Politics

Turkey's Election Campaigns

In Awe of Erdogan

Prime Minister Erdogan can look forward to the parliamentary elections on 12 June with composure: his Islamic AKP currently has between 45 and 50 percent support in the polls. The opposition appears uninspired and politically beleaguered. Details from Thomas Seibert in Istanbul
By Thomas Seibert
Roots of Terrorism in Pakistan

Split Identity

Pakistan is suffering from Islamist extremism. In Pakistan's history, manipulation of the faith for political purposes has deep roots. By Mohammad Ali Khan
By Mohammad Ali Khan
The Arab Spring

The Scope of Revolution

Unlike most of the Arab World, Tunisia and Egypt have a pronounced sense of national identity. In other countries, religious, ethnic and tribal loyalties tend to be stronger. For this reason, many observers believe that largely peaceful revolutions as witnessed in Tunis and Cairo would be impossible in most other Arab countries. Martin Beck of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation disagrees
By Hans Dembowski
Interview with Hamid Dabashi

''Another People Now Is Redefining the Idea of Democracy''

In this interview with Miriam Shabafrouz, Hamid Dabashi talks about the democratic uprisings in North Africa and the Middle East, their chances of success, their impact on geopolitics and on the global media
By Miriam Shabafrouz
Uprisings in Syria

''The People Want to Topple the Regime''

The protests in Syria are spreading like wildfire. The state is monitoring all journalists and suspects every foreigner of being a potential conspirator. And the secret police are hunting down demonstrators. Svenja Andersson reports from Damascus
By Svenja Andersson
After Bin Laden's Death

Time to Talk to the Taliban?

The killing of al Qaeda's leader dealt a major blow to the terrorist network. Now the time is ripe, a leading Afghanistan expert and Germany's diplomatic point man agree, for the West to talk to the Taliban. Jefferson Chase reports
Salafists and the Arab Spring

Fears of Rising Extremism in Egypt's Power Vacuum

As secular and Islamic groups prepare for Egypt's first free elections later this year, the unchecked rise of the Islamist Salafi sect is causing concern among Egyptians who fear its violent extremist agenda. Nick Amies reports
By Nick Amies
Minorities in the Islamic Republic

Fear of Separatists

In the multi-ethnic nation that is Iran, religious and ethnic minorities suffer discrimination at the hands of the regime. In his essay, Faraj Sarkohi describes the tense relationship between representatives of minorities and the Shia-dominated state
By Faraj Sarkohi
Gaddafi's Libya

An All-time Low

With support for him on the wane in Libya, Muammar Gaddafi sees the division of his country as his best chance of holding on to power – cost his people what it may. An analysis from Tripoli by Stefan Buchen
By Stefan Buchen
Interview with Christian Wagner

''Pakistan is Certainly Not a Terrorist State''

Since the targeted raid that killed Osama Bin Laden, a growing number of people in the US have been calling for a freeze on all financial aid for Pakistan. In this interview, Christian Wagner, an expert on South Asian affairs, speaks of the dangers of taking such a step
By Sandra Petersmann
Reactions to the Death of Bin Laden from the Arab World

An End to the Confrontation?

The killing of Bin Laden has been met with great relief primarily in Islamic countries with Shia populations, where it has also given rise to the hope that the rift between Sunni and Shia Muslims could now be diminished. Birgit Svensson reports
By Birgit Svensson
Violent Crushing of Protests in Syria

A Case for International Intervention?

With the crackdown on pro-democracy protests in Syria showing no sign of abating, the international community is reluctant to follow the same path to intervention that it took when dealing with the situation in Libya. By Nick Amies