Politics

Elections in Egypt

Economy Trumps Religion

Egyptians head to the polls to elect a new president this week. Unlike last year's parliamentary elections, economic issues – not religious ones – are foremost on voters' minds. Kersten Knipp reports
By Kersten Knipp
Interview with Mustafa Barghouti

''This Society Does Not Want Extremism''

The Arab Spring is having an affect on the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. According to Mustafa Barghouti, a politician and civil liberties campaigner from Ramallah, it is also having an affect on internal Palestinian relations. He talked to Kersten Knipp
By Kersten Knipp
Salafists in Germany

Heading for ''Urban Terrorism''?

Until now, German public perception of the Salafists placed the phenomenon firmly on foreign soil. Recent events involving followers of this radical school of Islamic thought such as the distribution of copies of the Koran in German cities and violent clashes with police have raised some concerns, but how dangerous are the Salafists in reality? Answers from Albrecht Metzger
By Albrecht Metzger
First TV Debate before Presidential Elections in Egypt

Prime-time Cultural Revolution

A chapter of television and democracy history was written live before the eyes of millions of Egyptian TV viewers when for the first time candidates vied for the highest office of the land in a televised debate, Amr Moussa squaring off against Abdel Moneim Aboul Fotouh. By Karim El-Gawhary
By Karim El-Gawhary
Anders Behring Breivik and Islamophobia in Europe

The Capitulation of Mainstream Politics

In this essay, Paul Hockenos writes that it would be a mistake to dismiss Breivik's hate-drenched tirades as the outpourings of a madman and points to the fact that Islamophobia has been a staple of political discourse in European politics and an inspiration for the extreme right since 9/11. He calls for greater vigilance on the part of intelligence and security forces and stronger resistance from democratic parties in Europe
By Paul Hockenos
Democratisation Processes in Historic Comparison

Arab Nations Are No Longer Onlookers

In the view of Paul Salem, Director of the Carnegie Middle East Center in Beirut, Arab nations are assuming a leading role in the promotion of democratisation. They are no longer, as has been the case in past decades, just looking on from afar
By Paul Salem
Interview with the Algerian Journalist Adlène Meddi

The Illusion of Democratic Elections

"We don't really have a choice," says Algerian journalist Adlène Meddi about the elections for a new parliament that took place on 10 May. In his eyes, the ballot is set up to feign change while maintaining the status quo. Marlyn Touma spoke with Meddi in Algier
By Marlyn Touma
Interview with Tariq Ramadan

A Revolution in Suspense

According to the Islamic intellectual Tariq Ramadan, the revolutions in the Arab world are either unfinished or have not yet reached their goals. Ceyda Nurtsch spoke to him and asked him about the prospects for the popular uprisings and the nature of the protest movements
By Ceyda Nurtsch
Interview with Egyptian presidential candidate Khaled Ali

''I'm expecting a second revolutionary wave''

At aged 40, Khaled Ali is the youngest candidate standing in the Egyptian presidential elections. The left wing lawyer and human rights activist enjoys widespread support among the more disadvantaged members of society. Susanne Schanda met Khaled Ali at his Cairo office
By Susanne Schanda
Interview with the Pakistani Lawyer Mirza Shahzad Akbar

Fighting the Injustice of the US Drone Programme

Pakistani lawyer Mirza Shahzad Akbar defends victims of American drone strikes in the Waziristan region of Pakistan, not hesitating to press charges against employees of the CIA. Marcus Michaelsen spoke with him
By Marcus Michaelsen
Syria and ''The Responsibility to Protect''

Weighing the Arguments

The international community has accepted, in principle, the responsibility to protect people from suffering at the hands of their own governments. The decision to intervene in a conflict, however, cannot be taken by simply assessing facts. Counter-factual considerations matter very much. By Henning Melber
By Henning Melber
Minorities in Syria

United against Assad

Syria's minority groups, until now artificially divided, have united against the Assad regime. If wisely managed, this provisional union could lead to a lasting alliance. Kersten Knipp reports
By Kersten Knipp