Politics

Marching against al-Maliki

Has the Arab Spring Arrived in Iraq?

Iraq's government is falling apart. While the president of the country is being treated for a serious illness in Germany, both the national parliament and the government back home are dysfunctional and in disarray. Birgit Svensson reports from Baghdad
By Birgit Svensson
Peace Negotiations between Turkey and the PKK

Kurdish Conflict Threatens Erdogan's Legacy

Turkey's head of government Recep Tayyip Erdogan has led his nation into the modern age. He could bask in his success, but while skyscrapers shoot up in Istanbul, other parts of Turkey still languish at levels comparable to those of developing countries. The Kurdish conflict is partly to blame, and if Erdogan is to avoid squandering his achievements, he must at last secure peace. Commentary by Christiane Schlötzer
By Christiane Schlötzer
Interview with Ennahda Leader Rachid Ghannouchi

''The Old Regime Is Still Not Dead''

In an interview with Moncef Slimi, Rachid Ghannouchi, leader of the Islamic Ennahda Party, appeals to the Tunisians to defend the achievements of the revolution against the return of representatives of the old regime in a new guise
By Moncef Slimi
Tunisia Two Years after Ben Ali

''The Revolution Is Like Yeast Dough''

Zine El Abidine Ben Ali ruled Tunisia with an iron fist for more than 20 years before he fled the country in January 2011. But two years later there is still little to celebrate for most Tunisians. Sarah Mersch reports from Tunis
By Sarah Mersch
Mali

From Regional Role Model to Crisis Zone

France is backing Mali in the fight against Islamist rebels. The Malian government has lost control over large parts of the country, and the outcome for the French intervention is uncertain. By Anne Almeling and Kersten Knipp
Essay by Tony Klug

Two States – by Design or Disaster

In his essay, Tony Klug warns that there might soon come a time when it will be too late to negotiate a peaceful two-state settlement through mutual agreement. But, he says, Israel and its people will ultimately have to pay a high price - unless Israel soon starts to support the inevitable two-state solution
By Tony Klug
Egypt's and Tunisia's State Security Files

An Inaccessible Past

Two years after the Arab Spring started shaking up the political landscape of the Middle East, many secret police files are still kept locked up in the relevant ministries and therefore remain inaccessible. Christoph Dreyer reports
By Christoph Dreyer
Assad versus the Rebels

Syria to Experience 'Hell' before Transition

Whether Assad chooses "hell" or a democratic transition for his country, Syria's fate will likely be decided in 2013. Rebels smell victory. Yet opposition forces should be working now to avoid a second hell thereafter. By Conor Dillon
By Conor Dillon
Refugees in Libya

Scapegoats for the Crimes of a Few

The oasis city of Tawerga was completely destroyed in the Libyan civil war. Its dark-skinned inhabitants are still on the run. Former rebels accuse them of war crimes and are carrying out vigilante justice. Markus Symank has the details
By Markus Symank
Turkey's Syria Policy

Ankara's Achilles' Heel

The Syrian conflict is exposing the limitations of aspiring regional power Turkey, as the West repeatedly urges leaders in Ankara to exercise military restraint. Turkish public opinion is also putting the brakes on a possible intervention in neighbouring Syria. By Thomas Seibert
By Thomas Seibert
The Impact of Crowd Dynamics on the Arab Spring

Like Dark Clouds Gathering before a Storm

In this essay, Sami Mahroum takes a closer look at the genesis, dynamics and impact of crowds in particular in the Arab world, where crowds – both spontaneous and those born through social media – have been shaping political processes since before the Arab Spring
By Sami Mahroum
Interview with the Israeli Peace Activist Uri Avnery

''Israel Needs Peace, Not Settlements''

Despite growing international criticism, Israel is pressing ahead with the construction of new settlements in and around Jerusalem. In this interview with Diana Hodali, peace activist Uri Avnery says that the current Israeli government does not actually want a two-state solution, regardless of what it says
By Diana Hodali