Politics

Arab Reactions to Bin Laden's Death

Al Qaida – A Lost Cause?

Reactions to the killing of Osama Bin Laden in the Arab region were mainly reserved. The current focus there is more on the rebellions against authoritarian rulers, as Loay Mudhoon reports
By Loay Mudhoon
Political Change in the Middle East

The Reordering of the World

No-one yet knows what the course and the outcome of the processes of change in the Arab world will be. That being said, it is becoming clear whose star is rising and whose is not. Above all, it seems likely that Turkey's political influence is set to increase. Volker Perthes analyses current developments
By Volker Perthes
Interview with Lebanese Political Scientist Khattar Abou Diab

Vying for Supremacy in the Gulf

Relations between Iran and its Arab neighbours have reached an all time low following the military intervention by the Arab Gulf states in Bahrain. But, warns Lebanese political scientist Khattar Abou Diab, it is unlikely that tensions can be contained at the diplomatic level should any further escalation occur. He talks here to Tarek Anegay
By Tarek Anegay
Education and Democracy in Tunisia

An Ideology-free Sphere in the Shadow of Dictatorship

The curriculum in Tunisian schools and universities was remarkably progressive, even under the dictatorship of Ben Ali, because it wasn't exploited for political purposes. In an interview with Qantara.de, Najib Abdelmoulah explains to what extent the relatively good level of education led to the democratic revolt
By Susanne Kröhnert-Othman, Sarhan Dhouib
NATO Options in Libya

A Moral and Military Dilemma

NATO's mission in Libya has now lasted five weeks, and there are no signs of an ending yet. With the alliance coming under more pressure with each passing day, is a quick and acceptable withdrawal still possible? Sandra Petersmann looks into the matter
By Sandra Petersmann
Interview with Ralf Melzer

''Tunisia's Reform Process Is On Track''

After the peaceful revolution, Tunisia not only has to cope with reconstruction, but also with the influx of refugees from neighbouring Libya. Considering the circumstances, the Tunisians are coping surprisingly well, says Ralf Melzer
By Eleonore von Bothmer
Egypt's Army and the People

An Unusual Alliance

In late March, a large majority of Egyptians voted for constitutional amendments, the military had proposed, even though these amendments did not fulfil opposition demands. The referendum proved that, while the people may be uncomfortable with the top brass, they do have faith in the military in general. By Salua Nour
By Salua Nour
Libyan Investment in Africa

A Time to Wean

As part of his pan-African vision, Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi has invested heavily in businesses and projects across the continent. But as upheaval rages in the country, the future of those investments is uncertain. By Salamata Saenger
Interview with Aboubakr Jamaï

"The Moroccan Regime Is Corrupt and Incapable of Reform"

Aboubakr Jamaï is one of the most prominent representatives of Morocco's independent press. He speaks about his criticism, not only of the Moroccan government, but also of the role of Europe and the USA
The Arabs and the Libyan Intervention

Don't Steal Our Revolution!

The Arab democracy movement sets great store by its independence and now fears that the intervention in Libya will come with a high price tag: it could rob their protest of its legitimacy. Layla Al-Zubaidi comments
Eli Berman's "New Economics of Terrorism"

Religious Fanatics as Rational Actors

Drawing on parallel research on radical religious Jews, Christians and Muslims, Eli Berman argues that terrorists can be understood as rational altruists. His approach offers new, rational countermeasures. By James M. Dorsey
Interview with Sadiq Jalal al-Azm

A New Spirit of Revolution

Sadiq Jalal al-Azm is among the most critical of Arab thinkers. In an interview with Mona Naggar he sheds light on the role of intellectuals during the Arab Spring and the current state of protest movements in the region
By Mona Naggar