Politics

Michael Luders on the sanctions on Iran

"The objective is regime change"

For years, the nuclear dispute between the West and Iran has been at a deadlock. In this interview with Thomas Latschan, Middle East expert Michael Lüders says that the West's main objective is not in fact to find a solution to the problem, but to stop Iran from being a power factor in the region
By Thomas Latschan
Mass Protests against Erdogan

On a Knife Edge

Turkey's head of government is finding himself under more and more pressure: Protest against his policies and billion-dollar development projects continue, with sustained criticism even being levelled against him from within his own camp. But the "Sultan of Ankara" is allowing the situation to escalate, as Jürgen Gottschlich reports
By Jürgen Gottschlich
Interview with Roxana Saberi on the Elections in Iran

''The Syrian Situation Is Sending a Message to the Iranians''

The Iranian-American journalist Roxana Saberi was sentenced to an eight-year prison term on bogus espionage charges in Iran in 2009. She was released following the intervention of US president Barack Obama. Saberi does not believe that the presidential elections in Iran on 14 June will bring major political changes. An interview by Tobias Köberlein
By Tobias Köberlein
No-fly Zone for Syria

Last Chance to End the Misery

The imposition of a no-fly zone in 1991 against the regime of Saddam Hussein worked wonders for Iraqi Kurdistan. Twenty years later, a no-fly zone in Libya led to resolution of the conflict there. Why shouldn't it also be tried in northern Syria? A commentary by Silke Mertins
By Silke Mertins
Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood

Taken by Surprise

Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood is in office, but mainly busy grabbing power. Egyptians are increasingly upset about the "traders of religion" who are apparently replacing Egypt's old regime with a new exploitative elite. By Muna El Shorbagi
By Muna El Shorbagi
Interview with Robert Fisk on the War in Syria

A War That Won't End

President Bashar al-Assad's troops in Syria are gaining ground. British Middle East reporter Robert Fisk met some of them when he visited the front lines earlier this month. Interview by Michael Hartlep
By Michael Hartlep
Interview with Saleh Diab

''Egypt Doesn't Need Dollars, It Needs a Clear Plan''

Egyptian entrepreneur and publisher Saleh Diab is concerned over the future of his country. Foreign investors are being discouraged by political conditions, and the nation lacks a vision for the future, he says. Interview by Kersten Knipp
By Kersten Knipp
The Aftermath of the Arab Spring

The Changing Map of Middle East Power

The eruption of the Arab revolts put power relations among Middle Eastern countries in a state of flux, and both winners and losers have emerged. But, given that the strengths and weaknesses of most of the actors are highly contingent, the regional balance of power remains highly fluid. By Volker Perthes
By Volker Perthes
Justice in Libya

Lacklustre Approach to Reforms

Establishing a democratic constitutional state in Libya is proving to be a painstakingly slow process. This is partly because a reform of the legal system is long overdue, and also as a result of the vigilante justice administered by armed brigades. Beat Stauffer reports
By Beat Stauffer
Kurdish Rebels Retreating from Turkey

Finding a Safe Haven in Iraq

After three decades of war, Turkey and the Kurdish separatist PKK outfit are close to implementing a ceasefire. The first PKK fighters have already begun leaving Turkey for safe havens in Iraq. Birgit Svensson reports
By Birgit Svensson
Iran in the Run-up to the Presidential Election

Electoral Poker in Tehran

The presidential poll this coming June is already shaping up as a final duel between the Islamic Republic's two longest-serving politicians – but also as a directional decision with an open outcome. Marcus Michalsen reports
By Marcus Michaelsen
After the Bomb Attacks in Reyhanli

No Scruples in the Battle for Syria

Whoever was responsible for the double bomb attack in the Turkish border town of Reyhanli last weekend, it is part of a perfidious strategy to show the Turkish people that their nation has long been involved in the battle over Syria's future. Commentary by Jürgen Gottschlich
By Jürgen Gottschlich