Politics

Interview with Abdul Aziz Al-Khamis

Saudi Arabia Doomed to Renewal

The women of Saudi Arabia will be allowed to vote for the first time in 2015. Why not already today in the current local elections? Abdelmoula Boukhraiss discussed this topic with the well-known Saudi Arabian civil rights activist and journalist Abdul Aziz Al-Khamis in London
By Abdelmoula Boukhraiss
Palestinian Refugees in Lebanon

Bequeathed Refugee Status

The Palestinian plan to get the United Nations General Assembly to recognise Palestine as an independent state on the basis of the 1967 borders is greeted with mixed feelings by Palestinian refugees in Lebanon. Mona Naggar sends us this report from the Palestinian refugee camp Ain El Helweh
By Mona Naggar
Democracy and Rule of Law in Egypt

Momentum towards a ''Revolution of Reason''

In the same way that the Egyptian revolution of 1919 initiated an epochal transformation, this year's popular revolt of 25 January provides an opportunity to raise public awareness in Egypt on how important it is for a modern culture to uphold the rule of law, says the Egyptian journalist Azmi Ashour
By Azmi Ashour
Algeria and Gaddafi's Libya

Cordial Relations

Algeria has not only offered a safe haven for members of the Gaddafi clan, but also been openly critical of the rebels in Libya. Jefferson Chase investigates the relationship between two dictatorial neighbouring states
Interview with Mustafa el-Labbad

''Turkey Regards the Assad Regime as Finished''

The visit by Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu to Syria has shown that Turkey is attempting to increase pressure on the Assad regime. Abduljamil Mikhlafi spoke with Mustafa el-Labbad, an expert on Turkish-Arab relations, on the thinking behind the Turkish position with respect to the current uprising in Syria
By Abduljamil Mikhlafi
Iraq on the Eve of American Withdrawal

Discord in Kirkuk

What began in 2003 as "Operation Iraqi Freedom" seems to be ending in Kirkuk in an operation to restore security. Eight years after American troops invaded, the city has become the centre of a divisive internal struggle for control. A report by Rigien Bagekany
By Rigien Bagekany
The Battle for Tripoli

Libya's Zero Hour

As rebels secure military control of Gaddafi's compound in the capital, Tripoli, the fate of the old regime would appear to be sealed. Among the Libyan people, joy at the now very real prospect of an end to the dictator's reign of terror is great. Alfred Hackensberger reports from Tripoli
By Alfred Hackensberger
Relations between Christians and Muslims in the New Egypt

Civil Society Instead of Confessionalism

The epochal transformations in the Arab world offer a historic opportunity for Muslims and Christians in these countries – and especially in Egypt – to establish a new, constitutional foundation for their relations. A commentary by Loay Mudhoon
By Loay Mudhoon
Islamist Protests in Cairo Question Fate of Arab Spring

Consolidating Egyptian Democracy

Paul Salem writes that there is no consensus about the Arab Spring's second stage – choosing a new system of government and society – but the only way forward is to move rapidly toward free and fair elections
By Paul Salem
Interview with Burhan Ghalioun

''The Syrian People Want Unity, Freedom, and a Civilian State''

In this interview, Syrian opposition figure and Professor of Political Sociology at the Sorbonne, Burhan Ghalioun argues that the Syrian revolution has broken the backbone of the ruling regime in Syria
Interview with Bacharuddin Jusuf Habibie

''Foreign Aid Helped Us Get on Our Own Feet''

As president of Indonesia, Bacharuddin Jusuf Habibie facilitated the democratisation of his country after May 1998. His autocratic predecessor Suharto had resigned in view of a huge protest movement. In an interview, Habibie recently shared his experiences with Hans Dembowski. Some of his insights may prove useful in Arab countries like Egypt
Resistance to the Assad Regime

Iron Hand and Bloody Reform

The brutality of the crackdown against the democracy movement in Syria is a reminder that the iron hand of the regime squeezes the life out of any potential reforms at birth – respected Syrian writer Fawwaz Haddad reports from Damascus
By Fawwaz Haddad