Politics

Iran's Economic Crisis

On the Edge of the Abyss

The everyday lives of the Iranian people look set to be dominated by rationing and food coupons. And four months ahead of presidential elections, a bitter power struggle has been raging – one that is turning out to be a veritable struggle for survival for some of those involved. By Ali Sadrzadeh
By Ali Sadrzadeh
Controversial NGO Law in Egypt

Attack on the Heart of Civil Society

The Egyptian government hopes to restrict the work of non-government organisations by means of a new law. Activists are up in arms, while the opposition has been remarkably quiet on the subject. Markus Symank has the information from Cairo
By Markus Symank
Interview with Andreas Reinicke

''A Phase of Strategic Reorientation''

Andreas Reinicke, the EU's Special Representative to the Middle East Peace Process, believes that Egypt will continue to play a constructive role in the region in the future. He also urges Israel's new government to agree to a two-state peace solution. Michael Knigge spoke to him about the situation in the Middle East
By Michael Knigge
Political Power Struggle in Egypt

On the Brink of Ungovernability

Current events in Egypt are often represented as a confrontation between two camps: one that is bent on establishing a dictatorship, while the other one is struggling to defend freedom and democracy. In reality, all parties in Egypt today are pushing the country to the brink of ungovernability, says Nagwan El Ashwal
By Nagwan El Ashwal
Yemen and the Arab Spring

Revolution on Hold

While political turbulence continues unabated in Tunisia and Egypt – the two countries where the Arab Spring started – and a bloody civil war still rages unchecked in Syria, the transition in Yemen seems to have ground to a complete halt. By Nader Alsarras
By Nader Alsarras
Muslim Brothers as Victims

''25 TV Stations Are Working against Us''

Unfair media coverage, hostile opposition, and violent demonstrators: Many Muslim Brothers see themselves as being wrongly attacked. A visit to a party office of the Islamists in Cairo. By Markus Symank
By Markus Symank
Islamism and Secularism after the Arab Spring

Muslim's Multiple Modernities

For Muslim societies, the way to democracy will inevitably involve religious politics, says Nader Hashemi in his essay. And for historical reasons, he argues, Muslim societies will develop different concepts of democracy than the ones common in the West
By Nader Hashemi
European Policy on Syria

The Time for Caution is Past

In view of the suffering and the destruction in Syria and the reticence of the US, the Europeans must assume more responsibility. They should expedite the reconstruction of liberated territories, bolster the National Coalition, finance rebels fighting for a democratic Syria and apply diplomatic pressure to pave the way for a political transition, says Kristin Helberg
By Kristin Helberg
Essay by Amel Grami

A Turning Point in Tunisia's Transition

According to the renowned Tunisian academic and intellectual Amel Grami, the two-pronged policy being pursued by the Islamist Ennahda party under the leadership of Rachid Ghannouchi threatens to split Tunisian society in two and push the revolution to the brink of the abyss
By Amel Grami
The Moroccan Pro-Democracy Movement

Down, But Not Out

The Moroccan protest movement has lost much of its initial momentum. A clever strategy on the part of the palace, that has combined political concessions with repression, a lack of allies, the international economy and the fate of the uprisings in other Arab countries have all severely weakened the movement. But the Kingdom of Morocco has not seen the last of protests and uprisings. By Beat Stauffer
By Beat Stauffer
Tunisia's Government in Crisis

A Political Earthquake

The murder of the leftist politician Chokri Belaid has plunged the nation's already beleaguered government into deep crisis. In particular Ennahda, the strongest party in the coalition, now has its back to the wall. Sarah Mersch reports from Tunis
By Sarah Mersch
Iran's Role in the Syrian Civil War

Masters and Servants

As the military situation has grown more and more difficult for Syria's Baath regime, Iran has become an irreplaceable ally for President Assad. The mullahs have succeeded in extending their influence in Damascus and building up a network of militias in Syria. Birgit Svensson reports
By Birgit Svensson