Politics

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 Mansura Eseddin
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
The kidnapping of the "Douma 4"

The Salafist and the human rights activist

A year ago, four Syrian human rights activists were taken from a suburb of Damascus. Among them was the well-known lawyer Razan Zaitouneh. The kidnapping illustrates the fatal turn the Syrian revolution has taken, partly due to the West's inaction, writes Kristin Helberg
By Kristin Helberg
Protests in Egypt

"Down with all Mubaraks!"

A court decision to drop all charges against Egypt's former President Hosni Mubarak in connection with the deaths of more than 800 demonstrators prompted protests and riots in Cairo and other cities in Egypt. Karim El-Gawhary reports from Cairo's Tahrir Square
By Karim El-Gawhary
Interview with Andreas Dittmann

"Libyans themselves are destroying their country"

Three years after the overthrow of Muammar al-Gaddafi, Libya is at risk of becoming a failed state. The country is threatened by both militias and groups of jihadis made up of disaffected young Libyans with a radical agenda. Kersten Knipp spoke to Professor Andreas Dittmann about the current conflict
By Kersten Knipp
Nuclear negotiations with Iran

The nuclear waiting game

People in Iran in particular have been anxiously following the progress of the nuclear negotiations in Vienna. As if it were a sporting event, everyone made sure not to miss any new development and to keep a close eye on the score. Ultimately, however, things ended as they so often do: the match went into extra-time. By Adnan Tabatabai
By Adnan Tabatabai
Presidential election in Tunisia

The temptations of the gentle restoration

Stability and security, rather than revolutionary turbulence and Islamist experiments: the good showing by veteran politician Beji Caid Essebsi in the first round of Tunisia's recent presidential election can be read as a desire for a revival of the Bourguiba era. An analysis by Beat Stauffer
By Beat Stauffer
International conspiracy theories and xenophobia in Turkey

Turkey alone against the world

Turkey appears to be in the grip of a wave of xenophobia, according to the results of a recent survey by the US-based Pew Research Foundation. The findings come as the country has to cope with two conflicts on its borders and faces increasingly strained relations with key allies and neighbours. But as Dorian Jones reports from Istanbul, the findings could be part of a far deeper historical fear of the West
By Dorian Jones
Strategies for combating IS

Plea for a wide-angled view of the Arab world

In spite of all the hysteria surrounding IS, the terrorist militia is just one symptom of a changing region where repressive despots and militant Islamists are rising up once again and goading each other on. An essay by Karim El-Gawhary
By Karim El-Gawhary
Interview with Abdallah Abu Rahma

Creative resistance to barbed wire and walls

The phrase "Palestinian resistance" evokes images of suicide bomb attacks and stone-throwing youths. But the peaceful resistance movement in Palestine has long been a reality. The village of Bil'in has always played a leading role in these endeavours. Laura Overmeyer spoke to Abdallah Abu Rahma, co-founder and co-ordinator of the Bil'in Popular Committee against the Wall
By Laura Overmeyer
Profile: the Uighur civil rights activist Ilham Tohti

The moderate critic

Ilham Tohti, a well-known Uighur and a moderate critic of Beijing's policy towards the country's Muslim minority, was found guilty of "separatism" and sentenced to life in prison last September, despite the fact that he has always worked to improve relations between Uighurs and Han Chinese and is against breaking up the country. A profile by Thomas Latschan
By Thomas Latschan
The Knesset member Haneen Zoabi

Loathed, reviled ... and excluded from parliament

Haneen Zoabi is a tireless defendent of human rights for Palestinians in Israel and the occupied territories. Never afraid to voice harsh criticism, she constantly challenges state and society in Israel. Ulrike Schleicher met the outspoken Israeli politician in Jerusalem
By Ulrike Schleicher