Politics

Egypt's Presidential Election Run-off

Making the Best of a Bad Lot

With parliament dissolved, Egyptians find themselves caught between a rock and a hard place ahead of the imminent run-off for the presidency. For many, neither ex-Air Force leader Ahmed Shafiq nor the Muslim Brotherhood's Mohamed Mursi represent a credible choice. Claudia Mende reports from Cairo
By Claudia Mende
Interview with Ahmed Maher of the 6th April Movement

''A victory for Ahmed Shafik would be the end of the revolution''

The results of the first round of the Egyptian presidential elections have been greeted with scepticism by the country's revolutionary youth. Nader Alsarras spoke to Ahmed Maher, one of the prominent founders of the 6th April youth movement, about the power of the generals and political perspectives in his country
By Nader Alsarras
The Syrian Dissident Walid al-Bunni

''In a Revolution You Don't Have Much Time''

Walid al-Bunni is a prominent Syrian human rights activist and opponent of the Assad regime. In the light of the civil war going on in his homeland he calls for foreign intervention – and says the Syrian opposition must now reposition itself. Karim El-Gawhary met him in Cairo
By Karim El-Gawhary
Tension in Lebanon

In the Shadow of the Syrian Revolution

The violence that has been raging in Syria for over a year now is increasingly fanning the flames of religious and political tension in neighbouring Lebanon, where armed clashes have broken out in recent weeks. Sabina Casagrande spoke to Rouzbeh Parsi of the European Union Institute for Security Studies in Paris about the origins of the conflict
By Sabina Casagrande
Syria after the Houla Massacre

The Long Road to a ''Yemeni Solution''

In view of the hopelessness of the Syrian conflict, several nations are now considering a "Yemeni solution": a negotiated, temporary transition of power to a representative of Assad and the exile of the president as a way of initiating genuine national dialogue. By Volker Perthes
By Volker Perthes
Verdict in the Mubarak Trial

The Ancien Regime Absolves Itself of Guilt

A court in Cairo has sentenced Egypt's ousted president, Hosni Mubarak, to life imprisonment. This means that the 84-year-old is the first Arab ruler to be held to account for orders given during the Arab Spring. But the verdict leaves more questions unanswered than answered. Matthias Sailer takes a closer look at the verdict and what it means for Egypt
By Matthias Sailer
Interview with the Syrian writer Samar Yazbek

''The Syrian revolution has not lost its innocence''

From her desk in Paris, the Syrian writer Samar Yazbek is fighting for the freedom of her people. Khalid El Kaoutit spoke to her about the tenacity of the Syrian regime, the brutality of its secret police and a people which has risen up for democracy
By Khalid El Kaoutit
Portrait of the Egyptian Lawyer Gamal Eid

''Revolutions aren't led by polite people''

Egypt still has a long way to go before it can be regarded as a state adhering to the rule of law. Gamal Eid from the Arabic Network for Human Rights Information accuses the Military Council of committing serious human rights abuses. Claudia Mende introduces the combative lawyer
By Claudia Mende
Political Perspectives after the Massacre in Syria

Time for Plan B

The Houla massacre signals the definitive failure of the peace accord drawn up by Kofi Annan, the joint UN and Arab League special envoy to Syria. Now, the only alternative is a peace mission to Syria agreed by all five veto powers on the UN Security Council. Commentary by Andreas Zumach
By Andreas Zumach
Presidential Elections in Egypt

A Duel That Nobody Wanted

The Egyptian presidential poll enters its second phase: On 16 and 17 June Egyptians must decide between the rather colourless and uncharismatic Islamist Mohamed Mursi and Ahmed Shafik, an overt representative of the old regime. An analysis by Thomas Demmelhuber
By Thomas Demmelhuber
Egyptian Blogger Maikel Nabil Sanad

''The Elections Are a Deception''

"The presidential elections are not free and democratic," says Egyptian human rights activist Maikel Nabil Sanad, who was arrested and imprisoned and freed in January following widespread international protest. By Bettina Marx
By Bettina Marx
Egyptian Presidential Candidate Hamdeen Sabahi

From Outlier to Serious Contender

Up until recently, the chances of Hamdeen Sabahi were considered slim. But new polls suggest the left-leaning social activist is now one of the top contenders for the presidential office. Joseph Mayton met up with the idiosyncratic politician in Cairo
By Joseph Mayton