Politics

Civil War in Syria

The Time to Act is Now

In this commentary, Kristin Helberg says that there will be no negotiated solution to the Syrian crisis unless the conflict is escalated to international level. Until then, Syrians will continue to pay the price for the world's half-heartedness
By Kristin Helberg
Interview with Sadiqu Al-Mousllie of the Syrian Opposition

"The Murderous Assad Regime Must Be Stopped"

The Syrian opposition has accused government troops of killing 1,300 people in a poison gas attack. In an interview with Falah Elias, Sadiqu Al-Mousllie – a member of the opposition Syrian National Council – calls for military action against the Syrian dictator
By Falah Elias
Turkey and the Coup in Egypt

Isolation or "Precious Loneliness"?

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's criticism of the recent military coup and the brutal crackdown on protesters in Egypt has sparked an angry diplomatic row between Ankara and Cairo. Some feel Turkey risks isolating itself in the region. Erdogan aide Ibrahim Kalin, on the other hand, prefers to speak of "precious loneliness". Ayhan Simsek has the details
By Ayhan Simsek
After the Coup in Egypt

A Dark Chapter in Egyptian Liberalism

The military's deposition of Egypt's elected president has been welcomed by the Muslim Brotherhood's liberal opponents. In this essay, Khaled Hroub explains why this is a historic error
By Khaled Hroub
Power Struggle in Egypt

The Mubarak System in a New Guise

It is not a religious conflict that is currently being waged in Egypt; nor is it a struggle representing the supposed clash of civilizations. What is going on in Egypt is nothing more than a battle for political power. A commentary by Jan Kuhlmann
By Jan Kuhlmann
Escalation of Violence in Egypt

The Desired Radicalisation of the Muslim Brotherhood

Egypt's security apparatus wants to isolate and radicalise the Muslim Brotherhood. This would render the movement vincible. An analysis by Karim El-Gawhary
By Karim El-Gawhary
Egypt after the Coup

Bloodshed in Cairo as Military Clamps Down

Riot police smashed two protest camps run by supporters of ousted President Mohammed Morsi in Cairo. Matthias Sailer was there as security forces fired tear gas at demonstrators.
Interview with Mali Expert Marie Rodet

''The Whole Region Is Potentially Explosive''

According to West Africa expert Marie Rodet, although the conflict in Mali has not yet been fully resolved, the situation there has improved, and there are other countries in the region that are a greater cause for concern. Jonas Berninger spoke to her about the reasons for the French intervention and Mali's future
By Jonas Berninger
Egypt in Turmoil

Democrats Targeted in Pogrom Atmosphere

In the run-up to the deposition of President Mohammed Morsi, the Egyptian military portrayed the Muslim Brotherhood as a sinister, overpowering threat. In doing so, they whipped many Egyptians into a frenzy of agitation, spite and a hunger for revenge. In this highly charged atmosphere, very few have noticed the breathtaking re-interpretation of everything the revolution stood for. A commentary by Jürgen Stryjak
By Jürgen Stryjak
Tunisia

Religion's Political Role Expands

Many in Tunisia fear that religious radicals are gaining too much influence over the country's political discourse. The governing Ennahda party, however, has to find a way to appeal to both secularists and Islamists. Katharina Pfannkuch reports from Tunis
By Katharina Pfannkuch
The Internet in Iran

Touchpad of the Revolution

Media scholar Marcus Michaelsen's study about the role played by the Internet in the Iranian reform movement shows that blogging for regime change is a serious business. The resulting book is no Facebook thriller, but the story of blanket media suppression at national level. By Sarah Schaschek
By Sarah Schaschek
Iran's New President Rouhani

Hopes for Reorientation

Hassan Rouhani has now been sworn in as Iran's new President. The expectations for the moderate leader are high. But he is facing complex domestic and external challenges, as Shahram Ahadi reports
By Sharam Ahadi