Politics

France after the attack on "Charlie Hebdo"

Much more is at stake than press freedom

After the murderous attack on "Charlie Hebdo", will the French succeed in joining hands with the country's Muslim minority to confront the Islamist movement at home, or will Muslims once again be made the scapegoat. By Birgit Kaspar
By Birgit Kaspar
Reactions to the "Charlie Hebdo" attack in the Arab world

"Radicals killed radicals"

In the wake of the horrific attack on the staff of "Charlie Hebdo" in Paris on 7 January, Islamic associations and imams across Europe have condemned the killings. So too have politicians and religious dignitaries across the Islamic world. But, says Karim El-Gawhary in Cairo, for some people in the Arab world, things are not quite so black-and-white
By Karim El-Gawhary
Attack on the French satirical magazine "Charlie Hebdo"

Do not be deceived!

The Paris attack will add even more heat to the debate about Islam and refugees. But, writes Christoph Hasselbach, neither freedom nor tolerance are negotiable. By the same token, there is no reason to hold all Muslims under suspicion or to doubt the model of a peaceful coexistence
By Christoph Hasselbach
Secular versus religious in the Israel Defense Forces

Into battle with the Bible

The Israeli military rabbinate has never had clearly defined competencies. Recently, there has been a growing number of protests against its increasing attempts to "sacralise" the army. By Joseph Croitoru
By Joseph Croitoru
Succession in the Saudi royal family

Generation change in Saudi Arabia?

King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia is one of the oldest monarchs in the world. He has named two of his brothers as his successors. The only difficulty is that the two princes are almost as old as the ailing autocrat himself. By Anne Allmeling
By Anne Allmeling
The Middle East in 2014

New regional power games

The rise of Islamic State in Syria and Iraq has dramatically altered the regional order. While Iran and Turkey are becoming key political players in the crisis-torn area, the West continues to lose influence. An analysis by Karim El-Gawhary
By Karim El-Gawhary
The Muslim world and the West

Europe is not under threat

Muslims today are grappling with each other, not with the West. In this essay, Charlotte Wiedemann argues that the conflicts, battles and wars being fought in the Islamic world are principally waged among Muslims and not against the West
By Charlotte Wiedemann
Interview with Rachid Ghannouchi

"If you sow dictatorship, you harvest terrorism"

Rachid Ghannouchi is the leader of Tunisia's Ennahda Party. He was recently awarded this year's Ibn Rushd Prize. Daniel Bax and Tsafrir Cohen spoke to him about his country's liberal constitution, the freedom to cast off religion, and Tunisia's pioneering role in the Arab world that highlights the compatibility of Islam and democracy
By Daniel Bax, Tsafrir Cohen
Restrictions on Egyptian NGOs

Silencing the voice of civil society

In recent months, Egyptian President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi has passed a number of laws that will weaken the country's civil society. Local NGOs and foreign foundations alike will suffer under the new laws. By Elisabeth Lehmann
By Elisabeth Lehmann
First free presidential election in Tunisia

Essebsi must now take action

The election of veteran politician Beji Caid Essebsi as Tunisia's first ever democratically elected president is a vital milestone on the road to the establishment of a true Arab democracy, says Loay Mudhoon
By Loay Mudhoon
The revolution of 25 January 2011 and its consequences

Learning from past mistakes

Right from the word go, the Egyptian writer Mansoura Ez-Eldin was part of the protests against the Mubarak regime in Tahrir Square in January 2011. She became a chronicler of the revolution, reporting daily on the unrest in the Egyptian capital. In this essay, she outlines the mistakes made by the former revolutionary movement and explains why Egypt is now undergoing an authoritarian restoration
By Mansoura Ez-Eldin
Six lessons learned from Tunisia's recent elections

"Religion is God's, but democracy belongs to everyone!"

The most recent elections in Tunisia have made it clear that, in spite of numerous setbacks over the last three years, the Arab Spring continues to bear fruit. According to Egyptian journalist and professor Khalil al-Anani, the Tunisian experiment once again proves that Tunisia is a long way ahead of the other Arab countries undergoing transformation
By Khalil al-Anani