Politics
Topics
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UN Conference against Racism in GenevaPointless In-Fighting
Before the UN anti-racism conference began in Geneva, Andreas Zumach felt that an international conference on the Middle East would be of more use than the conference against racism - the reasons he gave are no less topical now than they were then
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Interview with Volker Perthes
Iraqi Decision Makers under Pressure to Reach Consensus
President Obama intends to withdraw all US armed forces from Iraq by 2011 at the latest. According to political scientist Volker Perthes, this means that Iraq's various power elites are faced with the challenge of drafting shared, workable policies. Günther Birkenstock spoke to him
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Political Reforms in Libya
Revolutionary Rhetoric or Radical Change?
Last year, Colonel Gaddafi announced his intention to modernise the Libyan "state of the masses". At the recent General People's Congress, however, some of his decisions were rescinded, leaving widespread confusion among Libyans and experts alike. Beat Stauffer has the details
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Relations between India and Pakistan
"Islamabad Wants to Improve Relations with India"
Last November's terrorist attacks on Mumbai continue to put a strain on relations between India and Pakistan. According to Thomas Bärthlein, however, it would seem as if the situation is changing for the better
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Renewable Sources of Energy in the Middle East
Sunshine Instead of Crude Oil
An increasing number of states in the Middle East are turning to renewable sources of energy. The emirate of Abu Dhabi is spearheading efforts to make the use of solar energy more widespread with an ambitious environmentally friendly energy project that seeks to make Masdar a zero-carbon city. Michaela Paul reports
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Parliamentary Elections in Indonesia
Election Carnival in the Island Republic
In the country with the largest Muslim population in the world, Islamic parties play a small but decisive role, as Christina Schott reports from Yogyakarta
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Interview with Gilbert Achcar
Turning Away from a Strategy of Confrontation
Gilbert Achcar, professor of International Relations at the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London, talks about the effects of the recent Israeli campaign in Gaza and the chances of reviving the peace process under the Obama administration. Interview by Ali Fathollah-Nejad
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Moroccan-Iranian Diplomatic Crisis
Shiite Activities in the Maghreb?
Sunni Morocco accuses Teheran of fostering Shi'a activities inside its borders. Other countries with a Sunni majority that also feel threatened by Iran have formed an alliance with Morocco. Alfred Hackensberger details the background from Rabat
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Sixty Years of Turkish-Israeli Relations
Partnership in the Shadow of a Threat
Turkey and Israel mark the sixtieth anniversary of their diplomatic relations this year. Theirs has been a fruitful if conflict-ridden relationship. But there has been more than just the desire to make peace between the Israelis and the Arabs. Jan Felix Engelhardt looks back at the start of the relationship
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USA – Iran Relations
"Charm Offensive" to End the Ice Age
Obama's video message to the Iranians contained an appeal for renewed dialogue with Teheran's political leaders. But who would be the most likely candidate for entering into such a dialogue with Washington from the Iranian perspective? Answers from Katajun Amirpur in Teheran
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US Foreign Policy in Afghanistan
In Search of Moderate Taliban
It appears that President Obama's idea of entering into dialogue with so-called "moderate Taliban" has met with a surprisingly positive reaction. Although the idea was initially rejected categorically by those close to Mullah Omar, the Taliban would now appear to be ready to talk. Martin Gerner reports from Herat
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Obama's Iran Initiative
Washington and Tehran Should Focus on Common Interests
If the US and Iran start by focusing on common interests like the Middle East, they should be able to tackle the more controversial issues, says Peter Philipp. However, Tehran's ideologists are standing in the way
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