Politics

The Viability of a Palestinian State

Obstacles on the Rocky Road to Statehood

The Palestinians want their own independent state. Palestine was made a full member of UNESCO in October and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has applied for full UN membership. But would a Palestinian state even be viable? By Anne Allmeling
Iran's Controversial Nuclear Programme

Tehran's Visions versus Nuclear Realities

Iran's nuclear programme has been a focus of international concern for over a decade now. From the very start, more has been at issue here than mere technical details or international law as it applies to the programme. Playing the main role instead are ideological positions and geo-strategic interests. An analysis by Walter Posch
By Walter Posch
Protests in Jordan

Crumbling Taboos

At first glance, the political situation in Jordan would appear to be stable. Beneath the surface, however, the unrest in the Hashemite kingdom is growing. Although King Abdullah has reacted to the pressure from the streets by appointing a new prime minister, the country is still waiting for real reforms. By Claudia Mende
By Claudia Mende
Morocco Prepares for Parliamentary Elections

Superficial Respect for the Will of the People

Voter turnout in Morocco's early parliamentary elections on 25 November is expected to be low. A major reason for this is widespread disaffection among the young, who feel ignored by existing parties. In its eyes, the establishment is nothing but a "façade democracy". By Sonja Hegasy
By Sonja Hegasy
The Reaction of Egyptian Politicians to the Elections in Tunisia

''Egypt Is Not Tunisia! Or Is It?''

While members of the former regime in Egypt never tire of saying that the political situations in Egypt and Tunisia cannot be compared, others believe that the Tunisian result could foreshadow certain aspects of the outcome of the upcoming election in Egypt. Hani Darwish takes a closer look at three very different Egyptian political viewpoints
By Hani Darwish
Tunisia after the Elections

Ennahda and the Challenges of Democracy

In the recent Tunisian elections, the Islamist Ennahda party ended up way ahead of its competitors. The Tunisian philosopher Jameleddine Ben Abdeljelil says the way the party has developed internally makes it possible that it will be able to play a constructive role in a pluralistic and democratic system
By Jameleddine Ben Abdeljelil
The Islamist Election Victory in Tunisia

Ennahda – Asset or Threat?

Tunisia's Islamist Renaissance Party is the strongest force in the constituent assembly. No secular party has even come close to winning as many seats. The victory of ‘Ennahda’ has alarmed those who are in favour of a liberal Tunisia.
By Sigrid Faath
Ziad Majed on Islamism and the Arab Spring

''The Term Islamist Doesn't Mean Anything Anymore''

The Arab Spring is the first democratic revolution in an entire region since 1989. What are the common denominators? Lebanese lecturer and activist Ziad Majed provides some surprising answers in this interview.
By Jefferson Chase
Full UNESCO Membership for Palestine

A Small, Albeit Costly, Victory

Despite opposition from the US, Palestine has been accepted as a full member by UNESCO. On Monday, 107 members voted in favour, 14 voted against and 52 abstained. It was the right decision say Bettina Marx
By Bettina Marx
Interview with Layla Al-Zubaidi on Syria

Identity Issues Are Detrimental

After seven months of military repression, Syria's protest movement is still bravely confronting the government of Bashar al-Assad. His despotic regime remains strong, but the opposition is not losing momentum either. In an interview with Hans Dembowski, Layla Al-Zubaidi of the Heinrich Böll Foundation assesses the situation
Popular Uprising in Yemen

Saleh, Enemy Number One

Politically speaking, the Yemeni opposition movement is extremely heterogeneous and therefore finds it difficult to act in concert. The only goal they all share is to bring about the resignation of the President. By Albrecht Metzger
By Albrecht Metzger
Libya after Gaddafi

Challenges and Opportunities

After the death of Muammar Gaddafi, Libya not only has an opportunity to embark on the path to a more democratic and prosperous future that its people crave but it also has many of the ingredients to get there. By Stefan Wolff
By Stefan Wolff