Politics

Interview with Catherine Kintzler

"Sarkozy's 'Positive Laicism' Is a Political Error"

With his idea of a "positive laicism" the French president Nicolas Sarkozy has called into question his country's traditionally strict separation of religion and state. The philosopher Catherine Kintzler tells Rachid Boutayeb that she is critical of Sarkozy's position, and explains why she believes the principle of laicism ensures religious freedom
New Drive against Dissidents

The Greek Tragedy That Is Syria

The appearance of the Lebanese singer Fairuz in Damascus is a political issue. Should one pay the Syrian rulers the honour of singing for them? The controversy plays out against the backdrop of the arrests of prominent Syrian dissidents. Jan Marron with the details
Constitutional Reform in Turkey

Entrenched Fronts

In the Turkish parliament a package of constitutional and statutory amendments is currently under discussion. A central issue is whether the ban on wearing headscarves at the universities should be repealed, as Erdogan's ruling AKP Party has proposed. Günter Seufert reports from Istanbul
Interview with Fawwaz Traboulsi

A Collective History for Lebanon

Lebanon is characterized by complex confessional divisions. Now the Lebanese historian and political scientist Fawwaz Traboulsi wrote a collective and, unifying history book for all Lebanese. Mona Sarkis spoke with the author
Two Years after Hamas's Election Victory

Is the Movement Now Politically Irrelevant?

For years, the Palestinians were encouraged by Israel and the West to hold free and democratic elections. When they finally did so the result was not what had been hoped for: instead of the moderate PLO it was the Islamist Hamas movement which emerged as victor. Peter Philipp looks back
On the Death of the Indonesian Dictator Suharto

Shadow of the Past

Suharto had ruled Indonesia for 32 long years. Even now, the country is still bearing the weight of Suharto's legacy: a corrupt administration system and an overblown military. By Sybille Golte-Schröder
Book Review Ilan Pappé: "The Ethnic Cleansing of Palestine"

Not Just Collateral Damage

The Israeli historian Ilan Pappé takes a new look at the expulsion of the Palestinians in 1948. According to Pappé, the Palestinians' exodus was not an unfortunate side-effect of the war, but an act of ethnic cleansing planned long in advance. Martina Sabra reports on the book
The Iranian Nuclear Programme

Contradictory Strategies

The veto powers of the United Nations meeting with the German government in Berlin have agreed on a new UN resolution against Iran which will include a provision to "moderately strengthen" sanctions. Bahman Nirumand looks at the contradictions in policy towards Iran so far
First Anniversary of the Shooting of Hrant Dink

Article 301 and the Honour of the Turkish Nation

On 19 January 2007, the Turkish-Armenian journalist Hrant Dink was shot on the street in broad daylight. Article 301 played a considerable role in the events surrounding his murder. One year on, Ankara wants to amend the controversial article. Semiran Kaya reports from Istanbul
The Geopolitical Significance of the Gulf Region

The World's Gas Station

In geopolitical terms, the Gulf region has increased in importance over the last few years. The decisive factor in that process has been the presence of large oil and gas reserves in the area as well as its ambivalent relationship with Iran. Christian Koch looks at the rise of the six monarchies which make up the Gulf Cooperation Council
Alevis Distrust Erdogan's Offers

Turkish Alevis Demand Recognition

The new willingness of the Turkish government to talk to the Alevi minority in the country has met with mistrust from many of its members. Most of the Alevi organisations refused to accept an invitation to dinner issued by the prime minister, Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Andreas Gorzewski reports
Anti-Semitism in the Middle East

Not All Palestinians Were Pro-Nazi, Says German Historian

Historians have typically characterized Palestinians collectively as Hitler-supporters during the Nazi regime. But German researcher René Wildangel objects that they were more concerned with relations with an other European country. Sarah Mersch reports