of the Caliphate, and discusses its power to inspire Islamic fundamentalists....

Following the judgement of the European Court of Human Rights to uphold a ban on the full-face veil in France, EFD Senior Fellow Valentina Colombo writes that this decision is in-keeping with what many Muslim theologians think about the burka and the niqab: that they are not Islamic....

EFD Researcher Giovanni Giacalone writes that, following the collapse of the Soviet Union, instability in Bosnia provided fertile ground for the spread of Wahhabism from Saudi Arabia....

Although many jihadists left Europe during the Arab Spring, networks of jihadists are still present in Italy. In an article published in Le Formiche, EFD Senior Policy Advisor Lorenzo Vidino gives an overview of the “identity-kit” of Italian jihadists....

Following news of ISIS advancing in Iraq, EFD Fellow Anna Borshchevskaya observes that U.S. policymakers should be concerned about Russia’s growing influence in the region, which is motivated by decreasing U.S. and Western interest....

In this article published on La Nuova Bussola Quotidiana, EFD Senior Fellow Valentina Colombo explains that in Iraq, the conflict cannot be reduced to a Sunni - Shia conflict. This is because, Valentina explains, the Baath party in Iraq is still a force to be reckoned with....

EFD Fellow Anna Borshchevskaya draws attention to Crimean economic difficulties that followed 2014 Russian annexation....

The arrest of Mehdi Nemmouche, the perpetrator of the shooting at the Jewish Museum in Brussels, leads EFD’s Valentina Colombo to consider the links between this anti-Semitic attack and European Jihadism in Syria....

Despite civil war, presidential elections were held in Syria on 3 June 2014. EFD Fellow Anna Borshchevskaya discusses such elections and the international community’s reactions to President Bashar al-Assad’s victory....

Following her trip to Japan, EFD Fellow Anna Borshchevskaya presents Tokyo’s concerns about US commitment to assisting Japan in protecting territories from both domestic and external threats....

In an article published by the European View journal, EFD Senior Fellow Valentina Colombo analyses the evolution of Muslim political participation in Europe. Valentina explains that whilst Islamic parties in Europe remain unpopular, Muslims who represent non-Islamic parties are considered positively by Europeans who vote them for their inner qualities regardless of their religion....

In an article published on The Washington Free Beacon, EFD Fellow Anna Borshchevskaya discusses Ukraine's presidential elections. While this election was praised by international onlookers for being fair, Russia is still concerned about initiating dialogue with newly elected Petro Poroshenko....

In the run-up to 2014 presidential elections, EFD Fellow Valentina Colombo provides a clear picture of the current political situation in Egypt....

Saudi tribunal’s decision to harshly punish the blogger Raif Badawi, who was found to have violated “Islamic precepts” through his writings, leads some Muslim intellectuals to call for freedom of conscience and religion....

The story of Sudanese Doctor Maryam Yahya Ibrahim, sentenced to death for apostasy, is a clear indication of the limited protection of citizens’ fundamental rights in some Muslim countries. EFD Fellow Valentina Colombo discusses the absurdity of the verdict....

EFD Fellow Valentina Colombo discusses the death sentence given to Maryam Yahya Ibrahim, accused of apostasy. Valentina urges her audience to continue to support the battle for religious freedom....

In May 2014, Yusuf Qaradawi, one of the most prominent theologians for the Muslim Brotherhood, publicly denounced participation in the forthcoming Egyptian elections as “haram”. EFD Senior Fellow Valentina Colombo discusses the extent to which such a fatwa could influence voting in Egypt....

In an article published by Zenit, EFD Fellow Valentina Colombo discusses a Saudi court's sentencing of blogger Raif Badawi, who speaks out for religious freedom....

In the wake of recent events in Raqqa, Syria, where several crucifixions took place, EFD Senior Fellow Valentina Colombo discusses the content of Sura 5:33. It is largely on the basis of this verse that crucifixion is still practised in many Islamic countries. At the same time, Islamic preachers in Europe continue to promote a strict interpretation of the Quran....

Since the overthrow of Mohamed Morsi, Egyptian tribunals have been deploying the death penalty and other harsh punishments against the Muslim Brotherhood. This has been met with criticism from the international community, which considers mass death sentences a significant obstacle to the achievement of democracy in Egypt. While EFD Senior Fellow Valentina Colombo takes a stand against such convictions, she points out that the Muslim Brotherhood i...

In a monthly Operational Environment Watch commentary, EFD Fellow Anna Borshchevskaya discusses a possible agreement between China and Russia that would provide for building a gas pipeline from Russia to China, ensuring the supply of Russian gas to China....

In a monthly Operational Environment Watch commentary, EFD Fellow Anna Borshchevskaya discusses bilateral cooperation between Russia's Republic of Tatarstan and Japan. Tatarstan's President stresses that this country could be economically beneficial to Japan....

Giovanni Giacalone discusses tensions within Milan's Islamic community, surrounding the planned construction of a large mosque....

According to a study by King’s College, Musa Cerantonio, an Italian-Australian man converted to Islam, is among the most influent online spiritual leaders. EFD’s Lorenzo Vidino discusses Cerantonio’s online preaching, which encourages hundreds of Europeans to join Syrian fighters against Bashar Al-Assad....

Over the last few months, the possible relocation of the Muslim Brotherhood's European headquarters from England to Austria has been largely discussed. EFD Senior Fellow Valentina Colombo highlights the extent to which 1912 Austrian Law of Islam has influenced such change by providing a particular protection for Islamic organisations....

Valentino Colombo discusses militant groups within Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood, in light of decisions from the British government and the US State Department to add Ansar Bayt al-Maqdis to their lists of terrorist organisations....

Italian intelligence magazine, GNOSIS features a study from EFD's Valentina Colombo on the possible ties between radical Islam and anarchical ideology....

In the below article, EFD’s Anna Borshchevskaya underlines the importance attached by Russia to Ukraine. The recent events, which took place in Crimea, do not only threaten Ukraine’s democracy but also “Western credibility on protecting freedom”....