Politics
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Libya's Quest for National UnityGaddafi's legacy is blocking democratic transition
As senior officials of the former regime face war crimes charges in a trial, Libyans are struggling to come to terms with their past. Unhealed wounds and renewed social strife is endangering the country's fragile democratic transition. Valerie Stocker reports from Tripoli
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Nuclear Conflict with IranTime for the West to Shift its Stance
The Iranian President's latest overtures in the nuclear row are being followed with great interest in the West, where the attitude that Iran must now follow up its words with deeds still prevails. But if the negotiations are to succeed, the West must also signal a readiness to make concessions, says Ulrich von Schwerin
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Israel and the Arab RevolutionsThe Arab Spring's Unlikely Winner
The paradox of the Arab revolutions is that they have contributed to Israel's integration as a strategic partner for some countries in the region. Israel's government should now consider making serious sacrifices for the sake of long-term survival. An essay by Dominique Moisi
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Interview with Guido Steinberg"Al-Shabab Attacks Could Destabilize the Entire Region"
An expert on militant Islamism Guido Steinberg says the attack on a Nairobi shopping mall by the Al-Shabab militia shows that the Somali-based conflict is spreading to neighbouring countries. Interview by Philipp Sandner
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Egypt's Transitional GovernmentA Setback for Human Rights
When Mohammed Morsi was ousted from office in early July, Egypt's transitional government promised that new, free elections would swiftly follow. Since then, it has excluded the Muslim Brotherhood from the political process and is systematically restricting civil rights under the pretext of combating terrorism. By Claudia Mende
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Syrian ConflictPolitical Breakthrough or Tactical Manoeuvre?
In Geneva, the US and Russian foreign ministers announced their agreement on a plan for the destruction of Syrian chemical weapons – but is it a breakthrough for a political solution? Or is the agreement itself merely a manoeuvre to help Russia and the USA save face? Answers from Andreas Zumach
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Iran and the Syria ConflictPragmatism instead of Confrontation
Iran has welcomed the Russian imitative for international control of Syria's chemical weapon arsenal. The fact that President Obama is now pushing for a diplomatic solution to the conflict is also good news for the moderate forces in Tehran, who do not wish to support Assad at any price. By Marcus Michaelsen
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Surveillance and Domestic Security since 9/11Like Donkeys Carrying Books
The intelligence services' frenzied data analysis is the latest and for the moment, the last in a series of imbalanced responses to the attacks of 11 September 2001, says investigative journalist Stefan Buchen who, according to a report in the German news weekly Der Spiegel, has himself been the subject of security agency investigations
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Annick Cojean: "Gaddafi's Harem"A Monstrous Nexus of Power, Sexuality and Violence
In her book "Gaddafi's Harem", the French journalist Annick Cojean documents the extent to which the former Libyan dictator was obsessed with power and sexuality, as well as how he channelled his hatred of all those born into privilege into an abusive practice that subjugated their wives. By Gabriele Michel
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Political Crisis on the NileThe Blind Faith of Egyptian Women in the Military
Many Egyptian women felt oppressed by the Muslim Brotherhood. As a result, they vehemently support the military and do not question its methods. Andrea Backhaus reports from Cairo
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Egypt's Political CrisisDiplomacy's Dilemma
In view of Egypt's severe crisis, western diplomats must focus on two things: human rights and economic prospects for the people. A commentary by Hans Dembowski
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Interview with Ahmed Maher"The Next Revolution Will Certainly Come"
Ahmed Maher is regarded by many as a hero of the Egyptian popular uprising. However, the army and the Islamists have, for the time being, rendered the April 6 protest movement inactive. In an interview with Markus Symank, the activist explains why this is nevertheless not the end of the revolution
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