Politics

Parliamentary Elections in Egypt

No Chance for the Opposition

Although the Egyptian government promised free and fair elections, there were reports of electoral fraud or people being prevented from casting their votes. Violent clashes are said to have occurred at some polling stations. By Amira El Ahl
The Arabs and Nazi Germany

Collaborators and Antagonists

The involvement of Arabs with the 'Third Reich' has been much politicised. However, there were collaborators such as the notorious Grand Mufti of Jerusalem, but also Arab 'Schindlers', like the Tunisian Khaled Abdul-Wahab. By Sonja Hegasy
Turkey's Kurdish Conflict

Is There a Third Way?

As the PKK seeks negotiation with the government, Ankara is dragging its feet on the courageous reforms needed to solve Turkey's Kurdish problem. Meanwhile a third way, based on the civil society movement, is on the rise. Ayşe Karabat reports
NATO in Afghanistan

How to Negotiate with the Taliban

The war against the Taliban has been going on for nine years and NATO forces are easing up on their commitment. Is the time ripe to negotiate with the Taliban? And what would that mean? By Qamar-ul Huda
Forming a Government for Iraq

Proportional Representation: Democracy Iraqi Style

For months, establishing a balance between the various ethnic groups has made it difficult to form a government in Iraq. Not long after an agreement was reached, deep rifts became visible. By Birgit Svensson
Philosophy Congress in Iran

Assault on Free Thought

While UNESCO only resolved at the last minute to cancel its sponsorship of the World Philosophy Day Congress in Tehran, international calls for a boycott have focused attention on the rapidly deteriorating situation for the humanities in Iran. By Alessandro Topa
Interview with the Israeli War Reporter David Rubinger

"Better the Awful Truth than Beautiful Lies"

Israeli press photographer and war reporter David Rubinger (86) speaks about the magic of good images, the limits of freedom of the press and the chances for peace in the Middle East.
Indonesia Assesses the Legacy of Suharto

Dictator or National Hero?

Human rights activists say Indonesian President Suharto was a ruthless dictator, while others credit him with the country's economic upswing. Two years after the death of the long-time ruler, the nation has begun considering his legacy. By Jochen Buchsteiner
The Somali Islamist Group Al-Shabab

Striking Terror in the Horn of Africa

Its bomb attacks in Uganda and the recruitment of US citizens have propelled the Al-Shabab group into the international headlines. In fact it partly owes its existence to the intervention of Ethiopia and the US. By Alfred Hackensberger
Interview with Ahmed Rashid

In a Taliban Stranglehold

Born in 1948 in the Pakistan town of Rawalpindi, Ahmed Rashid is among the most sought-after experts on the Taliban, Afghanistan and his crisis-ravaged homeland. Ramon Schack asked him about the current problems in the region
End of Reforms in Bahrain

Muzzling Critical Thought

Bahrain was long considered the democratic pioneer in the Gulf region. In the run-up to the recent election to the lower house, however, the ruling dynasty unleashed a wave of arrests, targeting the country's Shi'ite opposition. By Hanna Labonté
Revelations about the War in Iraq

Bloody Wartime Brutality

Wikileaks has published close to 400,000 files documenting torture, abuse, and the arbitrary use of force during the war in Iraq. The leaks also document the murky intrigues of Shiite death squads and American security companies. By Birgit Svensson