Politics

The Arab League's Observer Mission in Syria

Staring into the Abyss

An effective way of exerting pressure, or nothing but a farce? Still in the early stages, or has it already failed? Many different questions are being raised overseas about the Arab League's observer mission to Syria, and the answers given by Syrians on the ground are equally varied. Hubertus Ecker has been finding out more in Damascus
By Hubertus Ecker
Interview with Haitham al-Maleh

''We Want the Syrian Regime to Be Further Isolated''

The Syrian human rights lawyer Haitham al-Maleh is calling on the international community to increase pressure on the Assad regime. Martina Sabra spoke to him about the West's sanctions policy, the Arab League's observer mission and the prospects for the Syrian uprising
By Martina Sabra
Interview with Ali al-Jallawi

''Bahrain Has No Future under This Government''

Bahraini writer poet and writer Ali al-Jallawi criticizes his country's government, which he blames for stoking inter-confessional conflict and suppressing the democracy movement
By Birgit Kurz, Abdelrahman Ammar
France's Controversial Law on Armenia

Empoisoned Relations

Trouble is brewing between Paris and Ankara: After the lower house of the French parliament recently passed a bill making denial of the Armenian genocide that took place during the First World War a criminal offence, Turkey's Prime Minister Erdogan is accusing the French government of racism, discrimination and anti-Muslim sentiment. Bernard Schmid reports
By Bernhard Schmid
Interview with Mustafa Barghouti

Palestinians and the Path of Peaceful Resistance

Mustafa Barghouti is Secretary-General of the Palestinian National Initiative "Al Mubadara". He believes that the Middle East peace process has failed and that Palestinians must now choose the path of peaceful resistance. But what exactly does that entail? Muhannad Hamed spoke with Mustafa Barghouti in Ramallah
By Muhannad Hamed
2011 in the Arab World

No Reason to Fear the Democratic Experiment

Will the Arab Spring end in an Islamist-dominated, backward-looking, grey winter? Despite the Islamists' recent successes in the first free elections in the Arab world, Loay Mudhoon feels that this is unlikely to be the case
By Loay Mudhoon
Iraq after the Withdrawal of US Troops

A ''Stable'' Country Teetering on the Brink

After the withdrawal of the Americans from Iraq, the governing coalition in Baghdad is imploding, the dispute between Shia and Sunni is escalating and several provinces are striving for autonomy. Birgit Svensson reports from Baghdad
By Birgit Svensson
Protests in Egypt

Hoping for the ''Second Revolution''

Despite the first round of elections in Egypt, violence has escalated in recent weeks with young protesters clashing violently with the military. Egyptians are divided on the subject of the protests: some feel that the military must be forced to let go of the reins of power, while others yearn for peace and stability. Joseph Mayton sends us these observations from Cairo
By Joseph Mayton
Israeli–Iranian Relations

Demagogues Sounding the Alarm

Since the publication of the latest IAEA report, which indicates more clearly than ever Iran's intention to build nuclear weapons, the sabre-rattling in Tehran and Jerusalem has got louder. Threatening gestures on both sides are nothing new, but the fact that they are also the product of internal turf wars in both camps is often overlooked. Joseph Croitoru sheds some light on the matter
By Joseph Croitoru
Interview with the Egyptian Activist Bouthaina Kamel

''The Revolution Is Not Over as Long as the Military Rules''

The Egyptian journalist and presidential candidate Bouthaina Kamel is making serious allegations against the Egyptian military council, which she does not believe will hand over power after the elections. Ahmed Obeida spoke to her about these and other aspects of the situation in Egypt
By Ahmed Obeida
Interview with Fouad Abdelmoumni

''The Islamists Are Astonishingly Open''

Morocco's parliamentary elections on 25 November 2011 were won by the moderate Islamist Justice and Development Party (PJD). So what are the challenges facing the new government? And what does the future hold for the "20 February" protest movement? Martina Sabra discussed these questions with the human rights activist Fouad Abdelmoumni
By Martina Sabra
International Sanctions Against Syria

''A Declaration of Economic War''

The brutal crackdown on the anti-government protest movement in Syria prompted the international community and the Arab League to impose economic sanctions on the country. But just how effective are such measures? By Anja Zorob and Salam Said
By Anja Zorob, Salam Said