Essays
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The UEFA Cup 2016The Teutonic preoccupation with race
For the UEFA Cup in France, the German national football team bus has been emblazoned with the slogan "Vive la Mannschaft" or "Vive la team". At the same time, members of this team suffer public racist abuse. By Rene Wildangel
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Ennahda – the new Muslim DemocratsA blessing for Tunisian democracy?
Widely regarded as Tunisia′s equivalent of the Muslim Brotherhood back in 2011, Ennahda has moved a long way from its Islamist roots. Hans Dembowski assesses the latest developments
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Sisi and the European UnionThe long arm of the dictator
From the very outset, Egypt's President Sisi has pursued policies of exclusion and polarisation. It is time for the EU to hold him to account and ensure that any aid granted is made contingent upon political inclusion and better governance, say Stephan Roll and Lars Brozus
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Arab Spring five years onBrave new world?
While the West focuses on IS or Iran′s destructive role in the Middle East, most Arabs are simply trying to improve their lives. What they lack is the reassurance of good governance. By Marwan Muasher
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The Reform Islam debateIslam doesn′t need a Martin Luther!
Calls for an Islamic Reformation are issued in the wake of every Islamist act of terrorism. But Muslims don't need a Martin Luther. What is needed is a reconciliation of Islam with the constitutional state, says Loay Mudhoon
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Jan Bohmermann's BE DEUTSCHThe danger of being earnest
Forever with his finger on the pulse, Jan Bohmermann, the ″enfant terrible″ of Germany′s satirists, has released a video that reveals a lot – and arguably, more than he realises. By William Glucroft
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The Syrian uprising five years onAlive and kicking
After five years of war, violence and endless suffering, Syrian civil society is sending a clear message to Geneva: "We will not stop until Assad is gone." Assad, however, has no intention of relinquishing power, invoking of all things the wishes of the Syrian people. Kristin Helberg analyses the situation
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Right-wing populism in EuropeTake the AfD seriously – or you'll end up like us
For a long time France ignored the Front National – now it's the nation's strongest party. Germany should not repeat this mistake in its dealings with the AfD. Commentary by Christophe Bourdoiseau, German correspondent for the French daily "Le Parisien"
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Culture and education in the Islamic worldThe lonely Arab crowd
The cultural and educational turbulence within the Arab world is due – at least in part – to the absence of a contemporary home-grown intellectual tradition capable of providing societies with an inner compass based on local values and modern perspectives. An essay by Sami Mahroum
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Five years of Arab SpringThe butterfly effect
It was the flap of a butterfly wing that was to trigger a storm in Europe. Mohamed Bouazizi's self-immolation in 2010 sent a clear signal: things were about to change. Despite many setbacks, the impact of this message is still being felt. By Karim El-Gawhary