CC Gie Goris (CC BY-NC 2.0)
Interview

‘Afghans anxiously await formation of new government’

The situation in Afghanistan is uncertain and volatile, but is it as bad as Western media and politicians say? Danish Karohel, director of a news agency and a leading journalistic voice in Afghanistan, answers our questions. He and his journalists vow to fight for the right to do their job.
CC Gie Goris (CC BY-NC 2.0)
Editorial

‘Afghans are pawns and players at the same time’

Why was the West in Afghanistan, and why did it decide, after 20 years, that a Taliban takeover wouldn't merit even a timely evacuation? And what is the role and responsibility of Afghans in the 40 year-war? Since Kabul fell, everybody knows why and what. But few understand.
Mike Bloomberg (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)
Opinion

‘The Indian election results do not show that Modi’s days are numbered’

'Hindu nationalism and India cannot sit easy at the same table anymore' writes Arjun Sharma (Leuven Centre for Global Governance Studies, KU Leuven) after the elections held for the legislative assemblies of the 28 states and 3 out of 8 union territories comprising the Indian union.
© Hussainy Qudratullah
Report

‘Not everyone has the strength to carry their heavy backpack’

The Afghan community in Antwerp (and in Belgium) is predominantly young, male and single. And hurt by a violent past. Should we be worried about the boys? Will the girls find opportunities? Portrait of a new generation of Antwerp citizens.
© The New Gospel / MOOOV
Interview

From tomato picker to contemporary Jesus. ‘We need each other to tackle inequality’

‘I use cinema to address an issue.’ Yvan Sagnet refers to the pitiful working conditions of African migrants in the south of Italy, to pick vegetables that end up in our supermarkets. In Milo Rau’s "The New Gospel", he plays the lead role of a contemporary Jesus.
© REUTERS/Stringer
Analysis

War on journalism in Belarus: ‘European Union is reacting too slowly’

‘Every journalist has spare clothes in his or her backpack. Because we are never sure we will make it home again.’ For more than a month now, Belarusian President Lukashenko has been waging a war on journalists. ‘But we keep on writing. That is our responsibility.’
Report

Afghans in Antwerp: ‘The journey begins once we reach our destination’

The 40-year war in Afghanistan is pushing more Afghans to become refugees. Their numbers are also increasing in Belgium. In the port city of Antwerp, Afghans have already become the fifth largest nationality group. Gie Goris talked to the Afghans of Antwerp.
Jessica Howard (CC BY-NC 2.0)
Opinion

‘Making peace with nature is possible, if we start now’

Inger Andersen, executive director of the United Nations Environment Programme, believes our 'environmental, social and economic challenges are interlinked'. 'This year, we must make peace with nature.'
© José Cabezas
Analysis

Belgium slams doors on asylum seekers from El Salvador

Asylum seekers from El Salvador hardly ever receive a positive answer to their application for protection in our country. In 2020, barely 10 percent of Salvadoran asylum applications were approved; in 2019, the number was 90 percent. Does the change in trend indicate a revision of the policy?
beeveephoto (CC BY-SA 2.0)
News

Future of controversial Ineos project in port of Antwerp uncertain, construction refinery postponed

Petrochemicals manufacturer Ineos is temporarily suspending the construction of the PDH unit that would make up half of 'Project One', a billion-dollar project that envisaged the construction of two plastics factories in the port of Antwerp.
© Belga
Longread

The fight against “political Islam” creates a monster that is everywhere and nowhere

The attacks in France and Austria reinforce the call for zero tolerance. Austrian Chancellor Kurz wants to tackle terrorism by outlawing 'political Islam', French President Macron by reforming Islam into a religion that fits the secular state. Is there a baby in the political bathwater?
© Bensemra Zohra / Reuters
Analysis

How the dictator of Cameroon gives millions to American companies to polish his reputation with “fake news”

In 2020, locking up opposition members and forging ballot papers is passé for dictators. A better strategy is to call in PR companies to boost the reputation of your state abroad. This investigation shows how Cameroonian President Paul Biya uses American companies for that purpose.

Pages