Politics

Interview with Sari Nusseibeh

"Human Values Unite, Religious Values Divide!"

The prominent Palestinian professor of philosophy Sari Nusseibeh appeals for pragmatic solutions of the Middle East conflict – especially for the refugee problem. An interview by Mohanan Hamed and Adham Manasreh
Opinion

Gadhafi's Checkbook Diplomacy

Berlin and Libya have reached a deal on compensation for victims of the 1986 La Belle disco bombing, which left three dead and 200 injured, but a confession is still not forthcoming. A commentary by Peter Philipp
Libya

Did Economic Sanctions Incite Political Change?

According to reports, in the case of Iraq economic sanctions have cost the lives of thousands. But if the words of Libya's Secretary General Ghanem can be given any credence, they have lead to Tripoli opening up to the West and free market reforms. Erik Campano has the report
Interview with Volker Perthes

Hopeful Signs for the Middle East

The conflicting parties in Lebanon agreed on a compromise for the future division of power; Syria and Israel have started peace talks. In this interview with Abed Othman, Volker Perthes talks about current developments and the interdependencies of Mideast politics
Lebanese Peace Deal in Doha

Doubts about the Stability of the Compromise Are Justified

The pro-Western government in Lebanon and Hezbollah have reached an agreement on the formation of a new government and a new electoral law. Peter Philipp is skeptical
Political and Economic Crisis in Yemen

On the Brink

Fighting in the north, food riots, and shocking child marriages are currently drawing media attention to an obviously unstable country which has long been heading for collapse. Philipp Schweers reports from Sana'a
Israel's 60th Anniversary

Success Story and Security-Related Challenges

Security policy and demographic processes are the greatest challenges facing Israeli democracy today. An analysis by Martin Beck
Political Crisis in Pakistan

Opportunistic Intrigues

The Muslim League's attempts to quit the government as a protest against the People's Party's refusal to reinstate the judges sacked by President Musharraf last year have been rejected by Pakistan's PM. A commentary by Thomas Bärthlein
Israel at 60

A Home Found, a Home Lost

Avital Ben Chorin was born in the German city of Eisenach, but found a new home in Israel. The Bedouin Abu Sitta family, on the other hand, lost its home when the state of Israel was created. Bettina Marx on the different emotions 1948 stirs up in different people
Islam and the Modern Nation State

Battle of Identities

"Islam and the modern nation state" was the title of a conference held in Berlin, Germany. Experts and academics there discussed the significance of the concept of secularism for Muslim societies. Felix Engelhardt and Hicham Boutouil were among the attendees
Israel Turns 60

A History of a Conflict

May 14 marks the 60th anniversary of the founding of the state of Israel. While Arabs call the day "the catastrophe," many Israelis aren't in the mood to celebrate. A look back on six decades of dreams and nightmares. Peter Philipp reports
The Islamic Jihad Union

Willing Terrorists from Germany

The Islamic Jihad Union, an offshoot of the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan, advocates the systematic internationalisation of "Holy War" and has aligned itself with the Taliban in Afghanistan and al-Qaida at international level. Guido Steinberg analyses this little-known terrorist group