Media

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....