Politics

Presidential Election in Yemen

An Experiment in Democracy

Yemen is voting for a successor to President Saleh, who was overthrown after months of protest. But the only candidate is the vice-president, Abed Rabbo Mansur Hadi. And how he can possibly turn into the "Saviour of Democracy" in Yemen remains a mystery. Birgit Svensson reports from Sanaa
By Birgit Svensson
One Year after the Revolt against Gaddafi

Still Firing in the Air

Life in Libya is currently determined by a confused mix of impenetrable power struggles, rebel chaos and unpaid debts of honour: Karim el-Gawhary has been in Tripoli
By Karim El-Gawhary
Interview with Andrea Teti

''The Arab Uprising Was Not about Liberal Democracy''

A year ago Hosni Mubarak was toppled from power. A spirit of hope hung heavy in the air, however one year on people in Egypt are still struggling to come to terms with his legacy. Anne Almeling talked to Andrea Teti about the country's future
By Anne Allmeling
Turkey's Kurdish Policy

The Return of the Hardliners

Just a few years ago, it looked as if the government in Istanbul was embarking on a policy of reconciliation with Turkey's Kurdish population. But that dynamic of reform has long since stalled and trouble is brewing, as Ömer Erzeren reports
By Ömer Erzeren
Interview with Volker Perthes

''Nowhere Do I See a Theocracy in the Making''

In his book ‘The Uprising. The Arab Revolution and its Consequences', Volker Perthes analyses the situation in the Arab world. In this interview, he talks about the future of the Arab states and the role that the West can play in the democratisation process
By Volker Thomas
The Syrian Uprising

A People on the Brink

Media campaigns, machinations, a divided opposition, mistrust and a battle of egos. The Syrian regime is pitting citizen against citizen, and the danger of civil war is becoming increasingly acute. Albert Kadir reports from Damascus
By Albert Kadir
The Arab Spring and Political Change

Are Arabs Capable of Democracy?

The Arab states currently undergoing democratic change will most certainly encounter setbacks. Democracy is not something that can be practiced beforehand, such as under the protective care of a monarchy. Jan Kuhlmann argues why we should give the people in the Arab world the benefit of the doubt
By Jan Kuhlmann
After the Veto of the UN Resolution

Syria on the Brink of Civil War

Following Russia and China's veto of the UN resolution on Syria, the outlook for Syria is bleak. According to Andreas Zumach, both the harmful confrontation in the UN Security Council and the escalation of violence in Syria itself makes it seem highly unlikely that any effective help will come from outside the country
By Andreas Zumach
The Port Said Soccer Tragedy

Violence Was Not Accidental

More than 70 people dead; a thousand injured. That was the bloody outcome of riots in Egypt following a soccer game in Port Said. The violence was not an accident, says Loay Mudhoon
Political Prospects after the Arab Spring

At a Crossroads

In the opinion of the acclaimed Lebanese author Elias Khoury, after the toppling of the old regimes, Arab societies are now heading towards either lasting democratic change or a return to dictatorship by another name
By Elias Khoury
Interview with George Ishak

''We Need a New Revolution''

George Ishak, founder of the ‘Kifaya’ movement against former President Hosni Mubarak, is confident that the Egyptian people will not allow themselves to be dictated by the military in the long term. Joseph Mayton spoke to him
By Joseph Mayton
After the Egyptian Parliamentary Elections

Religion Rules Victorious

The elections to the lower house of Egypt's new parliament ended in mid-January. The result was a faith-based landslide that will leave its mark on the country's yet-to-be-drafted constitution. According to Ronald Meinardus, it remains to be seen what role the military will play in the country's future
By Ronald Meinardus