Politics
Topics
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Narendra Modi and the Indian MuslimsDivisive figure could become India's next PM
Narendra Modi was chief minister in the Indian state of Gujarat when anti-Muslim pogroms took place there 12 years ago. Today, he is the Hindu nationalist BJP party's candidate for the post of prime minister. Will this exacerbate India's inter-religious tensions? By Ulrich von Schwerin
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Power struggle in IranRouhani's balancing act
Hardliners in the Islamic Republic of Iran are intent on showing the president where the boundaries of his ambitious domestic reform agenda lie. By Marcus Michaelsen
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The Saudi blogger Raif Badawi600 lashes for expressing opinions
On 9 January 2014, a group of protesters organised a sit-in in front of the Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Rome, calling for the immediate release of blogger Raif Badawi. According to Elham Manea, he was imprisoned in 2012 on trumped up charges rooted in the ruling dynasty's fear of dissent and rebellion. He now faces the death penalty
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Al Jazeera journalists face terrorism chargesEgypt settles scores with Al Jazeera
Employees of the Al Jazeera news channel are currently on trial in Egypt. The prosecution has accused them of being members of a terrorist organisation. Markus Symank reports from Cairo
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Portrait of Pakistani politician Imran KhanFlirting with the Taliban
For several years now, support for cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan has been growing in Pakistan. Nevertheless, opinion about one of the country's greatest sporting heroes is still divided. His supporters point to the progress made in the province ruled by his Movement for Justice Party, while liberal Pakistanis have criticised his opposition to military operations against the Taliban. By Shamil Shams
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Dispute over planned archaeological museum in JerusalemStrife at the foot of the Temple Mount
In East Jerusalem, a planned archaeological museum, which has already been approved by the building authorities, is causing controversy. The seven-story building is to be constructed on the outskirts of the Palestinian district of Silwan and only 20 metres away from the south wall of Jerusalem's Old City. By Joseph Croitoru
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Swiss referendum on immigrationThe Swiss against the world
According to Robert Misik, Xenophobia was just one of the reasons why 50.3% of those who voted in Switzerland's recent referendum on immigration back strict quotas for immigration from European Union countries; a provincial mentality and anti-EU sentiment also played a role
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The Erdogan administrationTurkey's paradigm shift
Since coming to power 12 years ago, Turkey's Justice and Development Party (AKP) has launched the most far-reaching process of democratisation the country has ever known and facilitated an unprecedented economic upswing. According to Cemal Karakas, however, it has not all been positive; there have been some worrying developments too, particularly in recent years
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Social media and the Arab Spring in TunisiaNot as soft as jasmine
Social media did not topple Tunisia's dictator Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali, but they certainly played an important role. According to the Tunisian blogger Aya Chebbi, cyber activism is now an important tool for democratisation in this North African country
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The political consequences of the Arab SpringSome revolts just take longer
Civil war in Syria, a military regime in Egypt ... at first glance, it seems as if the Arab Spring has gone off the rails. But the battle is not over yet: 2014 will be a decisive year for change in the Arab world. An essay by Karim El-Gawhary
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Interview with Iran expert Bahman Nirumand"Everyone believed Khomeini's promises"
Thirty-five years ago, Ayatollah Khomeini returned to Iran from exile. Thomas Latschan spoke to the Iran expert Bahman Nirumand about Khomeini's role in the Islamic Revolution and his significance for modern-day Iran
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Book review: "Sectarian Gulf" by Toby MatthiesenSectarianism instead of revolution
The Gulf states were among the many countries enveloped by the Arab Spring. However, authorities there skilfully managed to play Sunnis and Shias off against each other as a means of dividing the protest movement. Initially, the tactic proved successful, writes Toby Matthiesen in his book "Sectarian Gulf". A review by Jannis Hagmann
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