Politics

Turkey's Foreign Policy

Moving away from the West?

Turkey's active involvement in the Middle East has revitalised the discussion on whether its foreign policy is moving towards a similar orientation. Ayşe Karabat reports
The Media and the Free Gaza Flotilla

Islamists or Freedom Heroes?

Some see it as a "freedom flotilla", others as a fleet full of violent Islamists. Arab and Western media for once showed the same pictures, but they still have entirely different ways of telling the story. Stephanie Doetzer looks at how the media covered the incident
Turkish-Israeli Relations

Strain on a Fragile Alliance

Relations between Turkey and Israel used to be close; now they are in a state of flux. This has only partly to do with the current conflict surrounding the Gaza aid convoy. The spectre of this discord has been waiting in the wings for quite some time, as Thomas Fuster explains in his analysis
Alliance of Civilizations

Intercultural Peace Forum or Talking Shop?

The UN's Alliance of Civilizations, a forum for intercultural and interreligious dialogue, met in Rio to discuss the current issues between Islam and the West. Some experts, however, question its usefulness. Nick Amies reports
Germany's Role in the Gulf Region

Building Bridges between Europe and the Gulf States

German foreign policy should seek to consolidate the country's long-term strategic co-operation with partners in the Gulf region. After all, without a more active foreign policy, Germany risks sliding into a position of political insignificance in the Gulf. Eberhard Sandschneider reports
Kemal Kilicdaroglu is Turkey's New Opposition Leader

Old Wine in New Bottles?

Following the resignation of the former CHP Chairman Deniz Baykal, the nationalist opposition is now placing its hopes in Kemal Kilicdaroglu. But is he also committed to a policy makeover for the politically torpid party? Answers from Dieter Sauter
Commentary on the Attack on the "Free Gaza" Convoy

Israel Barricades Itself against the World

With its attack on the "Free Gaza" aid convoy, Israel chose to take a dangerous solitary stance. This kind of "splendid isolation" could give rise to a "wagon barricade" mentality that would prevent the Israelis from shaping their country's future as a democratic nation. By Bettina Marx
Commentary by Amos Oz

The Gaza Flotilla and the Limits of Force

Israel has to quickly reach an agreement with the Palestinians on the establishment of an independent state in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, because Israel's problems cannot be solved by military force
By Amos Oz
Forming a Government in Iraq

Maliki's Disservice to Democracy

Iraq's incumbent Prime Minister al-Maliki is doing everything to remain head of government. Election victor Allawi looks on in disbelief on his dwindling chances of building a government while terrorists are taking advantage of the power vacuum. By Birgit Svensson
20 Years Unification in Yemen

Far Away, So Close

Yemen was divided for a very long time – with the north characterized by Islam and tribal structures, while socialism reigned in the south. In 2010, Yemenis, just like the Germans, celebrate 20 years of reunification. Klaus Heymach reports
Reform Efforts in Saudi Arabia

Increasing Scope of Discourse

Saudi Arabia is one of the most isolated countries in the world, yet in recent years there have been efforts of cautious reform, initiated from above. In this interview, Ulrike Freitag, Director of the Center for Modern Oriental Studies in Berlin, talks about the political changes occurring within the Saudi monarchy
Turkish-Greek Relations

Athens and Ankara Mark a Fresh Start

Two old foes, Greece and Turkey, vow to move relations forward by increasing cooperation on low profile politics. They hope that more trust will be created to prepare the groundwork to tackle thorny issues. Ayşe Karabat reports from Athens