Politics

Domestic Political Crisis in Libya

Stability on Trial

Challenging times ahead for the Libyan government: less than four weeks after his election, Prime Minister Mustafa Abushagur has been removed from office by a vote of no-confidence. The security situation remains precarious, as a campaign to disarm the militias continues to make halting progress. More information from Hanspeter Mattes of the GIGA Institute of Middle East Studies
By Hanspeter Mattes
Crisis between Turkey and Syria

The Battleground Expands

Despite the shelling by Syria of the Turkish border village of Akcakale, Ankara is avoiding any direct military intervention in Syria without Western or Arab backing. The government has decided instead to work towards setting up safe zones for the opposition on Syrian territory, in an attempt to further destabilise the regime in Damascus. By Thomas Seibert in Istanbul
By Thomas Seibert
US Strikes People's Mujahedin of Iran off Terror List

The Schizophrenia of US Foreign Policy

The People's Mujahedin of Iran was one of the leading participants of the 1979 Revolution in Iran. For years the militant revolutionary organization was on the US list of terrorist organizations. Now the ban is suddenly lifted. Stephan Buchen on a bizarre episode of US Foreign Policy
By Stefan Buchen
Protests in the Palestinian Territories

A Belated Arab Spring for Palestine?

Demonstrations by thousands of Palestinians against rising food and fuel prices have alarmed the rulers in Ramallah: the government of Salam Fayyad is coming under increasing pressure as people demand explanations for the country's ongoing economic plight. Is Palestine on the brink of an upheaval like the Arab Spring that swept through other countries in the region? By Fabian Schmidmeier
By Fabian Schmidmeier
US Response to the Riots in the Muslim World

Don't Set the Wrong Example

September saw an outburst of anger across much of the Muslim world in response to a propaganda video that made fun of the Prophet Mohammed. Cartoons that followed added fuel to the fire. So far, the reaction of Western governments has been appropriate. The US, however, must not now repeat past mistakes and start hunting terrorists in Libya. A commentary by Hans Dembowski
By Hans Dembowski
Protests in Jordan

A Small Kingdom with Big Problems

While the eyes of the world are fixed on the escalating violence in Syria, across the border in Jordan, the country's ongoing economic problems threaten to trigger a full-blown political crisis. Dissatisfaction among the population is growing, and criticism of the king is getting louder. Nader Alsarras reports
By Nader Alsarras
Special Envoy Lakhdar Brahimi in Syria

Mission Impossible?

While in Damascus, Special Envoy Lakhdar Brahimi also met with representatives of the National Coordination Committee for Democratic Change – a domestic Syrian opposition coalition that is opposed to violent revolution. Details by Peter Steinbach in Damascus
By Peter Steinbach
Anti-Islamic Film Riots

A Culture of Religious Fanaticism

Responses to the inflammatory anti-Islamic film currently seen in Arab and Muslim nations are much worse than the film itself. These expressions of extremism are destroying all decency and civilised behaviour. A commentary by Khaled Hroub
By Khaled Hroub
Protests across the Muslim World

The West Will Have to Readjust Its Focus

Protests against an anti-Islam film originating in the US are spreading across Muslim countries. Western powers will have to reconsider their policies toward volatile Arab regions, experts say. Sabina Casagrande reports
Protests across the Muslim World

''Deep mistrust towards the West''

Anti-Western protests often arise suddenly in Arab countries, says historian and Arab world specialist Henner Fürtig. However, he doubts the current outbreak was coordinated by al Qaeda
By Anne Allmeling
Protests against Mohammed film in the Arab World

Adding Grist to the Salafists' Mill

This is the latest episode of an ongoing saga that sees both western Islamophobes and Arab Salafists upping the ante. It began with a film produced in the US and viewed as a provocation by Muslims, and ended provisionally with four dead at the US consulate in Benghazi. Details from Karim El-Gawhary in Cairo
By Karim El-Gawhary
Egypt President Morsi

Consolidating Power

Egypt's President Morsi is consolidating his power by removing remnants of the military leadership. His critics accuse him of running an authoritarian state; however, the Muslim Brotherhood dismisses those claims. Matthias Sailer reports
By Matthias Sailer