Politics

One Year after the Division of Sudan

Old Conflicts within New Borders

A year after gaining independence, South Sudan is still a long way off achieving any democratic change or securing a lasting peace. The nation is also threatened by economic collapse after ceasing oil production, in a conflict with Sudan that continues to dog economically and strategically important border regions. By Annett Hellwig
By Annett Hellwig
Protests against the Palestinian Authority

''The People Want to Bring down Oslo''

Following a number of demonstrations in Ramallah, some of them brutally crushed by Palestinian police, the political future of occupied Palestinian territories is again thrown into question. By René Wildangel
By René Wildangel
Libya after the Parliamentary Elections

Precarious and Unstable

The first free elections to be held in Libya for over half a century took place at the weekend. Even if they were free and fair, the challenges facing the country are daunting, to say the least. According to the Libyan political scientist Mustafa el-Fituri, the failures of Libya's interim government have led to a lack of stability and growing divisions in society
By Mustafa Fetouri
Egypt's Democratic Perspectives

A Shroud for the Revolution?

Egypt's revolutionaries have scotched the military agenda by throwing their weight behind Muslim Brotherhood candidate Mohamed Morsi, says renowned Egyptian author Mansoura Ez-Eldin. But if they are to again seize the political initiative, they must now regroup and revise their strategy to date.
By Mansoura Ez-Eldin
The Palestinian Minority in Israel

Systematic Discrimination

The Israeli government and its advocacy groups like to boast of the country's supposed democratic, multicultural way of life. In reality, Palestinians in Israel experience systematic discrimination in such a way that calls into question the validity of the "Jewish and democratic" formulation. By Ben White
By Ben White
Turkey's Foreign Policy

From Regional to Global Player

With its growing political influence, Turkey is seeking a stronger role in world politics. However, its domestic political problems, as well as regional crises, pose major challenges to its foreign policy ambitions. By Ayhan Simsek
By Ayhan Simsek
Libya after the Revolution

Struggle for Inner Peace

Libya got rid of its dictator months ago. But numerous insurgent groups refuse to hand over their arms. They are trying to wrest special rights from the interim government which is grappling with its hold on power. By Kersten Knipp
The Election of Mohamed Morsi in Egypt

A President without Power

In the end, fears of a popular backlash were just too great: Egypt's military council was forced to sacrifice its favourite Ahmed Shafiq to safeguard its extensive economic and political interests. But the powers of the new president remain reduced to the bare minimum. An analysis by Matthias Sailer in Cairo
By Matthias Sailer
Interview with Andreas Jacobs

Egypt in the Grip of the Generals

Even under the newly-elected President Mohamed Mursi, Egypt's old regime remains highly influential and will likely control the Nile nation in future, says Andreas Jacobs, who led the Cairo office of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation until late May. Björn Zimprich spoke to him
By Björn Zimprich
The Muslim Brotherhood's Morsi Egypt's New President

Damned to Cooperation

Mohammed Morsi is becoming Egypt's first democratically elected president under enormously difficult circumstances. He will have to find a way to cooperate with all political powers, says Loay Mudhoon
By Loay Mudhoon
Constitutional Developments in North Africa

Forced into Compromise

Conflict is raging in several Arab Spring nations over the drafting of new constitutions and the importance of Sharia within basic law. Annett Hellwig discussed the issues at stake with Tunisian legal scholar Imen Gallala-Arndt from the Max Planck Institute for Comparative and International Private Law in Hamburg
By Annett Hellwig
Egypt after the Presidential Election

The Military Hands over Power ... to Itself

For most people in Egypt, it was at best unlikely that the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces would ever voluntarily cede power to a civilian president after the election. Nevertheless, few would have predicted the latest twist in the plot of Egypt's ongoing electoral drama. A commentary by Karim El-Gawhary
By Karim El-Gawhary